Senior Manager, Communications and Engagement, 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 lead strategic engagement and communications for WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative, which has the goal of transitioning every U.S. school bus to electric by 2030. You will develop and lead the implementation of an ambitious and integrated engagement and communications strategy across the initiative’s five pillars of activities, with a wide range of stakeholders. You will play a major role in achieving the initiative’s goals and will be a part of WRI’s Cities program, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.

Reporting to the Director of the Electric School Bus Initiative, you will work in close coordination with the WRI Ross Center Director for Global Communications and Engagement. You will play a critical role in building an engagement and communications strategy that effectively positions this program with a broad range of key stakeholders, from school districts and manufacturers, to public utilities and policymakers. You will be instrumental in developing an overall communications narrative and brand identity for the project.

You will also develop and lead an engagement strategy focused specifically on cultivating community partners and groups, such as local and national nonprofits, parents and PTO organizations, schools and education groups, environmental advocacy groups, and social/environmental justice groups, to ensure diverse voices are represented, and project implementation is equitable. You will guide a “communities-first” approach to engagement and relationship building, with an eye towards equity and diversity considerations. You will provide vision and leadership for implementing public outreach campaigns at the local, state and national level to help galvanize community support for this initiative’s key goals.

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

• Lead strategic engagement and communications for WRI’s US Electric School Bus Initiative, which has the goal of transitioning every U.S. school bus to electric by 2030
• Develop and lead the implementation of an ambitious and integrated engagement and communications strategy across the initiative’s five pillars of activities, with a wide range of stakeholders
• Play a critical role in building an engagement and communications strategy that effectively positions this program with a broad range of key stakeholders, from school districts and manufacturers, to public utilities and policymakers
• Develop an overall communications narrative and brand identity for the project
• Develop and lead an engagement strategy focused specifically on cultivating community partners and groups, such as local and national nonprofits, parents and PTO organizations, schools and education groups, environmental advocacy groups, and social/environmental justice groups, to ensure diverse voices are represented, and project implementation is equitable
• Guide a “communities-first” approach to engagement and relationship building, with an eye towards equity and diversity considerations
• Provide vision and leadership for implementing public outreach campaigns at the local, state and national level to help galvanize community support for this initiative’s key goals
• Experience designing and leading implementation of successful engagement and communications strategies in one or more of the following settings: national, state or local government in the U.S.; national or state-level NGO, private sector or public service, or political campaigns

Job Qualifications

• 7-14 years of relevant professional experience in program implementation and project management
• 3-5 years of demonstrated leadership experience in a communications and public engagement focused position
• Master’s degree in relevant field (Communications, Economics, Finance, Science, Business, Policy, Education, etc.) or a bachelor’s degree with an additional two+ years of work experience
• Strong managerial skills and prior experience in designing and implementing communications and engagement strategies
• Strong interpersonal skills and empathy, with collaborative and diplomatic approach
• Proven track record in engaging with and organizing community stakeholders effectively
• 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
• Experienced in managing personnel and budgets as well as external contractors
• Demonstrated understanding of and direct experience working with equity issues
• Professional experience at an environmental, clean energy or educational advocacy organization, and understanding of issues related to clean energy, environmental sustainability, and/or education desirable
• US work authorization required. WRI Is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience, knowledge and contacts in the fields of US education, transportation or energy at the national or sub-national level
• Knowledge and understanding of electric vehicle technology, particularly electric school buses
• Prior working experience and relationships with stakeholder communities engaged in school bus issues
• Knowledge and understanding of K-12 educational issues and challenges

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

Potential Salary: $96,000 – $130,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. 

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.