POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) develops and implements communication strategies that align with Climate Imperative’s goals and mission. As a member of the leadership team, the CCO will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission by shaping and delivering a cohesive communications strategy, managing brand reputation, and providing expert leadership in risk mitigation.
The CCO will provide strategic, comprehensive, proactive, and responsive communication strategies to the executive leadership team and Board of Directors. This role is integral to ensuring our values and mission resonate with internal and external audiences, strengthening our impact.
OUR COMMITMENT
We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to a transparent recruitment process that fosters belonging. Our goal is to hire and advance people regardless of race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, military service, medical condition, and any other protected characteristic under local, state, or federal law. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.
We are committed to an accessible application process and employee experience. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please email [email protected].
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
- Partner with leadership to develop and implement a communication strategy that aligns with the organization's mission, vision, goals, and priorities
- Serve as the chief architect of messaging to ensure consistency and clarity in all external and internal communications
- Act as advisor to Initiative Directors on communications strategy
Communications Strategy
- Lead risk assessment efforts and develop proactive strategies to safeguard the organization
- Serve as a primary spokesperson, providing clear, transparent, and timely communication to all stakeholders
- Develop and maintain a communications plan that ensures readiness to respond swiftly and effectively in a dynamic landscape
Communications, Outreach & Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop and oversee high-impact documents and materials (e.g., donor briefs, impact reports) to support the President and leadership team in engaging funders and strategic partners
- Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders, including donors and key grantees
- Collaborate across internal departments to ensure alignment and integration of communications efforts across the organization
Team Development and Management
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and accountability
- Work collaboratively with colleagues on teams across the organization
- Oversee budget planning and resource allocation for communications initiatives
EXPERIENCE
- 10+ years of experience in a senior leadership role in communications, public relations, or a related field, preferably within a mission-driven organization.
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field or equivalent working experience; advanced degree preferred
- Exceptional skills in strategic thinking, message development, and storytelling
- Demonstrated expertise in risk mitigation and responsive communications
- Track record of managing complex communications projects with demonstrable outcomes
- Strong media relations experience, with established networks in relevant industries
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to navigate high-pressure situations with composure, sound judgment, and professionalism
- Interest, passion, and commitment to reducing climate change
- Ability to prioritize and be flexible in a fast-paced, constantly evolving, and collaborative environment
SALARY
We provide a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The target national salary range is $265,000 to $275,000 with adjustments made for people in higher-expense markets, i.e. the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington D.C. Currently, all staff local to the San Francisco and DC offices go into the office one to three days a week. Equity is incredibly important to the organization, and a pay audit for equity is completed annually.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This role is done primarily in an office environment.
An employee must be able to satisfy the following physical requirements with or without a reasonable accommodation.
- Remain in a stationary position (at a desk) for at least 75% of the day
- Use hand and fingers to type
- Frequently communicate via phone or video and email and must be able to communicate using those methods
This description reflects essential functions, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
BENEFITS
We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all U.S.-based employees. If a specific position is open to international employees, benefits will vary based on geographical location. The U.S. benefits include:
- Up to 100% of premium paid for medical, dental, and vision
- Short term and long term disability insurance
- Company sponsored life insurance and voluntary life
- Carrot fertility and family planning benefits
- Student loan repayment assistance
- 401k retirement plan with a company match contribution
- Annual professional development budget
- Internet, cell phone, and health & wellness reimbursement
- 14 paid holidays and four weeks of paid time off (PTO)
- Paid parental leave, jury duty, and bereavement
- Public transportation benefit options for office staff
- Regular staff lunches and team building activities
- SF and DC office stocked with healthy snacks and beverages
- An innovative, collaborative, welcoming work culture
ABOUT US
Climate change is governed by physical facts—about carbon sources, accumulation, impacts, and timing, and more importantly, about solutions that work. These facts must inform strategy: they show that avoiding dangerous climate change is only possible through strong policy to cut carbon, promptly, in the biggest countries. To address these issues, Climate Imperative was founded to provide resources to the field of climate policy in this decisive decade.
Climate Imperative is a 501(c)(3) public charity focused on solving the climate crisis at speed and scale by providing funding, technical support, and expertise to win the world's most significant emissions reduction policy decisions this decade.
We support a hybrid work environment and require all employees to come together in person one to two times per year.
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