Strategic Communications Lead

About Spark

What will it take to return to a safe, stable climate? What are the missing solutions, responses, knowledge bases, and organizational structures that will enable us to get there, and how do we start building for them now?

Spark is a new, well-funded non-profit organization accelerating progress in under-developed, high-potential solutions and responses that are crucial to the comprehensive portfolio that will allow us to return to a safe climate.

As a field-building organization, Spark creates holistic strategies, orchestrating and driving action, using multiple levers such as funding scientific research and policy advocacy, to shape the long-term trajectory of the field to accelerate meaningful climate impact. Spark is steadfastly focused on climate impact at a meaningful scale. To that end, we think big, and are always looking for what the most additive, highest-leverage work we can do is.

Our team has deep expertise in science, engineering, and climate-focused philanthropy. Spark’s funders include the Grantham Foundation, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Astera Institute, Climate Pathfinders Foundation, Additional Ventures, and the Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust.

About the Role

Spark is looking for a Strategic Communications Lead who will lead the planning and implementation of communications strategies and tactics to expand support for the fields in which we work as well as to raise the profile of Spark with target audiences. We’re looking for a strategic, organized, and collaborative doer who gets energy from wearing multiple hats and working across different subject matter.

The Strategic Communications Lead will leverage a strong understanding of communications strategy, message development, and channels to advance Spark’s work to accelerate progress in emerging climate fields through collaborative strategy development, content creation, and distribution.

This role is a unique chance to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team focused on climate impact at a meaningful scale in emerging areas. You will activate communications as a key lever in a holistic strategy that also includes funding scientific research, policy advocacy, and social engagement to shape the long-term trajectory of needed climate solutions and responses.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and implementation of communications strategies including:

Organizational Strategic Communications

• In partnership with Spark leadership and with input form key partners, develop and then manage the implementation of a communications strategy for Spark that elevates Spark’s thought leadership, impact, and network of collaborators

• Continually refine the strategy based on shifts in the broader landscape and what Spark is learning

• Collaborate with Spark team members to create an editorial calendar that elevates key program information or team updates and oversee coordinated cross-channel posting (e.g. website, social channels, newsletter)

• Manage communications contractors such as copy editors, graphic designers, and public relations professionals

• Cultivate and manage relationships with outside media outlets

• Assist in the development and implementation of public communications opportunities as they arise

Field-Building Strategic Communications

• Partner with each program lead to develop a strategy to build awareness across key stakeholders (funders, researchers, policymakers, general public, etc) critical to accelerating the field and identify specific projects to own that will move the strategy forward

• Coordinate and align communications across all relevant stakeholders to maximize impact, including training and activating grantees and partners to serve as field advocates

• Partner with Spark leadership to develop a strategy to increase support opening the aperture of needed climate solutions and identify specific projects to own that will move the strategy forward

• Support the development of communications ecosystem with the myriad of entities working on methane and other sources of unmitigated climate risk

Organizational Content

• Ensure consistent messaging across all channels

• Source content for and write updates and newsletters for various audiences

• Evolve and maintain Spark’s website, including creating new content areas/sections and leading language changes

• Manage Spark’s social media channels to ensure timely and accurate delivery of messaging

• Support the Spark team with communication projects, including writing funding proposals, strategic documents, press releases, blog posts, and presentations

Desired Skills & Experience

• 10+ year of relevant experience in strategic communications work
• Experience developing and executing communication strategies that have delivered meaningful results
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to understand technical concepts and translate them to general audiences
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively and effectively with relevant stakeholders
• Strong project management and organizational abilities
• Attention to detail in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in content creation and editing across various channels and basic design and formatting skills
• Self-motivated, proactive professional who works well independently and collaboratively with others
• Insatiable curiosity about the climate problem; open-mindedness in exploring all possible climate solutions; and the flexibility, creativity, and tenacity to drive the necessary work forward

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of, or experience in, the climate action space, climate solutions, or science communication

• Experience in long form writing, such as reports

Eligibility

• Fluency in English
• Able to work as a W2 employee for a US non-profit
• At least 4 overlapping work hours with US Pacific time work day (9am-5pm PT)

Location

As with all positions at Spark Climate Solutions, this will be 100% remote. Employees can work anywhere within the United States, or internationally with approval.

Compensation

This is a all full-time positions with benefits. The salary range is $125,000-$145,000 / year. In addition, Spark Climate Solutions provides exceptional benefits including flexible PTO, sick time, holidays, a 401-k match, generous health insurance coverage, full-covered dental/vision/life insurance, and parental leave