Program Associate, Strategic Communications

ABOUT U.S. ENERGY FOUNDATION

U.S. Energy Foundation’s (EF) mission is to secure a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. We envision a healthy, safe, equitable economy powered by clean energy. We believe a thriving clean energy economy can create sustainable opportunities, spur innovation, and protect our climate—for today and future generations.

EF supports education and analysis to promote non-partisan policy solutions that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency while opening doors to greater innovation and productivity—growing the economy with dramatically less pollution. For more than 30 years, EF has supported grantees to help educate policymakers and the general public about the benefits of a clean energy economy. Our grantees include business, health, environmental, labor, equity, community, faith, and consumer groups, as well as policy experts, think tanks, universities, and more.

At EF, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are top organizational commitments. We are working daily to uproot racism and other forms of oppression and create equitable systems that support people to flourish. We aim to bring humility, transparency, respect, and an appreciation for others’ lived experiences to our interactions with colleagues, grantees, and partners.

EF’s Fundraising Philosophy

As EF’s primary clients/partners are our funders and grantees, EF commits to acting as a strategic thought leader for our current and prospective funding partners and the field by:

1. Collaborating—and co-creating, where feasible and desired—on strategy development, including the hosting and/or managing of funder collaboratives
2. Highlighting the opportunity for climate philanthropy to maximize benefits to disadvantaged communities and those most impacted by climate change
3. Offering excellent, responsive service by providing proactive, compelling, and timely updates and information

EF is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, and our more than 100 staff members are based in locations throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Western regions, where they can best serve our programs, partners, operations, and other functions.

POSITION SUMMARY

EF is looking for a highly organized and detail-oriented self-starter to join our Strategic Communications team as a Program Associate (PA). The PA will support our nationally distributed team to plan and manage projects and budgets, make and administer grants, and work with advocates and other partners to execute strategies and projects. Much of the PA’s time is focused on administering grants and contracts. Other key duties include managing projects within and outside the team; providing administrative support to the team (scheduling, drafting communications, etc.); developing and implementing systems and processes to facilitate internal and external collaboration; preparing and managing funder material; understanding and maintaining budgets; and planning and supporting meetings, conferences, and other events.

The PA will work with:

• Cross-programmatic teams at EF, including Policy, Strategic Communications, and States and Regions teams;
• Cross-functional teams at EF, including Operations and Strategic Partnerships; and
• Grantees, funders, and other external partners.

EF actively seeks to expand DEI within our organization and through our work. We encourage people of color and candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grantmaking

• Track and execute all steps in the grantmaking process, including:
  • serving as a primary contact for grantees and consultants,
  • gathering feedback and working with all parties to craft and finalize proposals and scopes of work,
  • reviewing financials and conducting initial due diligence, and
  • keeping the Strategic Communications team informed of progress and flagging questions that arise in a timely fashion.
• Process grants/contracts through EF’s internal systems in a timely and responsive manner.
• Prepare agendas, schedule meetings, and conduct relevant research to ensure effective conversations.
• Prepare the team and grantees/consultants ahead of meetings to help deliver effective conversations, including circulating materials, flagging relevant questions, coordinating on meeting agendas, and setting clear expectations for meeting outcomes.
• Assist in conducting research and performing due diligence on proposals or prospective grantees. Directly engage with grantees and consultants to seek additional information as needed.
• Work collaboratively to manage program budgets and reconcile budgets to actuals for cross-programmatic grants.

Internal Support and Coordination

• Foster effective coordination and integration within the Strategic Communications team, including using tools and systems to support collaboration and information-sharing, supporting regular team check-ins, etc.
• Schedule calls and meetings as needed and handle meeting logistics (arrange locations, prepare the technology interface, ensure agendas are circulated in advance, support meeting follow-up, etc.).
• Manage IT, administrative matters, and other general office needs.
• Prepare initial drafts of documents and presentations for internal and external audiences, such as board dockets, funder reports, proposals, and presentations.
• Serve as a liaison to other EF teams to ensure the Strategic Communications team is fully integrated with regional and national policy programs.
• Support the Strategic Communications team on campaigns and communications projects as availability permits.

 External Coordination

• Facilitate networking and information-sharing between a culturally diverse set of grantees/consultants and build connections with potential partners, as appropriate.
• Organize and/or support team meetings and convenings, including assisting with developing presentations and agendas.
• Represent EF and the Strategic Communications team at meetings, conferences, and other events, as agreed upon with your supervisor.

Build the Team

• Generate and implement ideas for systems, programs, and operational improvement.
  • Embody EF’s values of collaboration, service, learning, and responsibility.
  • Recognize that we are stronger when we are diverse and inclusive and embody these values in your internal and external EF work.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues. Contribute to a positive working environment.
• With assistance from supervisor and others, formulate own learning and development plan. Identify and seek out professional development opportunities, including networking, informational interviews, training, projects, etc.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Highly organized, with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, and digital communications skills.
• Proficient at handling multiple demands and confident working across a complex distributed team and other teams; experience supporting multiple priorities and juggling a variety of tasks for one or more individuals in a team environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working in customer service, thriving in a fast-paced work environment, and prioritizing competing obligations.
• Interest in one or more of the following areas: the philanthropic sector, nonprofit sector, issue campaigns, public policy, or strategic communications. Pre-existing knowledge or interest in clean energy or climate is not required.
• Pluses include:
  • Experience working on DEI
  • Project management experience
  • Grants management experience
  • Internet savvy, including digital and social media, online survey tools, etc.
  • Curiosity and enthusiasm for improving Americans’ lives and the outlook for future generations.
• Technical skills: intermediate or advanced skills using Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, preferably in a Mac environment; familiarity with Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and the Box platform. Experience using cloud-based relational database systems, such as Salesforce, is also a plus.

SUPERVISION

Reports to the Program Director, Strategic Communications.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position. The target salary for this position is $93,600 for a candidate based in the metro areas of San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, or Sacramento, and $84,600 for candidates in other areas of the U.S. EF provides a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental, vision, disability, and retirement benefits and paid time off.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Ability to travel two to four times a year for three to four business days at a time.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to spend extended hours at the computer. This position requires moderate levels of domestic travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

EF is a remote-first work environment. This position may be based in any of EF’s offices or may work remotely from anywhere in the U.S.

The office environments include some shared workspace, some individual offices, and shared kitchen facilities, with moderate noise levels and a collegial atmosphere. On occasion, there are activities or events after work hours.