Manager, Program Communications

# ABOUT U.S. ENERGY FOUNDATION

U.S. Energy Foundation’s (USEF) mission is to secure a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. We envision a healthy, safe, and 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.

USEF supports education and analysis to promote nonpartisan 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, USEF 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.

We are working daily to 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.

# USEF’s Fundraising Philosophy

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

– **Collaborating on strategy** — collaborating and co‑creating, where feasible and desired, on strategy development, including hosting and/or managing funder collaboratives
– **Highlighting climate philanthropy opportunities** — highlighting the opportunity for climate philanthropy to maximize benefits to disadvantaged communities and those most impacted by climate change
– **Offering excellent service** — offering excellent, responsive service by providing proactive, compelling, and timely updates and information

USEF is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and our more than 125 staff members are based throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Western regions, where they can best serve our programs, partners, operations, and other functions.

USEF believes that a diverse workforce makes us a more effective organization and is essential for achieving a clean and equitable energy future. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

# POSITION SUMMARY

The Manager, Program Communications, is an individual contributor on USEF’s Program Operations Team, responsible for translating USEF’s and Energy Action Fund’s (EAF) programmatic work into compelling communications for key external audiences, including funding partners and partner organizations such as grantees.

The role centers on three interconnected areas of work:
1. Drafting high‑quality funder grant proposals and reports, along with supporting partner communications
2. Owning the content strategy for USEF’s/EAF’s Program Dashboard
3. Developing and managing an organization‑wide process for grantee communications

The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer who can synthesize complex clean energy policy and program content into clear, persuasive narratives—working closely with USEF Program staff, the EAF team, and Strategic Partnerships (SP) colleagues to ensure consistency, accuracy, and impact across all funder‑ and grantee‑facing products.

# ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

## Funder Communications

– **Draft funder proposals** — serve as the primary first drafter for funder grant proposals and reports across USEF/EAF portfolios.
– **Synthesize program content** — work closely with Program team experts to identify compelling content and synthesize input into cohesive, persuasive documents.
– **Align narrative strategy** — ensure all funder‑facing products align with USEF’s overall narrative strategy.
– **Distill complex initiatives** — translate complex programmatic initiatives into clear, motivating communications.
– **Leverage new technology** — use tools such as Claude to support efficient content creation and knowledge management.
– **Support partner communications** — contribute to funder updates and Impact Reports as needed.
– **Stay informed** — remain current on USEF/EAF initiatives and the broader climate and clean energy policy landscape.

## Grantee Communications and Coordination

– **Develop grantee communication process** — create and manage an organization‑wide process for communicating with grantees.
– **Define goals and cadence** — partner with Program and Grants staff to define goals, cadence, and formats for grantee communications.
– **Gather impact information** — work with grantees and staff to collect information needed to tell the story of funded work.
– **Collaborate with SP team** — coordinate brand and risk review when appropriate.
– **Align with grants management** — ensure communications align with grants processes and sequencing.
– **Strengthen grantee relationships** — identify opportunities to improve communications practices.

## Program Dashboard Management

– **Own Dashboard content** — serve as the content owner for USEF’s/EAF’s Program Dashboard.
– **Maintain update cadence** — ensure timely, accurate updates reflecting organizational priorities.
– **Surface key developments** — work with Program teams to identify relevant milestones and impact data.
– **Align with funder strategy** — partner with SP and technical staff to ensure consistency with broader communications strategy.
– **Enhance funder experience** — identify opportunities to improve content organization, navigation, and presentation.

## Internal Collaboration and Coordination

– **Improve internal knowledge sharing** — strategize with Program Operations on continuous improvement of internal content sharing.
– **Support Program staff** — offer guidance and thought partnership on communications activities.
– **Participate in cross‑functional meetings** — stay current on organizational priorities.
– **Oversee consultant contracts** — manage consultant support when needed.

# QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in program communications, grant writing, development communications, or a related field within a nonprofit, foundation, or advocacy organization.

Key qualifications include:

– **Exceptional writing skills** — ability to synthesize complex content into compelling narratives.
– **Strong editing skills** — refine and adapt content for diverse audiences.
– **Storytelling instincts** — proactively gather information to craft impact‑driven stories.
– **Project management** — manage multiple complex projects under tight deadlines.
– **Technology comfort** — leverage tools including large language models.
– **Climate advocacy familiarity** — understand major issues and trends in clean energy advocacy.
– **Cultural competence** — contribute meaningfully to equity‑centered work.
– **Entrepreneurial mindset** — think creatively, take initiative, and work independently.
– **Service orientation** — commitment to helping the organization fulfill its mission.

# SUPERVISION

Reports to the Senior Director, Program Operations.

# COMPENSATION

This is a full‑time position.
Target salary:
– $144,000 for candidates based in San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, or Sacramento
– $129,600 for candidates in other U.S. locations

USEF provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

# OTHER REQUIREMENTS

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

# PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This role requires extended hours at a computer and moderate domestic travel. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

# WORK ENVIRONMENT

USEF is a remote‑first environment. This position may be based in any USEF office or fully remote within the U.S.

Office environments include shared workspaces, individual offices, and shared kitchen facilities, with moderate noise levels and a collegial atmosphere. Occasional after‑hours events may occur.

Apply here