Director Communications

Energy Workforce & Technology Council; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Energy Workforce & Technology Council seeks a Director of Communications to lead EWTC’s communications strategy, advance the organization’s advocacy, workforce initiatives and member engagement, and supervise the Marketing Specialist. The role combines strategic thinking with hands-on content creation and editorial oversight.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer with media relations experience, ready to work with executive leadership and Government Affairs to shape messages, secure coverage

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• At least five years of relevant communications, journalism or public relations experience.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, demonstrated through work samples, including the ability to explain complex topics and write in different executive voices.
• Experience developing communications strategy and personally carrying out the work.
• Strong editorial judgment, media relations skills and attention to accuracy.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, collaborate effectively and complete work with limited direction.
• Professionalism, discretion and accountability.
• Energy industry or trade association experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a communications plan supporting EWTC’s advocacy, workforce and member engagement priorities.
• Identify timely opportunities and exercise sound judgment about messaging, audiences, tone and timing.
• Serve as lead writer and editor for news releases, newsletters, articles, op-eds, website content and other communications.
• Oversee and manage EWTC’s website, keeping content current, accurate and organized, and coordinating updates and technical support as needed.
• Manage newsletter content and the editorial calendar, including story selection, writing, editing, approvals, publishing and coordination with staff and contributors.
• Develop stories and thought leadership that draw on member expertise and demonstrate EWTC’s value.
• Evaluate results and improve communications effectiveness.
• Develop speeches, remarks, talking points, briefing materials and social content in the distinct voices of EWTC leaders.
• Build relationships with national, regional and industry media and pursue coverage through pitches, interviews and contributed content.
• Serve as the primary media contact, coordinating responses and preparing spokespeople.
• Monitor news and coverage, recommend timely responses and maintain media materials.
• Develop event coverage that captures key insights and extends their value to members.
• Supervise and support the Marketing Specialist, setting priorities together while maintaining clear accountability for results.
• Align communications and marketing plans, messaging and brand presentation across channels.
• Develop substantive industry, policy and executive social content and provide editorial guidance.
• Support the Marketing Specialist’s ownership of daily social media management, publishing, visuals, event and program promotion, and channel analytics.
• Monitor industry, workforce, economic and policy developments and translate findings into useful communications.
• Produce EWTC’s monthly employment report, validating data, interpreting findings and preparing the release and supporting content.
• Maintain the report’s methodology and coordinate technical review or model updates as needed.
• Work with Government Affairs to develop accurate advocacy communications consistent with EWTC’s positions.

Skills

Excellent writing

Editing

Media relations

Strategic communications

Prioritization

Collaboration

Executive communications

Content development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related field

Job description

Director of Communications
Energy Workforce & Technology Council
Reports to: President Molly Determan
Direct report: Marketing Specialist
Position: Full-time, salaried, exempt, Hybrid Work Week

Position Overview

The Director of Communications leads communications that advance EWTC’s priorities, strengthen its industry voice and demonstrate its value to member companies. This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution, from identifying opportunities and shaping messages to writing content and securing media coverage.

The director works closely with executive leadership, Government Affairs and other staff, and supervises the Marketing Specialist through a collaborative partnership. The ideal candidate is an excellent writer with sound judgment, curiosity about the energy industry and a proactive approach to the work.

Duties and Responsibilities

Communications and Editorial Leadership

• Develop and execute a communications plan supporting EWTC’s advocacy, workforce and member engagement priorities.
• Identify timely opportunities and exercise sound judgment about messaging, audiences, tone and timing.
• Serve as lead writer and editor for news releases, newsletters, articles, op-eds, website content and other communications.
• Oversee and manage EWTC’s website, keeping content current, accurate and organized, and coordinating updates and technical support as needed.
• Manage newsletter content and the editorial calendar, including story selection, writing, editing, approvals, publishing and coordination with staff and contributors.
• Develop stories and thought leadership that draw on member expertise and demonstrate EWTC’s value.
• Evaluate results and improve communications effectiveness.

Executive Communications and Media Relations

• Develop speeches, remarks, talking points, briefing materials and social content in the distinct voices of EWTC leaders.
• Build relationships with national, regional and industry media and pursue coverage through pitches, interviews and contributed content.
• Serve as the primary media contact, coordinating responses and preparing spokespeople.
• Monitor news and coverage, recommend timely responses and maintain media materials.
• Develop event coverage that captures key insights and extends their value to members.

Marketing Leadership and Collaboration

• Supervise and support the Marketing Specialist, setting priorities together while maintaining clear accountability for results.
• Align communications and marketing plans, messaging and brand presentation across channels.
• Develop substantive industry, policy and executive social content and provide editorial guidance.
• Support the Marketing Specialist’s ownership of daily social media management, publishing, visuals, event and program promotion, and channel analytics.

Industry Research and Reporting

• Monitor industry, workforce, economic and policy developments and translate findings into useful communications.
• Produce EWTC’s monthly employment report, validating data, interpreting findings and preparing the release and supporting content.
• Maintain the report’s methodology and coordinate technical review or model updates as needed.
• Work with Government Affairs to develop accurate advocacy communications consistent with EWTC’s positions.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• At least five years of relevant communications, journalism or public relations experience.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, demonstrated through work samples, including the ability to explain complex topics and write in different executive voices.
• Experience developing communications strategy and personally carrying out the work.
• Strong editorial judgment, media relations skills and attention to accuracy.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, collaborate effectively and complete work with limited direction.
• Professionalism, discretion and accountability.
• Energy industry or trade association experience preferred.

Energy Workforce Shared Values

Excellence: Strive to deliver the best possible work.
Ownership: Take accountability and responsibility for outcomes.
Engagement: Care about EWTC’s mission, members and colleagues.
Responsiveness: Follow through on commitments in a timely manner.
Accuracy: Earn trust through reliable information and professional work.
Confidence: Make sound decisions and take initiative.

This job description is not intended to provide a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change as organizational needs evolve.