Director - Communications, CA (Recycling Outr

Responsibilities

• Lead California’s statewide recycling education and outreach efforts, partnering with national teams to drive strategy, implementation and performance to achieve behavior change and program outcomes
• Oversee statewide and locally delivered public education campaigns, coordinating with national teams and agencies to ensure alignment with CAA brand, messaging and strategic priorities
• Direct sector-based outreach and technical assistance efforts across commercial, multifamily and education sectors, as well as priority populations, ensuring alignment with statewide priorities and national frameworks
• Adapt national frameworks and best practices to California while enabling locally relevant, culturally responsive approaches
• Oversee California communications strategy, planning and execution, including media engagement and interest holder communications
• Oversee the development and maintenance of comprehensive messaging frameworks that support program implementation across all phases – from early market signalling to issue response – ensuring consistency with national positioning while tailoring for California’s regulatory and political environment.
• Anticipate emerging issues and oversee the development of both proactive and reactive messaging strategies – identifying risks and opportunities early, shaping narratives and advising leadership response in coordination with national communications leadership
• Ensure that CAA is monitoring the external landscape, including policy developments, regulatory signals, media narratives and interest holder sentiment, to proactively inform communications strategy and position the organization ahead of emerging issues
• Direct large-scale program delivery, including planning, vendor management and campaign execution
• In collaboration with national communications leadership, manage an annual budget of up to $100+ million and allocate resources to maximize impact and efficiency

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in communications, education & outreach, public engagement, or related fields, including leadership roles
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale outreach, communications, or behavior change programs
• Strong understanding of the recycling and solid waste management system, including how education & outreach functions within municipal service delivery; direct experience in California’s regulatory and program landscape strongly preferred
• Experience developing proactive communications strategies and managing issues in a complex, highly visible or regulated environment, with demonstrated ability to anticipate risks and shape narratives
• Familiarity with public policy, regulatory processes and interest holder dynamics, with the ability to operate effectively at the intersection of communications and public affairs
• Experience managing teams, complex initiatives, and significant budgets
• Ability to translate complex policy and technical requirements into clear, actionable public guidance
• Proven ability to work effectively in a multi-interest-holder environment