Communications Manager, Electric School Bus Initiative

Program Overview
The 480,000 school buses in the United States account for 80% of all buses nationwide, yet less than 1% are electrified. School bus electrification represents a unique opportunity to accelerate decarbonization while bringing direct, tangible benefits to every community in the United States. This transition can help make electric mobility the new normal for an entire generation. Through the U.S. Electric School Bus Initiative, funded by the Bezos Earth Fund, WRI’s aim is to create unstoppable momentum over the next five years on a path toward electrifying the entire fleet of U.S. school buses by 2030. Overcoming the cost, infrastructure and policy barriers to mass adoption will require a systemic approach that engages an entire ecosystem of actors and prioritizes inclusive planning with impacted communities. WRI will achieve this by partnering with key stakeholders and project partners to work on five key pillars: 1) aggregate demand 2) scale manufacturing 3) develop innovative financing models 4) influence federal and state policy and 5) galvanize communities and stakeholders to push for an equitable and comprehensive shift towards electric school buses.

Job Summary
In this role, you will help shape and deliver a communications strategy to create momentum around electrification of school buses in the United States. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Communications and Engagement, Electric School Bus Initiative, you will also coordinate with the WRI Ross Center Director of Global Communications and Engagement. You will help build awareness and support for this initiative among a wide group of stakeholders – from school districts and manufacturers to public utilities, policymakers and community

You will oversee and manage communication efforts around branding, narrative and the production of materials and messaging tailored for specific stakeholder groups. You will be responsible for the creation and development of a website and digital home that can meet multiple needs. In addition, you will work with the project team to produce world-class communication products including reports, blogs, newsletters, and press releases. In addition, you will also be responsible for maintaining a social media presence, managing media relations and working hand in hand with a dynamic and growing team.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you will be based at WRI’s office in Washington, DC once restrictions have lifted.

Job Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver an effective communications strategy aimed at building awareness and support for the initiative among a wide variety of stakeholders
• Manage and oversee branding identity and narrative for the project
• Lead the development and management of a website for the project that can meet multiple needs
• Produce clear, consistent, well-targeted and compelling communications and messaging tailored for specific stakeholder groups
• Provide support for engagement and communications efforts across the project’s five pillars
• Help create and implement public campaigns at the local/state level and national level aimed at raising awareness and action
• Manage junior staff as well as external public relations consultants
• Oversee media relationships, including pitching stories and producing press releases, advisories and organizing press calls
• Write, edit and manage internal and external communications about the project including blogs, brochures, presentations, newsletters, op-eds, infographics, and social media
• Oversee social media accounts and online engagement; regularly track and evaluate metrics of success and adapt strategies to grow and improve outreach over time
• Build working relationships with WRI’s program communications teams, including from Cities, Energy and the U.S. teams, to identify opportunities for cross collaboration

Job Qualifications

• Five+ years of relevant professional experience in creating communications strategies and project management
• Master’s degree in relevant field (Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, etc.), or a bachelor’s degree with an additional two+ years of work experience
• Strong organizational and managerial skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with collaborative and diplomatic approach
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, manage multiple priorities, and work under tight deadlines
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal form; experience with writing and crafting messaging
• Ability to work cooperatively with others, demonstrate flexibility and creativity in fulfilling assignments
• Experienced in managing personnel and budgets as well as external contractors
• Professional experience at an environmental, clean energy or educational advocacy organization, and/or understanding of issues related to clean energy, environmental sustainability, education
• US work authorization required. WRI Is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of electric vehicle technology, particularly electric school buses
• Prior working experience and relationships with relevant industry trade press
• Knowledge and understanding of K-12 educational issues and challenges

Potential Salary: $79,000 – $106,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. 

How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter with resume. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

WRI Overview
World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.