Managing Director, Communications & Marketing

Elemental Excelerator is a nonprofit VC that invests in climate startups to address climate and social inequities head on. In 2009, Elemental Excelerator launched a new non-profit model for funding climate technology deployment across our heaviest emitting sectors: energy, agriculture, mobility, industry and waste. Breaking down barriers to innovation alongside entrepreneurs provides us unique insight into the policies, markets and technologies needed to build systems that not only help us reach net zero by 2050 but also uplift people and communities around the world. We have learned that when it comes to system-wide decarbonization, technology has half the solution – and the community brings the other half.

Elemental strives to match bold vision with equally ambitious and impactful action. As a non-profit, we have the mandate and flexibility to put impact first, and the highly entrepreneurial and iterative model that enables us to test many ways to drive equity alongside climate impact - to fundamentally alter the reality of climate work to be more inclusive and just. With a 10+ year track record of empowering solutions to climate change, we are poised for the next stage of growth and impact.

At Elemental, we blend a growth mindset with a dedication to inclusion, cultivating a dynamic culture where everyone’s contributions are valued and encouraged.

To lead us through this next stage as we execute Elemental’s five-year strategy, we are looking for a big thinker and creative innovator with a proven track record of execution to join us as Managing Director of Communications & Marketing. This role requires a strategic and critical thinker with creative, out-of-the-box ideas, storytelling acumen, industry landscape knowledge, and strong public relations skills with solid press relationships across multiple platforms. We are looking for a leader with outstanding communications and collaboration skills. Experience navigating high-profile media relationships, launching big initiatives, and working with startups is a requirement. Is this you?

The role, which will report into our COO, is responsible for leading the organization's content strategy and team, with a focus on three primary areas:

1. PR Strategy & Positioning Creation & Execution: Building PR strategy and leading all aspects of PR Planning and execution including press outreach, the building of narratives and writing and reviewing of all materials including press releases, press kits, and presentations. With management of events, issues management, media exposure for portfolio companies, securing speaking engagements and preparing team members for them, as well as the positioning for press and to the industry that elevates the overall Elemental brand. This role will also oversee agencies, internal and external channel communications.
2. Marketing Management: Building owned media strategy including editorial calendars for Elemental’s blog, newsletter, and owned events, and supervising execution.
3. Social Media Management: Building and overseeing execution of social media strategy as a distribution channel and amplification for owned and earned media content, as well as original social media content.

• 10+ years of experience in a related Communications role
• Strong leadership skills and ability to communicate with, navigate and lead direct reports through challenges effectively
• A strategic problem solver with experience developing a communications strategy that aligns with an organization’s vision, values, and positioning; ability to generate fresh, outstanding storytelling and messaging ideas and drive their resonance
• Clear and concise communicator – ability to prioritize, clarify and communicate ideas simply, succinctly and accurately with attention to detail
• Experience concepting and carrying out a PR strategy, with excellent media relationships and media landscape knowledge
• Experience leading a marketing, social media, and content distribution strategy for a comm-led organization
• Experience managing agencies, taking care of brand partners, investors, journalists and other media influencers
• Versed in external channel communication management including experience with network influencer and community teams as well as social media
• Exemplar judgment and demonstration of Elemental values – Kuleana (responsibility & privilege), humble spirit, growth mindset, and joyful work – and be willing to question actions inconsistent with those values

• Experience building and implementing marketing and communications strategies for a policy audience (in April 2021, Elemental launched a Policy Lab with four fellows)
• Experience building and implementing marketing and communications strategies for a donor and philanthropy audience
• Knowledge of investing in climate tech companies primarily Seed to Series C in the energy, agriculture, mobility, circular economy, nature-based solutions, and water

Candidates from the following group are especially encouraged to apply: Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC); members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities; people who have disabilities; people from low-income backgrounds; people who identify as nonbinary; and women.

Elemental Excelerator offers a competitive salary based on the organization’s compensation philosophy, which is grounded in market data. We also offer comprehensive health & welfare benefits and top of the market paid time off. This is a full-time "at-will" position working 40 hours per week.

Elemental Excelerator is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and has a strong commitment to diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.