Director of Communications

We know that our climate goals can only be met by rapidly reducing emissions and removing the carbon that already exists in our atmosphere. Carbon180is a climate NGO with a vision to remove legacy carbon emissions from the atmosphere and create a livable climate in which current and future generations can thrive. Based in Washington, DC, we design and champion equitable, science-based policies that bring carbon removal solutions to gigaton scale.

Don't meet every single requirement? Here at Carbon180, we believe there is no "perfect" candidate and want to encourage applying even if all the requirements listed aren't met. Our goal is to build an authentic workplace by valuing diversity in our candidates. We are always looking to expand our growing team with dynamic and enthusiastic individuals. We look forward to receiving your application!

Overview

Carbon180 is seeking a director to lead our communications, marketing and public relations efforts in support of the organization's mission to scale carbon removal solutions. This individual will be responsible for developing and leading communications and marketing strategies. They will work cross-functionally to lead communications, marketing, & PR in partnership with the senior leadership team. Additionally, they will manage and lead a team of experts to manage internal branding, develop core messaging, oversee our information management platforms and website. They will also be a strategic thought partner to the Executive Team to develop media strategies, support public speaking, and streamline fundraising initiatives. This position requires proximity to Washington, D.C., within a two-hour driving distance .

The director will collaborate with all program, fundraising, and operational teams to develop impact oriented messaging that supports our strategic plan, expands our reach, and articulates how we are uniquely positioned to achieve our mission; leveraging our communications and marketing activities as a driver of strategy. They will help define our next chapter fostering an understanding of what audiences we need to reach and how to prioritize efforts based on strategic need.

This role is also responsible for setting and managing yearly and quarterly goals, overseeing budgets, and working with the development team to meet specified fundraising objectives. The director will report to the Executive Director.

Major Roles + Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement communications, marketing & PR strategies with clear priorities aligned to Carbon180's strategic plan.
• Ensure Carbon180's unique value and impact is defined and articulated.
• Drive professional and organizational growth conversations.
• Collaborate with the Sr. Leadership team to continue to establish our voice as a leader in the carbon removal field.
• Usher in a "seize the moment" approach that avoids perfectionism as a barrier to impact
• Bring bold vision and energy to inspire the team and the organization.

Team Management and Empowerment:

• Build and lead a high-performing team through hiring, mentoring, and support.
• Delegate effectively and foster an environment where team members thrive.
• Foster an impact oriented approach across the team's efforts.

Fundraising and Resource Development:

• Support organizational fundraising efforts, particularly in driving key messaging that articulates the impact of Carbon180.
• Oversee the communication team efforts to create fundraising collateral.
• Ensure a throughline and culture of philanthropy in communication efforts appropriate to each audience.
• Bring energy and enthusiasm for fundraising as a key organizational need.

Communications, Marketing & PR Execution:

• Plan and lead execution of innovative campaigns and efforts.
• Lead outreach efforts centered on our strategic initiatives and impact stories.
• Lead the team through audience mapping and resulting key messaging development
• Using a supportive change management approach, guide our existing and future efforts toward an impact focus aligned with strategy
• Ensure a continued strong brand and determine when we should revisit and refine

Project and Budget Management:

• Develop and oversee the annual Communications dept budget in collaboration with the Finance team

Culture and Cross-Team Collaboration:

• Promote transparency, inclusivity, and open feedback.
• Drive collaboration across teams for seamless project execution.
• Adapt to environments that may not have "all the ducks in a row."

Alignment with Organizational Values:

• Support growth conversations as a professional and for the organization.
• Embrace culture fit and demonstrate resilience in complex environments.

Our ideal Director of Communications believes deeply in our mission. Beyond that:

• Y ou actively seek opportunities to dismantle inequitable systems and other harmful corporate norms, and are eager to learn and grow your DEIBJ literacy.
• You're a driver of results . You've demonstrated the ability to set ambitious goals and achieve them, and you combine your exceptional strategic, analytical, visionary and critical thinking skills with your penchant to make data-informed decisions for impressive outcomes.
• You inspire and motivate others to action . You build trusting relationships quickly and deftly and engage your storytelling skills to elevate the impact of our work.
• You effectively collaborate to get things done. A relationship-builder at heart, you work with people to get things done in a mutually beneficial, non-transactional way. You are both warm and motivated. You do the things you say you will do, hold others to account, and support others pursuit of shared goals.
• CRM is your favorite set of letters . You juggle dozens of active relationships by staying organized, transparent, and communicative, internally and externally. You rarely drop balls, and others would describe you as someone who follows up with them to follow up with you.

