Director, Communications, Climate & Energy Program

Third Way•Washington, DC

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Since our founding in 2005, we have served as a critical bulwark against political extremism by advancing values-driven, reform-oriented solutions on the defining issues of our time. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, security, and democratic capitalism, and we advocate for the vital center across seven major areas: climate and energy, economy, education, health care, national security, politics, and social policy. The Climate and Energy Program (CEP) at Third Way works to develop and galvanize support for deploying every technology needed to make energy affordable, reliable, secure, and clean. Leading a talented team of communication staffers, the Director of Communications for Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program will build and implement the program’s communication strategy to advance an ambitious clean energy policy agenda and narrative in the United States. This position will oversee all earned, social, and paid media efforts, lead public opinion research, and manage the production and publication of position papers and research. The Director of Communications is responsible for shaping CEP messaging and ensuring all published products are strategic, message-aligned, and effective. This position also partners closely with the Senior Vice President for Climate and Energy, Vice President for Policy, and the Senior Director for Philanthropy on program strategy, staffing, and program management. We are looking for a talented communicator and manager with a passion for finding new and creative ways to stand out in a crowded media ecosystem. Some familiarity with the energy sector, climate mitigation, and US politics is preferred.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressively responsible communications, public affairs, media, or advocacy experience, including experience developing strategy and managing staff
Strong relationships with national and trade press and a passion for advocating for a technology-inclusive approach to the clean energy transition
Excellent written and verbal ability, with a knack for editing and synthesizing complex ideas
A creative approach to marketing and drawing attention to our work despite a crowded and fractured media environment
A demonstrated ability to understand complex political and media environments, and deploy an array of tools, including public opinion research, social media, and earned media outreach, to advance our messages and policies in the press, with advocates, on the Hill and in the Administration
A compassionate, attentive, and thoughtful managerial style and strong ability to work collaboratively
A graduate degree or an undergraduate degree in a relevant field plus exceptionally relevant work experience

Nice To Haves

Some familiarity with the energy sector, climate mitigation, and US politics is preferred.

Responsibilities

Crafting strong messaging designed to increase the popularity of clean energy technologies with key stakeholders, especially working class, rural, and other diverse communities
Developing and managing a quarterly and annual communications strategy and content calendar for the design, execution, and release of high-impact products, public opinion polling, earned and social media outreach, and other public-facing content that advances CEP’s goals.
Educating internal and external stakeholders, including national and statewide campaigns, NGO and labor union partners, policymakers, and institutional and individual philanthropy, on Third Way messaging
Marketing our ideas to the traditional media outlets, podcasts, and emerging media voices, including on highly sensitive issues with complex political cross pressures
Leading, coaching, and developing the CEP communications team, including shepherding products from start to finish, reviewing and refining drafts, and ensuring consistent messaging across our work
Spearheading strategic partnerships to advance our goals and managing relationships with the media and complex networks of partners on and off the Hill
Overseeing special projects that communicate our policy objectives in new and creative ways, including measuring and communicating our impact to key audiences, creation of interactive maps and microsites, spearheading state-level communications efforts to test messaging on the ground, and researching and writing long-form research projects on effective communication in the energy space
Developing and managing the CEP communications budget, including paid media, polling, consultants, vendors, and special communications initiatives