Program Director (California)

Sunstone Strategies•,

10h•$119,544 - $140,464•Remote

About The Position

Sunstone Strategies is a mission-driven climate campaigning firm that leverages strategic communications to shape, pass, and implement equitable climate policies. The ideal candidate brings campaigning prowess with a wealth of experience and expertise pertaining to California’s climate policies and climate campaigning more generally. Familiarity with clean energy and climate policy and politics are a must with solid political acumen and strong, established relationships in the field. Importantly, we’re looking for a self-starter and highly-strategic thinker who knows what it takes to win climate campaigns in California. Drawing from their experience, the ideal candidate is a do-er with exceptional judgement, able to make quick decisions and necessary pivots in real-time, and can successfully lead and collaborate with internal and external partners executing on tactics. Reporting to Sunstone Strategies senior leadership, this position is responsible for managing teams and successful campaign outcomes on behalf of diverse coalitions and stakeholders to advance climate policy in California. Under limited supervision and with periodic guidance, this position operates with a moderate degree of independence, judgment, and strategic influence.

Requirements

Campaigning prowess with a wealth of experience and expertise pertaining to California’s climate policies and climate campaigning more generally.
Familiarity with clean energy and climate policy and politics.
Solid political acumen and strong, established relationships in the field.
Self-starter and highly-strategic thinker.
Exceptional judgement, able to make quick decisions and necessary pivots in real-time.
Able to successfully lead and collaborate with internal and external partners executing on tactics.
Deep understanding of federal and state climate policy, including key players in the California climate/political community.
Strong understanding of the media landscape.
Ability to train and lead others with empathy and clarity.
Ability to lead authentically and with diplomacy while elevating views of diverse communities and working across lines of race, class, gender, and geography.
Skilled in analyzing complex policy issues and communicating them in a compelling, digestible manner for diverse audiences to encourage and drive coalition support.
Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple, changing, and competing priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent writing skills and strong attention to detail.
Strong communication skills and skilled in navigating difficult conversations.
More than 8 years of experience focused in communications, public affairs, and electoral campaigning with increasing responsibility in a role related to climate change.
Experience and expertise in policies related to the climate and energy sectors.
Experience building strong partner and media relationships and working in political landscapes related to climate change.
Experience leading communications for climate coalitions.
At least 5 years of experience successfully managing and leading diverse teams including internal and external staff and consultants.
Applicants must be currently authorized to permanently work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Remote position with preferred location in California.
At least 5 years of direct experience working in climate change or energy policy campaigning, with a focus on California for at least a portion of that time.
Highly collaborative and communicative work style as a peer, leader, and thought partner.
Committed to learning, curiosity, and personal growth.
Skilled in distilling complex issues into clear strategies and decisions.
Excited by the unknown and eager to build.
Committed to equity, transparency, and building positive team culture.
Experienced working across lines of race, class, gender, and geography.
Able to thrive within a dynamic, fast-paced environment and can move between solo efforts and teamwork.
Open to giving and receiving direct, compassionate feedback.
Highly reliable, organized, and self-motivated.
Able to hold a high level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness, with ability to engage empathetically.

Responsibilities

Lead or co-lead issue area and moderately complex campaigns and maintain accountability to contract deliverables and budgets.
Advise on, develop, and execute communications plans, strategies, and tactics for campaigns in partnership with coalition partners.
Lead coalition communications.
Manage campaign teams, assign work, and ensure contract deliverables are met.
Draft and edit reports and collateral content, including press releases, media advisories, talking points, op-eds, Letters to the Editor (LTEs), fact sheets, websites, social messaging, etc.
Partner with our digital and design team to produce shareable content (short- and long-form videos, animations, other shareable online assets) and execute online communications campaigns.
Build relationships and credibility with media partners and reporters.
Successfully pitch stories and place op-eds in alignment with campaign strategies.
Participate in funding discussions and in developing scope for key programs.
Represent clients, partners, and Sunstone Strategies, as needed.
Oversee campaign teams, including hiring, training, evaluation, coaching, and recommendation for dismissal.

Benefits

Employer-sponsored health, vision, and dental coverage for employees
Employer-sponsored life and AD&D insurance coverage
4 weeks of vacation leave
10 days of sick/personal time
13 paid holidays, including a personal holiday for your birthday
Automatic 5% 401k employer contribution after 3 months of continual employment that is 100% vested
Home office stipend to be used only within first three months of employment
Monthly phone and internet reimbursement
Annual professional development stipend
Quarterly health and wellness stipend
Year-end discretionary bonus