Chief Communications Officer

About Us

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) is the leading voice of today's multi-tech clean energy industry, representing over 800 energy storage, wind, utility-scale solar, green hydrogen and transmission companies. ACP is committed to meeting America's national security, economic and climate goals with fast-growing, low-cost, and reliable domestic power.

Please do not apply directly to this post, email your resume to ACPCCO[redacted] Thank you for your interest!

Position Summary:

ACP is seeking a strategic, innovative, and dynamic Chief Communications Officer (CCO) to provide vision, leadership, and direction to drive positive perception of the Associations' brand and reputation. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this individual will be responsible for designing, shaping, and executing a comprehensive, multi-faceted communications program building on and growing the position of ACP as a leader in clean energy.

The CCO will be responsible for leading the Association's integrated communications and marketing teams who are responsible for media relations, social media, executive communications, crisis management, web, marketing, campaigns, and internal communications to help further our vision. The incumbent will leverage their strengths and skills to oversee the development, integration, execution, and evolution of an innovative and strategic communications plan. This plan will raise awareness of ACP with the media, influencers, and potential members and grow our audience and cultivate our voice and brand in the industry.

They will build a center of excellence of communication and PR resources, services and technologies that support the business in varying stages of growth. This position will work closely with the leadership team, Board of Directors, and regularly strategize with other staff on the execution of effective external and internal communications and social strategies.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

Communications Strategy

• Develop and oversee implementation of comprehensive communication and content strategies that align with the ACP's mission and goals to include reputation management, advocacy campaigns and member communications.
• Provide visionary leadership to drive communications excellence and innovation by gaining a deep understanding of ACP's technology sectors, thought leaders and spokespersons, to manage the communications to meet the Association's growth, brand, and coverage targets.
• Directly manage ACP's communications portfolio with relevant leaders within the department ensuring consistency of messaging, external positioning, and releases with members, regulators and policy stakeholders, and the public.
• Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to shape the overall strategic direction of the Association.
• Analyze data to inform strategic decisions and report findings to executive leadership. Provide strategic communications counsel to ACP's executive leadership team on media relations; crisis preparedness and management; and regulatory, policy and legislative initiatives. This includes anticipating and identifying challenges and emerging issues that may affect the Association's reputation, and proactively developing strategies to address them.
• Capably represent the Association at internal and external events and forums.

Marketing Strategy

• Direct and oversee innovative marketing campaigns and member communications that support ACP's programming and mission, driving member value.
• Serve as a marketing visionary, driving excellence in marketing team to drive content and revenue generating products that meeting ACP's growth, brand, and coverage targets.
• Develop and oversee implementation of comprehensive communication and content strategies that align with the ACP's mission and goals to include reputation management, advocacy campaigns and member communications.
• Develop breakthrough ideas, new strategic partnerships and programs that will further the Association's brand awareness, reputation, and consideration. Engage with stakeholders to gather insights, feedback, and support for communication initiatives.
• Strategize with external resources (consultants, members, industry stakeholders) to achieve exceptional outcomes, evolve their engagement with ACP, and hold them accountable for results.

Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, growth-focused internal communications and marketing team and oversee outside consulting firms and resources.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that encourages innovation and excellence.
• Provide regular feedback and professional development opportunities for team members, utilizing senior communications and marketing leaders to empower their teams.
• Establish and monitor department performance and development goals, strategically structuring the growth of the department.
• Establish departmental and individual goals and metrics and monitor performance and results for audience and revenue development.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with external consultants/vendors for PR, social, marketing, and other communication needs.
• Direct and manage the communications and marketing budget.

Operations & Oversight

• Optimize and evolve our communications advocacy campaigns and media/editorial calendar that result in excellent coverage through a combination of paid, owned, earned, and shared media. Communications will span new product/service offerings, acquisitions, events, industry, and Association milestones, research findings, policy direction, partnerships, and community endeavors.
• Create and implement internal/executive communications tailored to an engaged and involved employee and community population; effectively partner with peer departments to align messages and timing of content; foster a culture of open and transparent communication.
• Develop and oversee all marketing efforts for the Association including for conferences, events, membership, webinars, and new business ventures as needed by implementing stronger targeted marketing efforts, developing targeted prospect lists, increasing conference attendance and Association revenue, and facilitating more coordinated communications to Association members from all departments.
• Design and guide member and event marketing including the creation, design, and production of all marketing collateral and promotional materials, including electronic marketing, publications, e-newsletters, brochures, print advertisements, direct mail, website, the Association events app, videos, social media, and other delivery channels.
• Oversee the development and implementation of mixed-media media support materials (e.g., press kits, press releases, FAQs, bios, videos, vlogs/blogs, social, etc.) for ACP - while guiding the same for internal business units to deliver engaging, purposeful, and comprehensive content.
• Oversee social media team including content creation for various platforms, campaign planning, tracking, and analyzing data, identifying trends, building community and brand reputation.
• Lead and support communications and PR research projects to help internal teams and executives better understand and act on community directions trends.
• Lead the creation and on-going maintenance of messaging and communications frameworks that ensure a consistent "one voice" presence in our target markets including our membership and the public.
• Oversee all written material intended for distribution to policymakers to ensure they are written and designed in keeping with ACP's voice and branding.
• Serve as ongoing liaison to communications officers and spokespeople for member companies and partner organizations.
• Develop and implement robust metrics to track communication impact and outcomes.
• Prepare regular reports for the Executive Team, key stakeholders, and partners on communication and marketing performance and impact.
• Ensure transparency and accountability in all communication activities.

Education, Experience & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field required. Advanced degree strongly desired.
• 20+ years of progressive senior leadership roles responsible for public relations, corporate communications and campaigns required. An understanding of clean energy a plus.
• Demonstrated experience across PR, social media, digital, marketing and audience development, including responsibilities for planning, writing, editing, and production of newsletters, press releases, marketing literature, and other print publications and directories.
• Previous experience in political campaigns, government or public affairs is required as are strong relationships with the media.
• Demonstrated people leadership, critical thinking, negotiation, facilitation, consulting, problem solving, decision-making, strategic and analytical skills.

Job Conditions:

We are a fast-paced, high-energy organization with a very ambitious agenda and a staff that is highly motivated. This position may experience high-level work demands and independent decision-making under tight timelines. Occasional travel outside of the Washington, DC area for meetings or events may be required. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. ACP will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

We reasonably believe that the base salary range for this position is $450,000- 600,000. At ACP, a wide range of factors are considered when making compensation decisions including and not limited to skill set, experience, training, education, knowledge, and other business and organizational needs. ACP offers 401k, PTO and sick leave, commuter benefits, wellness reimbursement, and professional development/tuition reimbursements for eligible employees. #LI-DNI

This privacy notice applies to the processing of personal information that ACP collects about candidates for employment. Throughout the application process, ACP may collect some or all of the following categories of personal information: name and address; email address; age or date of birth; race or other demographic information; occupation and employment history; phone number; education; and/or social security number or other identification data.

ACP provides this information to third-party service providers to store and process this data on our behalf, for background checks, and for regulatory compliance. ACP does not sell any applicant personal information.