Senior Communications Manager, BEF

Responsibilities

• Serve as the central point of contact and clearinghouse for external communications requests, interview requests, speaking invitations, and media inquiries directed at BEF or its staff
• Build and maintain a proactive and reactive media relations approach to manage BEF's growing visibility in climate, energy, business sustainability, water resource, and environmental coverage
• Monitor, track, and regularly report to leadership on media coverage and public mentions of BEF, formalizing and expanding on existing tracking practices; Flag emerging risks and opportunities
• Prepare and coordinate spokespeople (executive leadership and program staff) for interviews, panels, and public appearances, including talking points and message alignment
• Manage BEF’s organizational social media presence, ensuring accuracy with brand voice and coordination with program-level social content
• In collaboration with the Chief of Staff support development of a reputational risk and crisis communications protocol, partnering with executive leadership on sensitive or high-visibility issues
• Serve as a central reviewer for externally facing communications requests and materials across programs, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with BEF's mission and values
• Manage relationships and performance of external communications contractors and vendors (e.g., graphic design, messaging/copywriting, media training), including scoping, budgeting, and quality control
• Maintain and evolve messaging framework across print, digital, and public-facing channels
• Partner with program teams to create, review, edit, finalize key organizational materials (annual reports, impact stories, newsletters, website content) that draw on and reinforce program-level communications work

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
• Experience in a nonprofit, environmental, or mission-driven organization, or climate, clean energy, water stewardship, or broader environmental sector
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or media relations, including experience coordinating communications across multiple teams, departments, or program areas
• Experience coordinating geographically dispersed or matrixed teams (i.e., influencing without direct authority)
• Demonstrated media relations and spokesperson-preparation experience
• Experience managing external vendors/contractors and communications budgets
• Proficiency with media monitoring tools, content management systems, email marketing, and design-collaboration platforms

Preferred

• Familiarity with the Pacific Northwest region
• Familiarity with energy, water, and/or corporate sustainability issues
• Managing crisis or incident-management communications experience

Benefits

• 100% Employer paid Medical, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Life insurance for employees; 75% subsidized for family/dependents.
• Retirement plan with 5% employer matching contribution.
• Generous PTO and Vacation Policy including alternative care and self-care leave.
• Four Week paid sabbatical after first 6 years, then every 5 years thereafter
• Opportunity to grow through training and development including a generous paid professional development budget.
• Hybrid work schedule.