Director of Communications and Systems

Mid Hudson Energy Transition•Kingston, NY

43d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Communications and Systems is a senior leadership role responsible for building and maintaining MHET's brand, communications infrastructure, digital systems, and organizational operations. This role drives how MHET tells its story – to funders, community members, partners, and the public – while also ensuring the internal systems that power the organization run smoothly and effectively. The Director oversees communications strategy, content creation, graphic design, social media, PR, the website, email marketing, HubSpot, and Asana, and manages the Operations & HR Manager and two part-time staff. This is a high-output, high-ownership role for someone who is equally comfortable building a workflow, writing a press release, designing a flyer, and managing a team.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in communications, marketing, or a related field, preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
Demonstrated ability to create high-quality written content across a range of formats and audiences – from community-facing program materials to funder-facing grant narratives.
Experience managing social media accounts and digital marketing campaigns, with a track record of growing engagement and reach.
Proficiency in graphic design tools (e.g., Canva) and ability to produce polished, on-brand visual materials independently.
Experience building or managing CRM systems, preferably HubSpot, including workflow automation, pipeline management, and reporting.
Strong project management skills, including experience with tools such as Asana and the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
Experience planning and executing events, including logistics, marketing, and stakeholder coordination.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage a high volume of work without sacrificing quality.
Deep commitment to environmental justice, equity, and community-centered work.
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; able to work across teams and support staff communications needs.

Nice To Haves

Experience with website management and content updates (WordPress or similar).
Experience with fundraising, development, or grant writing in a nonprofit context.
Knowledge of New York State energy policy, clean energy programs, or environmental justice landscape.
Bilingual English/Spanish.
Familiarity with the Hudson Valley region and its communities.
LEED, ESG, or sustainability-related credentials.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute MHET's overall communications strategy across all channels and audiences – community members, funders, partners, media, and the public.
Write and edit a wide range of content including newsletters, blog posts, press releases, grant narratives, impact reports, talking points, and program materials; ensure all communications are clear, compelling, and aligned with MHET's voice and values.
Manage MHET's monthly newsletter, including list management, segmentation, content curation, design, and performance analysis. Support the publication of MHET’s donor, board, and HELP Fund Investor newsletters in collaboration with program leads.
Lead media and public relations efforts, including building relationships with journalists and media outlets, drafting press releases, pitching stories, and positioning MHET as a recognized voice in the energy justice space.
Develop, edit, or outsource thought leadership content – including blogs, panels, reports, and media appearances – in collaboration with program and leadership staff to amplify MHET's model and expertise regionally and nationally.
Develop and maintain internal communications tools for staff, including program-specific talking points, scripts, and FAQs, so that all team members can represent MHET's work clearly and consistently in the field.
Ensure compliance with HELP and HELP Fund marketing and advertising guidelines across all program-related materials.
Own and maintain MHET's crisis communications plan; lead scenario planning and staff training to ensure organizational preparedness.
Ensure all communications materials are culturally responsive, accessible, and reflective of the communities MHET serves.
Manage and maintain MHET's website, keeping content current, accurate, and strategically organized; update the impact page and program pages on a regular cadence.
Lead MHET's social media presence across platforms – developing content calendars, creating and scheduling posts, monitoring engagement, and growing audience.
Design graphics, flyers, event pages, program materials, presentations, and other visual assets using tools such as Canva; maintain brand consistency across all materials.
Create and manage event pages, online forms, and digital campaigns to support program recruitment, fundraising, and community engagement using tools such as Google Ads, Givebutter, Rippling, and use data to improve strategy over time with tools such as Google Analytics.
Track and report on digital performance metrics – including social media KPIs, website traffic, email open and click rates, and form submissions – and use data to improve strategy over time.
Own and continuously improve MHET's HubSpot CRM – building and maintaining pipelines, workflows, automations, forms, and reporting dashboards for communication efforts, programs, development, and outreach.
Oversee MHET's Asana infrastructure, ensuring project boards, templates, and team workflows are organized, up to date, and used consistently across the organization.
Serve as the connective tissue across programs – ensuring HUG, HELP, EI, and Outreach are operating from shared systems, consistent data, and aligned communications infrastructure.
Supervise the Operations & HR Manager, serving as their primary point of contact and accountability for day-to-day administrative functions including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, vendor management, record retention, and compliance documentation.
Oversee IT infrastructure and technology needs in coordination with the Operations & HR Manager, ensuring staff have the tools and access they need; manage vendor relationships for software, hardware, and tech services.
Support the Operations & HR Manager in executing HR processes including onboarding, offboarding, benefits administration, and employee record-keeping; escalate sensitive HR matters to the Executive Director.
Ensure financial and administrative processes are well-documented and consistently followed; flag issues or exceptions to the Executive Director as appropriate.
Identify and implement tools, process improvements, and integrations that increase organizational efficiency and effectiveness across all departments.
Lead the development and publication of MHET's annual impact report and program-specific impact materials, synthesizing data from across programs into compelling, accessible narratives for funders, partners, and the public.
Build and maintain reporting systems and templates that enable program staff to consistently capture outcomes, participant stories, and key metrics throughout the year.
Support grant reporting in collaboration with the Executive Director and program staff, ensuring deliverables are accurate, on time, and tell a strong story.
Collaborate with program directors to collect and elevate participant testimonials, case studies, and qualitative impact data that center lived experience in all reporting.
Support the Executive Director and Managing Director on funder communications, sponsorship stewardship, and donor-facing materials.
Plan and execute fundraising and community events, managing logistics, marketing, sponsorship fulfillment, volunteer coordination, and follow-up.