Program Manager

Sunstone Strategies•,

36d•$82,379 - $92,677•Remote

About The Position

Sunstone Strategies is seeking an exceedingly competent, climate policy-obsessed Program Manager with a strong background in communications, PR, policy campaigns, and/or public affairs. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to work side-by-side with climate leaders and engage skills by working on campaigns on behalf of diverse coalitions and stakeholders to secure climate policy advancement. The ideal candidate has an interest in federal and state clean energy and climate policy politics and experience designing and leading communications strategies for social change, with a driving passion for undoing the social license of the fossil fuel industry. We are looking for self-starters with strong attention to detail and a determination to develop professionally, while exemplifying human-centered values. Reporting to a Program Director or above, this position independently executes full media and client strategies across multiple issue campaigns. The Program Manager also owns day-to-day client relationship and management of defined scopes of work. This includes designing and adjusting tactics within a campaign’s overall strategy, owning day-to-day partner/client relationships for select contracts and mentoring Program Associates. This role blends independent execution with regular, trusted external partner/client-facing management.

Requirements

Solid understanding of the climate and energy sector, environmental issues, and policy frameworks with a deep understanding of federal and state climate politics and the related media landscape
Strong communication skills and skilled in navigating difficult conversations; skilled in writing and research, with a focused attention to detail
Knowledge of emerging and evolving digital marketing and communication trends
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
Ability to own client/partner relationships and represent the firm with consistency and responsiveness
More than 4 years of experience in roles with increasing responsibility in communications, public relations, and/or campaigning related to climate change
Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of climate and energy policy issues
Established media/journalist relationships, covering relevant issue areas

Nice To Haves

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

Work closely with team members and partner organizations to develop and implement joint communications strategies and tactics across multiple issue campaigns. Adjust tactics as needed for independently owned contracts or based on the campaign lead’s direction for larger campaigns. Ensure timely, high-quality deliverables are provided to partners.
Draft and edit high-quality reports and collateral, including press releases, media advisories, talking points, op-eds, Letters to the Editor (LTEs), fact sheets, website copy, social messaging, etc. Fact-check to ensure accuracy and credibility of all written materials.
Coordinate earned media and press outreach along with broader campaign team. Draft, pitch and lead proactive and rapid response efforts. Establish and cultivate key media and reporter relationships.
Manage coalition and partner relationships, owning day-to-day management of small to medium sized contracts. Lead coalition and partner calls and speak on behalf of Sunstone Strategies, as needed. Regularly report on work internally and to clients. Provide support to funder updates. Mentor junior team members, especially on client-facing skills.
Collaborate with partners and our digital and design team to support paid media strategies. Develop and manage the production of print and digital collateral including fact sheets, infographics, short videos, and websites. Draft and distribute social media toolkits and oversee social media production for campaign teams.
Draft messaging material and background briefing documents. Monitor campaign issues; legislative, regulatory, and political developments; and social media trends to keep the team informed on emerging state and federal climate policies and issue area updates.

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
14 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