Job Description
Organizational Summary: The Climate Leadership Council (the Council) is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote the most effective, fair, and politically viable climate solutions.
This is an exciting opportunity for an early-career communications professional eager to work at the intersection of policy, public affairs, and digital media. The Associate, Digital Communications & Public Affairs will support a fast-moving team on a broad range of communications and administrative functions – from managing the Council’s social media presence and website to supporting senior leadership and contributing to event planning and stakeholder engagement.
The Council offers:
· Flexible hybrid work environment
· Generous benefits package
· Free on-site fitness center
· Fantastic location, very close to Metro; on-site bike storage room
Position Overview: The Public Affairs Associate supports all aspects of the Council’s communications and public affairs work with a particular emphasis on digital channels, content creation, and administrative functions. They report to the Senior Director, Communications & Public Affairs and work closely with the Senior Associate and the broader leadership team. This role is ideal for an early-career communications professional who is digitally fluent, detail-oriented, and eager to learn and grow within a policy organization.
Responsibilities include:
Digital Channels and Content
• Draft, schedule, and post content across the Council’s social media platforms (currently LinkedIn and X) at the direction of the Senior Associate and Senior Director; monitor and promote engagement with stakeholders; flag notable activity.
• Maintain and update the Council’s websites using WordPress, including publishing new content, updating existing pages, and ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Serve as a point of contact for the Council’s website vendor; keep staff informed if/when website issues arise and ensure swift resolution of problems.
• Distribute the Nexus newsletter, managing the distribution list and handling final formatting and deployment.
• Create graphics and multimedia assets for digital use—including social media, email, and web—using tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Assist with drafting or proofreading other content as assigned, such as blogs or emails.
• Track and compile analytics for social media, website traffic, and email performance; produce regular reports for the Communications and Public Affairs team.
• Stay current on web search and AI optimization best practices, ensuring the Council’s digital properties are easily found by its stakeholder audiences.
Administrative and Organizational Support
• Manage calendars and scheduling for the CEO, EVP/COO, and other senior leadership as requested, including coordinating meetings with external stakeholders.
• Coordinate and book travel arrangements for leadership, including flights, accommodations, and itineraries.
• Draft and distribute agendas for meetings organization-wide meetings, including those involving senior leadership.
• Conduct research as requested to support media relations, legislative and political activity, policy analysis, and stakeholder development.
• Perform special projects as requested by the Senior Director, EVP/COO, or CEO.
• Support the planning and execution of Council meetings and events at the direction of the Senior Director and Senior Associate: set up registration pages, send promotional emails, track and report on registration, and assist with on-site staffing and post-event follow up.
• Research external conferences, forums, and speaking opportunities relevant to the Council’s work and leadership; compile and track a running pipeline of opportunities for review by the Senior Director.
General Communications Support
• Maintain and update the Council’s email distribution lists; pull lists or contacts for senior staff as requested.
• Draft and distribute the organization’s daily internal news clips.
• Track media coverage, op-ed placements, and other communications metrics for grant reporting purposes.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 0–2 years of experience in communications, public affairs, or a related field; experience with a trade association, think tank, advocacy organization, firm/agency, or on Capitol Hill is a plus. Strong candidates who are recent graduates will be considered.
• Demonstrated digital fluency, including proficiency with social media platforms and content scheduling tools, WordPress or similar, and email marketing platforms.
• The ability to produce clean, on-brand visuals is essential. Must have strong graphic design experience with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable tools. Additional experience with photography and/or video is a plus but not required.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with close attention to detail, clarity, and accuracy.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and requests simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style; comfortable supporting senior leaders while also taking initiative on independently owned tasks.
• Knowledge of climate or energy policy is a plus but not required.
• Above all, we are seeking someone who is ambitious, resourceful, eager to learn, and committed to doing excellent work in service of the organization’s mission.
Location: This position is based in DC in a traditional office setting, subject to the organization’s telework policy. Currently the organization is operating in a hybrid environment (3 days in office).
Compensation: Competitive salary range based on experience: $60,000-70,000; full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 403(b), etc.
Apply: Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to applicants@clcouncil.org.
The Climate Leadership Council is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive working environment. The Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, military or veteran status and other such factors in accordance with U.S. state and federal laws.