Strategic Communications Manager

Do you love solving challenging problems, thinking about dynamic systems, and working in groups? Do you have the self-motivation, curiosity, creativity, and ability to guide others toward meaningful results? Do you have a passion for making the world a better place? If yes, then join our growing team!

Individuals of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply!

Program Overview

RMI’s rapidly expanding Climate Finance Program (the Program) is anchored by the Center for Climate-Aligned Finance (the Center), a 25-member team that helps private financial institutions implement their net-zero commitments. Launched in July 2020, the Center generates industry-leading insights and facilitates financial institutions in working groups. Near term, RMI is expanding the Program’s work on two fronts: by launching an initiative focused on mobilizing capital for emerging markets and developing countries; and by scaling the leading software and methodology for portfolio alignment metrics.

To drive the strategy and execution of marketing and communications for this growing mix of initiatives as well as to advance their integration across other RMI programs, the Program seeks a seasoned marketing and communications leader who will build and lead a small team. This role requires a proven people-leader with a mix of storytelling expertise and B2B marketing skills, complemented by working knowledge of finance and sustainability/climate. To succeed, you must understand why certain stories get into the Financial Times as well as why certain sources are quoted first. You also need to understand the climate-related challenges facing a chief sustainability officer at a global bank and be able to use those insights to inform RMI’s work.

While working closely with the managing director of the Climate Finance Program, this role is part of RMI’s fast growing Influence team, home to our marketing and communications experts. The role reports to our chief storyteller and will, in time, manage 1-2 direct reports.  

You must be a strong team player with demonstrated experience managing a small, multi-talented communications team, able to work nimbly across the Influence team and the Climate Finance Program. As a senior advisor to the Program’s managing director and its principals, you will help shape the Program’s strategic direction and initiatives.

You will also coordinate with multiple other RMI programs, the central Influence Team, and external partners. You will use data-driven insights about our financial sector audiences and their motivations to provide communications and marketing guidance to experts across all RMI’s programs. You will develop and execute strategic marketing campaigns and coordinate communications efforts across channels with other RMI programs to inform and influence key stakeholders.  

Key Roles and Responsibilities: 

Develop and lead Climate Finance Program marketing and communications strategy 

• Guide Program leaders to position, frame and develop narratives from an audience-centric perspective. 
• Develop a B2B marketing strategy for the Climate Finance program’s new portfolio alignment software offering. 
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver audience-centric marketing plans and communications campaigns for our current program initiatives that leverage diverse channels, including media relations, social/digital, events, direct communications, partnerships, and RMI- and partner-owned assets. 
• Assist program spokespeople in creating and placing thought leadership, including LinkedIn and social channels, Op-Eds, speaking engagements. 

Internal and external coordination 

• Collaborate with and leverage RMI in-house communications capabilities (i.e., editorial, design, web, traditional and social media) and third-party agencies.
• Coordinate public outreach with the Center’s financial sector partners, including large private banks; identify potential partnerships with other global finance regulatory & advocacy organizations to amplify key messages.
• Coordinate communications efforts with other RMI programs and manage internal processes to efficiently deliver relevant thought-leadership, stories, and insights to targeted audiences.
• Coordinate with RMI’s development team; aid Program leaders in fund-raising.
• Seek out, develop, and manage strategic communications partnerships with like-minded climate NGOs, influencers, and/or advocacy groups.

Manage execution 

• Mentor and manage junior program marketers in all relevant aspects of their job, including execution of their day-to-day tasks.
• Follow RMI Influence Team processes to project manage blogs, insight briefs, research reports, events, email newsletters, website redesigns, and more.
• Maintain RMI’s Finance webpage and sub-initiative websites.
• Leverage data insights to identify and research target audiences.
• Proactively leverage news-making moments, milestones, outcomes, and impacts to drive awareness and interest in the program with target audiences, influencers, donors, policymakers, and decision-makers.
• Develop understanding of audience(s) and familiarity with technical content for owned impact areas.
• Develop and report against metrics of success and track activities against outcomes and impact.
• Direct and guide RMI technical experts into the right conversations (media, social, other) to shape target audience sentiment.
• Other responsibilities as assigned 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, marketing, or related field and/or appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years’ experience in marketing and communications disciplines in finance, economics, climate, or business.
• A track record of developing strategies and leading successful global communications campaigns.
• Demonstrated success managing a communications / marketing teams
• Ability to deftly navigate multiple delicate relationships and complex projects where stakeholders can have competing priorities.
• Superb project and time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Relationships with reporters covering finance at top-tier news publications.
• B2B marketing experience, especially in the context of software and/or finance
• Experience covering heavy industry topics, ideally on energy-related topics.
• Experience working across both Global North and Global South
• Experience working on sustainability, climate, or energy issues.
• Interest in climate, policy, financial regulation, and/or the energy transition.
• Ability to communicate to a diverse, policy, industry, and stakeholder audience.
• Successful track record of strategic marketing and communications efforts.
• Relevant graduate degree(s). 

Location:   

The position will remain remote through the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the COVID-19 situation improves, it is preferred that this role will be based out of one of our offices in Oakland, CA, Washington, D.C., New York City, Boulder, CO, or Basalt, CO. This will be discussed further throughout the interview process.

Important Note: As a U.S. federal contractor, RMI must comply with requirements outlined Executive Order Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. This Executive Order requires that all federal contractors and subcontractors mandate and verify that all U.S. based employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are based in the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of full vaccination status as a condition of employment. You may request an accommodation for medical or religious reasons. If you are based outside of the U.S., this requirement does not apply.

Compensation

RMI compensates based on the level and requirements of the role. Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. Typically, new Managers join at the minimum to mid salary range of $79,000-$93,000. You would also have an additional 10% bonus target!  

Benefits:  

We offer a comprehensive benefits package adjusted to regional norms, including (for U.S. employment): 

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance  

• 403b Retirement Options (5% match immediately)  

• Generous PTO  

• Learning & Development opportunities  

• Parental leave  

• Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long-Term Disability  

• Commuter and Wellness Benefits  

Diversity  

Increasing the diversity of thought, perspectives, ideas, and opinions within RMI is a critical change element supporting our long-term sustainability and mission to build a clean, prosperous, and secure energy future.  

We strive for a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of ability, race, ethnicity, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic class, educational attainment or other social identities—is critical to the success of each RMIer and collectively as an organization. This ensures that we:  

• Have the different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.  

• Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating others with dignity, respect and appreciation enabling them to feel welcomed, supported and valued.  

• Effectively connect, communicate and build long-lasting relationships with decision makers, stakeholders and constituents within diverse communities.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.  

About RMI  

RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.