Senior Manager, Communications

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Develop and execute a cohesive communications strategy that aligns with CALSTART’s mission, programs, and policy initiatives.

• Create and uphold a consistent brand voice and messaging for CALSTART and each program/initiative, ensuring uniformity across all platforms.

• Act as a strategic partner to program leads and policy teams, transforming technical objectives into engaging narratives suitable for funders and stakeholders.

• Proactively seek media coverage in national, trade, regional, and digital channels; cultivate and sustain strong relationships with journalists and editors.

• Prepare press materials, talking points, op-eds, policy briefs, and briefing documents for leadership.

• Manage media inquiries, provide coaching to spokespeople, and organize interviews or events as necessary.

• Take ownership of producing high-quality content, including press releases, blog posts, newsletters, annual reports, impact dashboards, case studies, and capability briefs.

• Supervise the design and production of multi-channel assets (PPTs, fact sheets, social media, website content) in collaboration with internal teams and external vendors.

• Lead storytelling efforts showcasing program achievements, pilots, deployments, policy victories, and research findings.

• Collaborate with the web team to create a digital strategy for CALSTART.org that advances the organization’s mission.

• Work together with Integrated Marketing teams to devise strategies for social media engagement and email marketing that enhance our messages and broaden our reach.

• Monitor analytics, assess impact, and refine tactics to enhance reach, engagement, and message effectiveness.

• Plan and implement events, briefings, roundtables, and webinars that connect CALSTART with policymakers, funders, industry partners, and other stakeholders.

• Prepare senior leadership for public appearances and briefings; represent CALSTART at external events when appropriate.

• Coordinate with a small but dynamic communications team and cross-functional partners.

• Be ready to directly contribute to writing, editing, and project execution while promoting collaboration across departments.

• Develop and monitor KPIs for communications performance (media impressions, share of voice, website traffic, campaign engagement, donor/partner awareness).

• Ensure adherence to donor communications policies and appropriate disclosures for funded programs.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field preferred.

• 7–10+ years in communications, public relations, or similar roles; experience in the automotive, clean transportation, or nonprofit sectors is strongly preferred.

• Proven experience in promoting policy initiatives as part of a comprehensive communications portfolio at the Federal, State, or Local level is required.

• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills demonstrated through a portfolio of high-quality materials (press materials, op-eds, reports, briefs).

• Strong media relations instincts; a track record of successfully securing coverage and managing crises.

• Ability to simplify technical topics into clear, accessible messaging for varied audiences.

• Comfortable in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment; proactive with a problem-solving mindset; hands-on approach is essential.

• Naturally collaborative with the ability to work cross-functionally and influence without formal authority.

🏝️ Benefits

• 100% company-paid comprehensive health benefits for Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance.

• Retirement plan with generous company contributions.

• FSA for Health and Dependent Care.

• 3 weeks of vacation time in the first year of employment.

• 11 paid company holidays.

• Paid sick time.

• Paid family leave.

• More!