Director of Communications and External Affairs

OCPA is a dynamic, new agency serving the public in the space of clean and affordable green energy. Supported by the passage of Assembly Bill 117 in 2002, Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) was established in 2021 to be part of California’s growing renewable movement, providing millions of users the opportunity to embrace a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future. As a new Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) in California,

OCPA enables local government control over how and where electricity is purchased. Local cities and counties can opt into a CCA program and offer customers (residential, commercial, and municipalities) the opportunity to select the source of their electricity and the rate they want to pay.

About the Position

The Director of Communications and External Affairs will be responsible for increasing positive perception and customer awareness of OCPA. This position will help resource a growing department and contribute to short and long-term strategies designed to promote OCPA’s mission and strengthen the public trust and integrity of OCPA’s brand. This position will initially serve under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer. As the organization expands, direction will transfer to the Chief Operating Officer.

The successful candidate will possess a proven track record of solid leadership, communication skills, social media marketing, and a passion for sustainability.

Qualifications

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

in Communications, Business, Marketing, Public Relations,

or related field, equivalent experience, AND six (6) years of

senior management level experience in policy, government,

or a related field. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.

• Expertise in digital and print marketing, Marketing Key

Performing Indicators, (KPIs), email marketing platforms,

Adobe Creative Suite, CRM, online and social media

marketing, website content management systems, energy

program implementation, and grant management.

• High ethical standards, an open and approachable

demeanor, and an interactive leadership style in support of a

cooperative work environment.

• A talent for developing networks, collaborative alliances, and

engaging in cross-functional activities.

• Excellent communication skills, thoughtful listening, and

openness to other’s ideas.

• Visionary, strategic thinking, promoting alignment between

OCPA’s vision and values and emerging internal and

external trends, translating vision to action.

• Knowledge and familiarity with the region and energy-related

policies.

• Direct experience working with local and state government

officials and staff around a variety of related issues.

Application and Selection

To receive consideration, submit your resume, cover letter, and a list of six professional references (two supervisors, two direct reports, and two colleagues) to Gabriele Friedman, OCPA Human Resources, at gfriedman@ocpower.org.

Your resume should reflect years and months of employment, beginning and ending dates, as well as the size of staff and budgets you have managed. Submissions will be carefully reviewed and candidates for consideration selected based on their unique combination of knowledge, skills and experience relevant to success in this position.

Submissions will be accepted on a continuous basis with a first review date of May 1, 2024.

Additional information may be found on OCPA’s website www.ocpower.org.