Strategic Communications Lead

Rocky Mountain Institute; Washington; Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

403b retirement match

Paid time off and sick leave

Annual bonus target 5%

Hybrid/remote work options

Job summary

Rocky Mountain Institute is seeking a Strategic Communications Lead to design and drive communications strategies that advance the clean energy transition in the built environment. You will partner with the Buildings program and global teams to craft integrated approaches that support policy, market, and stakeholder objectives.

The role emphasizes translating complex technical work into audience-centered messages, guiding multi-channel execution, and leveraging data to demonstrate impact across

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, public relations, journalism, marketing, nonprofit communications, or a related field.
• Experience developing communications strategies for projects, campaigns, initiatives, or policy efforts.
• Strong ability to translate complex technical topics into audience-centered communications approaches.
• Experience advising internal stakeholders and managing communications projects from planning through execution.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder groups.
• Experience using communications metrics and audience insights to inform decision making.
• Strong judgment, initiative, and problem-solving abilities.
• Passion for RMI's mission and interest in climate, energy, sustainability, public policy, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Develop end-to-end communications strategies for projects and initiatives within the Buildings program, while collaborating closely with other key programs like Electricity and across RMI’s global geographies.
• Define target audiences, key messages, desired outcomes, and high-level channel approaches.
• Translate technical analysis, research, and programmatic work into audience-specific narratives and communications approaches.
• Advise project teams on communications approaches that support desired outcomes and stakeholder engagement goals.
• Develop communications plans that guide account team execution across media, digital, editorial, design, events, and other communications functions.
• Contribute communications strategy recommendations and budget inputs for project-level fundraising and business development efforts.
• Align communications objectives and KPIs with project goals and monitor performance to inform improvements.
• Develop clear strategic direction for account teams responsible for communications execution.
• Identify and recommend thought leadership opportunities that support project goals and audience engagement strategies.
• Collaborate with communications colleagues to increase visibility for project leaders and subject matter experts.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public affairs

Project management

Writing & editing

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-functional collaboration

Policy & advocacy knowledge

Job description

Position Overview

RMI is seeking a Strategic Communications Lead to develop and drive communications strategies that advance the clean energy transition in the built environment, influence key audiences, and support organizational impact. The Strategic Communications Lead serves as a strategic communications partner to RMI’s Buildings team, working closely with Buildings Program staff, as well as colleagues across global geographies and RMI’s Electricity team to design integrated communications approaches that support policy, market, stakeholder, and organizational objectives. This role is responsible for developing project-level communications strategies, defining audience engagement approaches, shaping narratives, and guiding execution across multiple communications channels. The successful candidate combines strategic thinking with strong communications judgment and project management skills. They are able to translate complex technical work into audience-centered communications strategies and work effectively across functions to ensure communications efforts contribute to measurable outcomes. A strong connection to RMI's mission is highly desired.

We warmly welcome applications from individuals of all diverse backgrounds and cultures!

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Planning

Develop end-to-end communications strategies for projects and initiatives within the Buildings program, while collaborating closely with other key programs like Electricity and across RMI’s global geographies. Define target audiences, key messages, desired outcomes, and high-level channel approaches. Align communications strategies with project objectives, program priorities, and organizational goals. Identify communications opportunities that support influence and impact, stakeholder engagement, thought leadership, fundraising, and program impact.

Audience Narrative & Insight Development

Translate technical analysis, research, and programmatic work into audience-specific narratives and communications approaches. Identify key stakeholders, influence pathways, and communications opportunities for priority audiences. Develop messaging frameworks and narrative recommendations for projects and campaigns. Monitor relevant trends, stakeholder dynamics, and external developments to inform communications strategies.

Program Partnership & Advisory

Serve as the primary communications partner for assigned projects and workstreams. Advise project teams on communications approaches that support desired outcomes and stakeholder engagement goals. Ensure communications considerations are integrated into project planning and implementation. Build trusted relationships with program staff, subject matter experts, and cross-functional partners.

Planning Integration and Delivery Oversight

Advise project teams on communications timing, publication strategies, and opportunities to leverage external moments and news cycles. Develop communications plans that guide account team execution across media, digital, editorial, design, events, and other communications functions. Ensure communications activities remain aligned with strategic objectives throughout implementation. Coordinate across teams to support successful execution and delivery.

Business Development & Fundraising Integration

Advise project teams on communications approaches during concept note, proposal, and project development processes. Contribute communications strategy recommendations and budget inputs for project-level fundraising and business development efforts. Identify opportunities where communications can strengthen stakeholder engagement, visibility, and proposal competitiveness.

