Communications Manager

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy development. We serve Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista, and SW Washington customers of NW Natural.

Reports to: Communications and Brand Lead

Compensation: Starting salary $97,500 – $124,900 commensurate with skills and experience. Full Pay Range: $97,500 - $152,200

Employment Classification: Full Time, Exempt

Office Location: Portland Metro Area, Oregon, USA (remote/hybrid options available throughout Oregon and Washington)

About Energy Trust of Oregon

Energy Trust of Oregon is dedicated to clean, affordable energy for everyone. Year over year, Energy Trust is recognized as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon. We believe every person and their lived experience is integral to building a vibrant culture and delivering effective services to all customers we serve.

What You'll Do

Stakeholder Communications Leadership and Delivery (approximately 70%)

• •Manage stakeholder-facing communications and staff responsible for development and delivery of communication products for regulators, utilities, community partners, policymakers, industry organizations and other external stakeholders.
• •Develop, write, edit and deliver high-quality stakeholder communications including reports, presentations, strategic communications plans, briefing materials, key messages, talking points, speeches, public-facing materials and executive communications.
• •Independently research, analyze and synthesize complex technical, policy, regulatory and organizational information into clear and accurate communications tailored to stakeholder audiences.
• •Build subject matter expertise across a broad range of energy-specific business, policy and program topics and rapidly translate new information into effective communications products with minimal direction.
• •Provide strategic communications counsel to leaders, project teams and subject matter experts regarding stakeholder engagement, messaging, communications approaches and risk mitigation.
• •Develop and execute communications strategies and plans that support organizational priorities, stakeholder understanding and stakeholder engagement.
• •Manage a high volume of concurrent communications projects and requests, balancing competing priorities, shifting deadlines and emerging organizational needs.
• •Respond effectively to unplanned, time-sensitive and high-profile communications needs, exercising sound judgment and maintaining quality under pressure.
• •Ensure stakeholder communications are accurate, clear, audience-appropriate and aligned with organizational objectives, policies and messaging standards.
• •Establish and maintain productive working relationships with leaders, subject matter experts and cross-functional teams.
• •Identify communications risks, gaps and opportunities and proactively recommend solutions.
• •Guide and review stakeholder communications produced by the communications team while ensuring consistency, quality and strategic alignment.

Internal Communications (approximately 10%)

• •Guide and manage the team in developing and delivering internal communications activities including all staff meetings, a monthly internal newsletter, trainings and orientations, and email and Microsoft Teams communications.
• •Advise Human Resources and organizational leaders to develop and deliver employee communications as needed to support staff awareness and engagement.

Team Management and Leadership (approximately 20%)

• •Supervise, coach and develop a team of communications specialists, providing clear direction, feedback, prioritization support and professional development opportunities.
• •Review and provide substantive editorial and strategic feedback on communications products produced by team members.
• •Establish team priorities, allocate resources and adjust workloads to ensure timely delivery of stakeholder communications and organizational priorities.
• •Foster a culture of accountability, responsiveness, collaboration and high performance.
• •Manage professional services contracts.

What You'll Need

• •Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, political science or related field.
• •Master's degree in public policy, public administration or commensurate experience in a policy environment or government relations role (desirable).
• •Minimum seven years of experience as a communications project manager or manager, producing tailored communications and reports for staff, stakeholders and consumers.
• •Minimum four years of communications experience specific to an energy policy setting with strong familiarity of energy efficiency and renewable energy program concepts (strongly preferred).
• •Experience in a government relations setting (preferred).
• •At least two years of experience supervising staff and/or managing a team.
• •Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong presentation skills and sound judgment.
• •Experience producing communications and reports targeted to organizational stakeholders.
• •Experience producing high-quality public communications including speeches, presentations, reports, newsletters, case studies and press releases.
• •Demonstrated ability to quickly learn unfamiliar subject matter and synthesize complex concepts into clear communications.
• •Demonstrated success working in highly collaborative environments requiring relationship building, consensus development and multiple review and approval cycles.
• •Experience prioritizing and executing tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• •Ability to write and edit copy applying Energy Trust's organizational style; knowledge of AP style preferred.
• •Advanced user-level understanding of Microsoft Office suite, especially MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint; experience using SharePoint preferred.
• •Must be a proactive professional who can be flexible and responsive to changing context and communication opportunities.
• •Must be comfortable working in culturally diverse settings and groups.

What You'll Get

• •Health, dental and vision insurance
• •Employer sponsored and paid life and disability insurance
• •401(k) with a company contribution of 6% of salary after 90 days of employment
• •TriMet pass
• •Access to health and dependent FSA/HSA accounts
• •Generous paid vacation, holidays and sick days
• •Paid volunteer hours
• •Employee assistance program
• •Career advancement opportunities
• •Flexibility to work from home and/or an office space in Portland, OR
• •Work from home laptop provided

Application Instructions

Please submit your resume, a sample of your writing and a brief cover letter that shares your interest in this role. All applications must be submitted via Energy Trust's website at www.energytrust.org/About/careers.

All offers of employment are conditional pending the successful completion of a background check and reference checks.