The New York Climate Exchange (The Exchange) is a new not-for-profit climate solutions center designed to build community, foster collaboration, advance climate knowledge, and empower marginalized communities through cross-disciplinary networking, impactful programming, and cutting-edge facilities. While The Exchange will have a physical presence on Governors Island, its spirit and influence will extend beyond the Island into New York City and across the country and world. Our diverse coalition of partners—committed and prepared to collectively disrupt the status quo—incorporates local and global perspectives on climate change from academia, the private sector, and community-level organizations. As the first of its kind, The Exchange will unlock integrated and scalable approaches to sustainability, ultimately serving as a global model for sustainable positive change.

The New York Climate Exchange (“The Exchange”) seeks to recruit a Director of Communications to spearhead our communication strategies as a new organization. This role presents a distinctive opportunity to develop and execute a global communications strategy, aimed at enhancing our visibility both locally and internationally, cultivating financial support, facilitating partnerships, and galvanizing collective climate action. 

Applicants should feel comfortable working in a fast-paced, start-up environment with tasks and roles changing on a regular basis. This position is full-time. The individual filling this role will primarily work in-person in the New York City area. Periodic remote work is allowed with prior approval. 

The position reports to the Chief Executive Officer.

Salary and Benefits 

Salary for the Director of Communications is between $160,000-$200,000 per year. The position includes eligibility for generous health and retirement benefits, and paid time off/sick leave. 

Salary will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to qualifications, experience, education, licenses, and specialized training. The above hiring range represents The Exchange’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Responsibilities 

Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and other key leaders at The Exchange, the Director of Communications will:

1. Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies to effectively convey The Exchange's mission and initiatives. Collaborate closely with senior leadership to ensure alignment with organizational goals.

1. Shape our narrative around climate solutions and equity, ensuring clear and impactful messaging that resonates with diverse audiences. Drive the development of The Exchange's brand identity and voice. 

1. Cultivate relationships with media outlets and key stakeholders to amplify The Exchange's visibility and influence. Serve as a spokesperson for the organization, adeptly navigating media inquiries and opportunities. 

1. Oversee the creation of compelling content across various platforms, including press releases, articles, social media, and multimedia materials. Utilize innovative approaches to engage and inform target audiences. 

1. Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer and fundraising team to develop communication strategies that support fundraising efforts. Create compelling narratives and materials to engage potential donors and sponsors, articulating the impact of their support on advancing climate solutions. 

1. Work closely with the Programming Team to promote the organization's initiatives, events, and achievements. Develop communication plans to highlight the impact of our programs and partnerships, showcasing our leadership in the climate space.

1. As needed, work with program teams on the structure of their work to ensure it advances the goals of the Exchange to deliver transformative results.

1. As resources increase, the Director of Communications will be expected to build out a team with the necessary skillsets to deliver on all of these goals with a fast-moving and geographically dispersed set of partner organizations. However, given The Exchange is still in startup mode, these tasks will likely fall disproportionately on the Director of Communications, and candidates should only apply if you have a willingness to roll-up your sleeves to ensure the job gets done at the highest level of quality.

Position-related Qualifications 

1. Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, environmental studies, or a related field, accompanied by a minimum of 7 years of experience in strategic communication, media relations, or public affairs, preferably within the climate change or environmental sector. 

1. Demonstrated understanding of climate policy, finance, technology or science issues and a commitment to advancing climate solutions through strategic communication. Ideally, applicants should have a solid familiarity with approaches and rhetoric employed by those who seek to impede climate action, and a strategy for how to navigate such approaches. 

1. Extensive experience in leading communication initiatives, with a track record of driving impact and achieving organizational objectives. 

1. Proven ability to work with and across teams, both as a team leader and team member. 

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. 

1. Must contribute to an environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

1. Must be able to work independently and collaboratively on complex tasks on tight deadlines.

New York Climate Exchange Staff Core Competencies 

• Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how partners and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally, and socially sustainable. 

• Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of clients/partners and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients/partners. 

• Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across The Exchange, partner organizations, and other relevant institutions. 

• Makes choices and sets priorities with The New York Climate Exchange corporate perspective in mind. 

• Helps others to understand problems, partner and client needs, and the underlying context. 

• Recognizes the value of diverse perspectives and lived experiences and applies a critical lens to systemic sources of bias and discrimination.

• Applies critical thinking and seeks input and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with The Exchange’s strategy. 

• Evaluates risk and anticipates the short- and long-term implications of decisions. 

• Commits to a decision and acts once it has been reached. 

Preferred consideration will be given to applications received no later than April 5, 2024. 

The New York Climate Exchange provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, height, weight, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Note: Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups only apply if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about our mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

You must be able to work in the United States as The Exchange does not yet have visa-sponsoring capabilities.