About Invest in Our Future

Invest in Our Future (IOF) is a philanthropic initiative and strategy hub focused on accelerating clean energy deployment and unlocking clean energy benefits for all Americans. IOF brings together the power of philanthropy and partner organizations to unleash the enormous economic potential of clean energy to create good jobs for American workers, generate new investment in American communities, and reduce the pollution that causes climate change. Through our large and diverse portfolio of grantees, we support work to speed siting and permitting of utility-scale projects; grow the market for community-serving, commercial-scale clean energy; expand the clean energy workforce and improve job quality; and build the durable public support needed for faster deployment. We coordinate and work closely with partners to align strategies and focus the field’s resources on the most pressing obstacles holding back clean energy buildout.

Position Overview

The Communications Director will lead IOF’s communications strategies and related grantmaking to advance clean energy deployment and highlight its benefits. By strengthening the communications capacity of deployment focused groups, the Director will help increase project success and positively shape local perceptions of clean energy, especially in rural, conservative, and working-class communities. In collaboration with the Builders Network Director, they will design and execute programs that activate network members as storytellers across local, state, and regional media. The Director will also oversee pilots and partnerships to refine narrative strategies that influence public and policymaker opinion, working closely with the Builders Network Director and IOF Program Officers. By elevating the communications capacity of deployment focused groups, the Director will help increase project success and positively shape local perceptions of clean energy, especially in rural and working‑class communities.

 

Pay Range

$165,000- $185,000. This represents the present low and high end of IOF’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience. 

 

Work Schedule

Candidates will be considered for Remote or Hybrid Washington, DC duty stations. Washington, DC based employees are on a hybrid work schedule. Current policy requires staff to be in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays and additionally as necessary.

 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic leadership, in partnership with the Builders Network Director, to design and execute high‑impact communications initiatives that build public and political support for clean energy projects in priority geographies, including roundtables, earned media efforts, grasstops advocacy, and site‑based storytelling.
  • Forge and steward high‑level partnerships with philanthropic, industry, and civic leaders to align and mobilize broader support for clean energy deployment.
  • Oversee the development of advanced communications and policymaker‑education training programs that strengthen the capacity and influence of Builders Network members.
  • Lead the design and implementation of digital media strategies and experimentation to significantly expand the reach and effectiveness of Network members’ stories.
  • Provide strategic oversight of a communications‑focused grant portfolio, including sourcing, due diligence, performance monitoring, and ongoing learning.
  • Direct and manage external consultants, ensuring clear scope, alignment with strategic priorities, and accountability for high‑quality deliverables.
  • Produce high‑quality written materials—including strategy briefs, messaging guidance, and reports—for internal use and for external funder, partner, and stakeholder audiences.

 

 

Education, Experience, and Skills

  • Generally expected to have 10+ years of relevant experience leading public communications and developing integrated communications strategies, ideally within climate, energy, environmental, or related issue areas.
  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • Strong track record of engaging government officials and diverse stakeholder groups to advance priority issues, with the strategic and analytical judgment needed to navigate complex environments.
  • Highly organized, solutions‑oriented leader who thrives in dynamic settings, collaborates effectively across teams, and leverages organizational expertise to drive clarity and results.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trust‑based relationships, balance the needs of multiple stakeholders, and drive innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Recognizes the value of different perspectives and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity in every aspect of work.

 

Competencies

  • Bias for Action: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.  
  • Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. 
  • Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.   
  • Strategic Learning: Actively learns through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder. 
  • Values Differences: Recognizes the value of different perspectives and commits to inclusion, equity, and diversity in every aspect of work.

 

Travel Requirements

This position may be required to travel up to 25% of the time.

 

What We Offer

  • 21 days of paid time off, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, 12 holidays, as well as a paid holiday year-end office closure
  • Fully covered medical, dental, and vision plan options for yourself and 85% coverage for eligible dependents
  • Optional Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Short- and Long-Term Disability
  • 401(k) with generous company contribution and match
  • Supplemental life insurance
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave
  • Monthly business allowance for remote work for all employees
  • Commuter benefits
  • Learning and Development Resources

 

 

Invest in Our Future is a fiscally sponsored project under RF Catalytic Capital, Inc. (“RFCC”). RFCC is a new 501(c)(3) public charity, launched by the Rockefeller Foundation in 2020, whose work is to develop, support, and/or apply innovative solutions to address the world's most intractable social and environmental problems impacting vulnerable people and communities. This position will begin at RFCC and may be transferred or assigned to Invest in Our Future. Such transfer or assignment, if at all, would in all aspects be subject to RFCC’s sole discretion.

 

Invest in Our Future is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, or liability for service in the United States Armed Forces.

 

RFCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.