Media Relations Associate Director, Communications
Remote-based in the US
Overview
GoodPower builds durable political and civic power to unlock the full economic potential of the energy transition — lower bills, better jobs, healthier communities and a stronger economy that works for everyone.
We operate at the intersection of organizing, digital media, data science, smart tech and renewable energy advocacy — connecting public demand for lower costs and better jobs with decisive political and policy outcomes. Our programs reach millions of people annually to cut costs, create jobs and accelerate renewable deployment by shaping beliefs, behaviors and ballot-box outcomes.
GoodPower is at an exciting, pivotal moment as we launch our new strategic plan through 2030 to level up all areas of our work — growing our organization 5x over the next five years — and relentlessly honing our skills and expertise to be the best we can in transforming our renewable energy economy.
Job Summary
The Associate Director of Media Relations seeks to advance GoodPower’s work to accelerate a renewable energy economy by ensuring that we are effectively communicating our work in campaigns, research and technology development to media at the local, national and international level. The Associate Director translates our work into compelling stories, data and proof points that generate interest and excitement from traditional and new media reporters, opinion editors, communication teams at partner organizations, conference organizers and decision makers at other platforms we can use to amplify our work.
The Associate Director spearheads the creation of communication assets including press releases, statements, pitches and opinion pieces and then builds and maintains relationships with reporters, editors, influencers, and communications staff at partner organizations to get those products placed. The Associate Director will also work with other GoodPower staff in developing social media material, webinars, newsletters, reports and other communication tools, as well as contribute to the overall communication strategy behind product launches, events and campaigns.
This is a full time, remote position based anywhere in the United States. The Media Associate Director will work from home, meet regularly by video chat with GoodPower team members and conduct activities both online and in-person. The Associate Director must be available for regular travel within the United States to participate in conferences, select actions, events, and to attend staff retreats. This position reports to the Communications Director.
Key Responsibilities
- Media & Public Relations
- Working with the Communications Director, develop an earned media strategy for relevant GoodPower products.
- Tailor earned media strategies and messaging appropriately across GoodPower’s organizational entities and audiences, ensuring clarity, accuracy and message discipline in a complex advocacy and political environment.
- Write and pitch press releases for GoodPower campaign announcements, research findings, technology developments and other news.
- Identify and develop pitches to the media based on GoodPower work or observations in the energy sector to amplify GoodPower’s impact across key audiences.
- Identify, write and pitch opinion pieces from the CEO, other GoodPower staff or trusted voices in our partner network.
- Support rapid-response and high-salience communications moments by helping draft statements, talking points and media guidance during fast-moving or high-visibility news cycles.
- Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, influencers, communications staff at other organizations, conference organizers and others who can platform our work.
- Maintain a press list with regular cadence and tracking of media communications.
- Develop and maintain a list of media and other influencers to include in ads targeting in strategic advocacy campaigns and collaborate with the digital ads team to amplify wins to key audiences.
- Track media mentions and maintain the press page on the GoodPower website.
- Collaborate with Membership Mobilization Manager and social media team to leverage content across emails, social, and LinkedIn posts to create a regular cadence of posting on the blog.
- Executive Communications
- Follow key industry news and work with staff to identify trends in the renewable energy space to craft LinkedIn posts and op-eds for the CEO.
- Closely track internal impact updates across meetings, team Slack channels and weekly reports to identify key wins and develop a proactive plan for communicating our impact in advance.
- Help Identify and pitch speaking opportunities for the CEO and other leaders in key renewable energy, political and funder spaces.
- Help prepare monthly impact updates for the Board of Directors to keep abreast of the programs and impact across the organization.
- Help develop creative, visual ways to tell our story that can be used across communication channels (LinkedIn, social media and blogs, email and SMS communications to our network, funder communications, media, and more).
- Funder Communications
- Help produce development communications including a monthly newsletter, providing support for one-off impact updates for funders, and assisting with quarterly funder webinars.
- Assist the Associate Director of Impact Communications to ensure that the public-facing and member-only research pages are up to date on the latest research and communicate out the findings of our research across key audiences.
- Other Duties as Assigned:
- Adapt to the evolving needs of a fast-paced organization with flexibility and creativity.
- Contribute to strategic guidance for GoodPower campaigns underway.
- Help ideate, pitch and develop new campaigns for the organization.
- Work with the international programs to edit content as needed.
Qualifications
- Experience
- 6-10+ years experience in a media-facing role, either as a journalist, public relations or communications specialist. Expertise in the political or renewable energy field preferred.
- Skills & Expertise
- A demonstrated history of placing stories and opinion pieces in national publications, and existing relationships with reporters and editors at the national level.
- Experience engaging a diverse media ecosystem, including national outlets, trade press and high-impact local and regional media in priority states.
- Strong writing skills, with an ability to tell a story in a clear, concise, and engaging manner while maintaining message discipline.
- Ability to communicate and adapt messages across target outlets including trade press, newsletters, mainstream local, national and international publications, broadcast and video news, podcasts, and other media.
- Awareness of and ability to communicate the economic impacts, drivers and motivators of the renewable energy transition.
- Strong attention to detail with an antenna to absorb high volumes of information and distill impact into clear, cohesive, strategic communications.
- Ability to collaborate closely across departments, juggle and think through multiple angles, and ensure message discipline across communications.
- Ability to prioritize and juggle multiple projects simultaneously.
- Competency in utilizing CRMs (Salesforce), web platforms (WordPress) and design tools (Canva) to leverage communications.
- Strong analytical skills with ability to set priorities, complete work with minimal supervision, and meet deadlines.
- Attributes
- Self-starter with strong organizational skills and creativity.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of various teams.
- Demonstrated competence in managing complex projects.
- Team player who is a strong cross-team collaborator and communicator with an eagerness to jump into other duties than assigned.
- Proactive, flexible, and solutions-oriented with a commitment to innovation.