NE4OSW Seeks Regional Offshore Wind Communications Director

Reporting to: Director of Clean Energy Policy / NE4OSW Regional Lead
Supporting: ELM and New England for Offshore Wind 

The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) is committed to advocating for policy that meets the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges. We are recruiting a Regional Offshore Wind Communications Director to support the New England for Offshore Wind (NE4OSW) coalition. New England for Offshore Wind is a broad-based, regional coalition committed to combatting climate change by increasing the supply of clean energy to our regional grid through more procurements of responsibly developed offshore wind. 

The Communications Director will be an integral member of a collegial and effective 14-person advocacy team and will work closely with and support NE4OSW Steering Committee members as well as other coalition members across New England. Read our mission, vision, and values.

General Description:
The Communications Director provides strategic communications guidance and support to the 100+ Members – particularly the 40+ Coalition Partners who are most actively engaged – of the New England for Offshore Wind coalition and help take the coalition’s advocacy to the next level. They will be responsible for working across departments and partner organizations to develop communications strategies, plans, and materials to help coalition members implement regional coalition priorities, and state advocacy campaigns. The Communications Director will report to the Regional Lead of New England for Offshore Wind (ELM’s Director of Clean Energy Programs) and be supported by/work in close collaboration with the ELM’s Coalition & Advocacy Coordinator. 

 Responsibilities: 

Drive Strategic Communications  

  • Develop external communications strategies and plans to drive New England for Offshore Wind coalition priorities and campaigns at the regional and state levels. This includes multi-year strategic planning plus shorter-term campaign and media planning 
  • Own the brand decisions, ensure work products are aligned 
  • Advise Coalition & Advocacy Coordinator on website and social media management 
  • Ensure NE4OSW communications alignment with values 

 Build Media Presence and Public Profile  

  • Coordinate media activities on priority campaigns, including press events, report releases, etc.  
  • Prepare and support experts for interviews and events  
  • Build and deliver pitches at the state and local level for amplification to a national audience 
  • Cultivate relationships with the press, serve as point of contact for press and media outlets to better understand NE4OSW priorities and resources and make connections to coalition members 
  • Write compelling materials, including Op-eds, social media and web content 

 Advise NE4OSW Members 

  • Aid coalition members in execution of their own offshore wind communications work in service of the coalition’s mission 
  • Serve as point of contact for Steering Committee and other member communications teams 
  • Convene and provide guidance to member organization communications leads as a group on various communications skills and tactics such as storytelling, pitching reporters, speaking on the record, executing media events, managing crisis communications, writing communications products like releases, talking points, op-eds, etc. and embedding coalition values throughout communication products 
  • Lend support and expertise for polling in coordination with coalition members 

 Qualifications: 

Required 

  • At least 5 years’ experience in external communications/media relations or journalism. Experience writing communications materials, including statements, press releases and/or talking points.  
  • Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.  
  • Experience with issue advocacy. Understanding of, or ability to learn quickly about, environmental issues and public policy 
  • Ability to thrive in a collaborative environment; ability to prioritize and effectively manage tasks in a fastpaced work environment; strong organizational skills; demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines 
  • Ability to effectively coach and advise people with varying levels of experience who don’t report to you 
  • Ability to adapt and tailor strategies to various audiences depending on geography, political landscape or other characteristics. 
  • Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of their time as needed, to locations across New England. This position will be based in New England. 
  • Passion for people and coalition work, experience balancing competing priorities and building consensus 

 Preferred 

  • Experience preparing people for on-the-record interviews and events. Experience pitching state and local reporters. 
  • Experience with Canva, WordPress, Twitter, and/or other communications tools.

ELM provides generous paid time off, health insurance, Health Savings Account, and a 403(b) retirement plan with organization match. 

While the role is typically 40 hours per week, given the nature of the work, the Director will periodically be expected to work during evenings and weekends and will have some periods of heightened activity. The position can be based in any New England state and will require periodic travel within New England, including to ELM’s Boston office. We are willing to be flexible to accommodate remote work and a flexible schedule if requested.

Salary Range: $80,000 to $90,000, depending on experience 

To Apply: Please fill out our optional demographic survey, then send your resume and cover letter to jobs@environmentalleague.org with the subject line “Regional OSW Communications Director.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

ELM is an equal-opportunity employer and we strongly encourage applications from all interested candidates. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, creed, religion, personal appearance, national origin, citizenship, age, gender, or sexual orientation.