Communications Specialist / Senior Communications Specialist — U.S. & Canada HDV and PV, plus Marine, Aviation, and Fuels

Responsibilities

• Strategy: Lead the development and implementation of strategic communications plans covering U.S. and Canada HDV and PV, and U.S.-audience Marine, Aviation, and Fuels communications.
• Coordination: Serve as liaison between ICCT's HDV/PV research and program staff (and, for U.S.-facing content, Marine/Aviation/Fuels staff) and the global communications team to ensure all communications activities across this portfolio are coordinated and align with ICCT processes and priorities, including by maintaining editorial and communications outreach calendars.
• Media: Lead media strategy across this portfolio by building and nurturing relationships with national- and state-level media contacts across a disparate media landscape — including independent journalists (e.g., those publishing on Substack), trade publications, podcasters/YouTubers, and traditional outlets covering vehicles, marine, aviation, and fuels policy; proactively pitch stories; and produce press releases, statements, and other promotional materials communicating this portfolio's initiatives.
• Spokesperson Development: Lead the development of ICCT's roster of spokespeople, including by organizing and delivering media training and coaching for researchers and staff.
• Partnerships: Lead the development of bilateral partnerships and coalitions relevant to this portfolio, including by identifying and cultivating existing coalitions that ICCT's work can support.
• Digital: Manage digital assets (including social media channels) for U.S. and Canada HDV/PV content and U.S.-audience Marine, Aviation, and Fuels content by planning, producing, and scheduling content. Collaborate with ICCT's Digital Coordinator and other leaders to plan digital strategies that advance policy goals.
• Events: Coordinate, lead, and represent ICCT at virtual/in-person events, workshops, conferences, and publication launches tied to this portfolio, including planning, logistics, material development, facilitation, panel moderation, external promotion, and coordination with external vendors.
• Production: Facilitate the progression of HDV/PV and U.S.-audience Marine/Aviation/Fuels publications through ICCT's editorial process, with particular emphasis on projects requiring comprehensive outreach. Support researchers and the editorial team to ensure efficient publication management.
• Internal Communications: Proactively inform ICCT staff about communications plans and activities across this portfolio, including by leading trainings or informational sessions.
• Insights: Proactively monitor, analyze, and report on the information ecosystem relevant to U.S. and Canada vehicle policy and U.S.-audience marine, aviation, and fuels policy, maintaining deep understanding of the policy and media landscape as it impacts this portfolio.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in communications, with expertise in developing and implementing strategic communication initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent professional experience) in a relevant discipline; a graduate-level degree is a plus.
• Expertise in public communications, including designing, implementing, and evaluating media outreach and campaigns.
• Demonstrated media savvy and an established track record building and nurturing relationships across a broad range of media formats — from national- and state-level journalists and independent commentators (e.g., Substack writers) to trade publications, podcasters/YouTubers, and traditional outlets.
• Experience with media training and coaching, or organizing trainings, to build and strengthen a spokesperson roster.
• Experience building and supporting partnerships, bilateral relationships, or coalitions.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and the ability to lead a team's communications approach in a dynamic, rapidly evolving media and policy environment, adapting strategy over a multi-year horizon.
• Outstanding writing and public speaking skills, with an exceptional ability to communicate technical information and policy details on vehicle, marine, aviation, and fuels topics to individuals from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience managing and supervising the work of contractors and vendors; experience supervising communications professionals or leading teams is preferred.
• A background in transportation or climate public policy, environmental sciences, climate change mitigation, or energy conservation is preferred; familiarity with marine, aviation, or fuels policy is a plus given this role's scope.

Preferred

• a graduate-level degree is a plus
• Experience supporting media training or coaching for spokespeople, or organizing trainings, is a plus
• Experience supporting partnerships, bilateral relationships, or coalition-building efforts is a plus
• A background in transportation or climate public policy, environmental sciences, climate change mitigation, or energy conservation is preferred; familiarity with marine, aviation, or fuels policy is a plus given this role's scope

Benefits

• We offer an excellent benefits package, including health insurance, substantial paid vacation, retirement contribution with a generous 7% employer contribution, transportation subsidies, and other benefits.