• Creative problem solving fires you up . When faced with a mountain, you know there are plenty of ways to climb it. You're not dissuaded by challenges, but energized, and can build structure out of chaos.

Beyond that, you have:

• 5 years of experience in a leading strategic communications and/or marketing role within non-profit, government, or non-governmental organizations with a national reach
• Comprehensive understanding of communications and marketing strategy and implementation in a non-profit organization or similar setting
• Expertise in the climate and policy fields , including a commitment to integrating practices informed by Traditional Ecological Knowledge and led by Indigenous, Black, and other historically underrepresented practitioners.
• Demonstrated experience in policy communications and/or policy development with a track record of shaping narratives or driving influence within the policy landscape-or in a similarly relevant field where strategy meets impact.
• Knowledge of public relations strategies including and the ability to identify impactful PR opportunities.
• Proven success in developing and executing marketing and communication strategies that drive meaningful outcomes.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams, supervising employees, and fostering professional development in alignment with team objectives.
• Excellent communication skills, including comfort with public speaking and media engagement in high-profile settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice (DEIBJ), with a track record of applying these principles in communication platforms.

Carbon180 is deeply committed to providing market-leading compensation and robust benefits to our employees. Our salaries are in the 70th percentile of the Washington, DC market. We employ an external firm to conduct market analyses every three years, and we are committed to safeguarding internal salary equity. For those reasons, we have a non-negotiation policy on salaries.

The starting salary for this position will be between $178,090 - $194,280, with opportunities for growth up to $242,850.

Carbon180 prides itself on offering benefits and perks to our employees that illustrate how we live our values, including:

• 36-hour workweeks (we close at 1 pm every Friday) and dedicated no-meeting time each week.
• A remote-first flexible work culture.
• Four weeks of PTO, three weeks of paid org-wide breaks including one week in the summer and two weeks in the winter, four weeks of sick leave, and five floating holidays/personal days.
• 100% company-covered insurance premiums for medical/dental/vision/long-term disability for you and your dependents.
• Quarterly health and wellness, book, and learning and development stipends.

To apply for the role of Director of Communications, please submit an application.

On the application, you'll be asked to

• answer some basic questions about your background and experiences,
• in place of a cover letter, answer a few written reflection questions to help us learn more about your interest in joining our team and in this role specifically, and
• attach your resume in the application form.

Interview process and timeline

• Applications are being accepted and reviewed through May 23, 2025.
• There will be three rounds of interviews in May and June.
• We anticipate extending an offer in late June.

If you have any questions or issues submitting your application, please email us at hr@carbon180.org.

At C180, we believe in living by an internal set of core values, which we strive to embody and celebrate in moments big and small.

• One Boat. We work hard to ensure that we are rowing in one direction as a team, aligning our work and resources to shared goals..
• Pencil to Pen. We think critically, do our research, and weigh multiple options. Then, we commit to move to action.
• Win + Lose Together. When one of us succeeds, we all win. When we encounter challenges, we determine how best to redirect the energy and resources of the team to solve them.
• Person in the Professional. Our team is composed of real people with real passions, interests, and needs within and outside of work. We believe we need to care for ourselves and others to be our best and most productive selves at work.
• Make Space, Share Space. We believe in making space for all voices to be heard, within our team and our broader work - particularly and especially voices historically disenfranchised and disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change.
• Be a Window, Not a Door. We're committed to transparency, and to shining light on how and why decisions are made. We are honest with one another, ask for clarity, and operate with integrity to build a culture of trust.
• Grow the Braintrust. We are committed to constantly learning, and to staying up to speed on the science of our field. We work to grow our knowledge, sharpen our skills, and to bring great minds to the field of carbon removal.

We currently require that all employees who plan to enter a Carbon180 office or otherwise meet in person with coworkers or other third parties on Carbon180 business are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Accordingly, this role may require full COVID-19 vaccination (subject to any exemptions or accommodations due to medical or religious reasons).

Carbon180 is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Carbon180 continually seeks to enrich its staff and team culture. In particular, we're dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We're also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely different backgrounds can thrive. We've adopted this commitment because we believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Qualification

Bachelor's Degree