Measurement & Performance

Align communications objectives and KPIs with project goals and desired outcomes. Monitor communications performance and identify trends, insights, and opportunities for improvement. Use data and audience feedback to refine communications approaches and recommendations. Contribute to reporting and evaluation efforts that demonstrate communications impact.

Collaboration & Account Team Leadership

Develop clear strategic direction for account teams responsible for communications execution. Ensure alignment among project teams, account teams, and stakeholders regarding objectives, audiences, messaging, and priorities. Facilitate productive collaboration across communications disciplines to support integrated campaigns and initiatives. Contribute strategic recommendations during account team planning and execution processes.

Thought Leadership & External Positioning

Identify and recommend thought leadership opportunities that support project goals and audience engagement strategies. Support development of articles, op-eds, speaking materials, messaging frameworks, and other thought leadership products. Work with communications colleagues to increase visibility for project leaders and subject matter experts. Help position program experts in relevant external conversations, events, and media opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, public relations, journalism, marketing, nonprofit communications, or a related field.
• Experience developing communications strategies for projects, campaigns, initiatives, or policy efforts.
• Strong ability to translate complex technical topics into audience-centered communications approaches.
• Experience advising internal stakeholders and managing communications projects from planning through execution.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder groups.
• Experience using communications metrics and audience insights to inform decision making.
• Strong judgment, initiative, and problem-solving abilities.
• Passion for RMI's mission and interest in climate, energy, sustainability, public policy, or related fields.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting policy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, or thought leadership initiatives.
• Knowledge of the buildings and clean energy ecosystem, including current transmission grid challenges, electric utility-related dynamics (e.g., data center demand growth, affordability), and related opportunities in the United States and globally.
• Global communications experience, the ability to adapt narratives across different markets and contexts, and a broader understanding of energy transition issues including affordability, reliability, resilience, investment, and economic development.
• Experience working in climate, energy, sustainability, economic development, consulting, journalism, or nonprofit sectors.
• Familiarity with earned media, executive communications, digital communications, and integrated campaigns.
• Experience contributing to fundraising, proposal development, or business development activities.
• Experience working in matrixed or highly collaborative organizational environments.

Visa Sponsorship

Please note: At this time, RMI is not able to sponsor employment visas or hire candidates who require visa sponsorship to work in the United States. All candidates must have current, independent authorization to work in the U.S. without present or future sponsorship from RMI. We will update our hiring pages if this status changes.

Location

We are a remote-ready company with team members around the globe. Our beautiful and welcoming offices are available for meetings or focused work, whether you are traveling through or living nearby. Our U.S. offices are in New York City; Washington, DC; Oakland, California; Boulder, Colorado, and Basalt, Colorado. This role can be located from anywhere in the continental United States. We provide you with the essential IT equipment plus a one-time home technology payment and a monthly work from home/commuter allowance to ensure you have a comfortable home office set up and necessary supplies. We love seeing each other in person! We occasionally gather for shared time together like retreats and learning experiences. Be ready to travel for occasional in-person meetings (and of course, we cover travel costs).

Compensation

At RMI, we prioritize fairness in our pay practices. Salaries are determined based on a mix of experience, market benchmarks, and internal equity across similar roles. The salary range of this position is $68,092-$83,924. New hires typically start toward the lower end of the range, depending on experience and alignment with the role’s scope. In addition to base salary, this position includes an annual bonus target of 5% and eligibility for merit-based increases, which are tied to both individual and organizational performance.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 403b retirement match with immediate vesting
• Group life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability
• Optional voluntary life, AD&D and accident plans
• Health savings or flexible spending accounts
• Fertility and hormonal health support
• Mental health and wellness support
• Comprehensive leaves of absence (including generous parental leave)
• Generous paid time off and sick leave
• Paid sabbatical leave
• Regional holidays with at least one extended break in each geography
• Work from home and home technology allowances
• Learning & development opportunities (LinkedIn Learning and an annual individual professional development budget)
• Potential for bonuses and merit increases
• Discount marketplace (gym memberships, pet insurance, etc.)
• Hybrid / remote work options
• Team retreats and geographic meetups
• Rewards and recognition programs

Diversity

We know that the diversity of our teams makes us stronger as an organization, and RMI is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity as outlined in U.S. federal law. We prohibit discrimination against applicants, interns, and employees on the basis of any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: age (40 and over), race, color, sex, pregnancy (including lactation, childbirth, or related medical conditions), religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender expression/identity, uniformed service member status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other applicable status protected by applicable law. RMI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

If you have any questions or issues with your application submission, please submit a ticket: Support Form RMI is an independent nonprofit, founded in 1982 as Rocky Mountain Institute, 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 climate pollution at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; Abuja, Nigeria; and Beijing.