The ACT Now Coalition seeks a skilled communications professional to guide its communications strategy. The Communications Strategist will be supervised by the Executive Director of Generation West Virginia, a lead organization in the ACT Now Coalition, but work on behalf of the entire Coalition. The Communications Strategist will ensure proactive and strategic external communications that advance the ACT Now Coalition’s goals of growing good quality climate tech jobs and businesses in the Mountain State so that: (a) WV people and community institutions are aware of progress and can understand how to get involved in the Coalition’s efforts and they feel good about the Coalition’s efforts; and (b) Potential partners, funders, investors, businesses, and unions are aware of the Coalition’s efforts and seek out opportunities to engage with the Coalition. This is a temporary position through December 2024, with potential for extension based on budget availability.
The ideal person for this role will be excited about West Virginia’s future, passionate about sharing stories of progress in the Mountain State that motivate people to want to get involved, and eager to help grow climate tech jobs and businesses and support community development.
About the ACT Now Coalition
The ACT Now Coalition (www.actnowwv.org), officially launched in 2022, is a collaboration of key West Virginia cities, economic revitalization organizations, leading academic institutions, and private sector innovators working together to drive investment and create new jobs and economic opportunity in a 21 county coal-impacted region. In 2022, the Coalition was awarded $62.8 million in federal funds from the Economic Development Administration (U.S. Department of Commerce) and $26 million in matching dollars to advance a multi-sector strategy focused on revitalizing economically distressed regions. The ACT Now Coalition has been implementing 8 key projects aimed at creating economic opportunity in the region:
- GROW Now Workforce Initiative
- Community Business and Resilience Initiative
- RePower Appalachia Initiative
- Sustainable Mine Lands
- Black Diamond Factory (Wayne County)
- LIFT Center (Charleston)
- H-BIZ Manufacturing Hub (Huntington)
- Just Transition Center (Logan County)
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The ACT Now Communications Strategist will be responsible for working collaboratively with Coalition lead organizations to develop and execute a communications strategy. Specifically, the Communications Strategist will be charged with:
Strategic Planning
- Develop a strategic communications plan in collaboration with Coalition members that identifies goals, opportunities, challenges, audiences, and key outcomes
- Establish a strategic communications calendar that organizes a regular cadence of communications efforts, including key milestones and external events that will present strategic opportunities to advance ACT Now’s work, as well as targets for external communications efforts (e.g., newsletters, social media campaign, earned media tied to an event)
- Establish a budget that aligns spending with the strategic communications plan and goals
Message Development and Brand Management
- Work collaboratively with Coalition lead organizations, including their communications staff, to develop topline messages and communications frames that Coalition members and partners can use to talk about the work;
- Ensure that consistent messaging is used on all Coalition communications assets, including the website, social media content, print and digital materials;
- Ensure consistent management of the Coalition’s brand across its communications portfolio and assets;
Content Creation and Dissemination
- Work with partners and vendors to oversee development of creative content, including website, videos/film, interviews/podcasts, social media, print and digital assets that showcase the work of Coalition partners and the impact that it is having in people’s lives and communities
- When appropriate, ensure content is co-created with communities and key stakeholders so that it resonates with local people and is aligned with projects’ community engagement strategies
- Develop and manage efforts to create and distribute content via social media, working collaboratively with Coalition organizations and partners
- Establish and track metrics related to social media and digital content and adjust strategies and tactics accordingly
- Write blogs, press releases, social media posts, and website updates
- Develop and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and others who can cover the ACT Now Coalition’s work.
Project Management
- Effectively manage communications planning, content creation and distribution plans on schedule and on budget
- Engage lead organizations and their communications staff in the planning and project management process
- Proactively adapt plans as situations change, including identifying risks and working to mitigate those risks
- Keep Coalition lead organizations and partners informed and engaged with communications projects.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and experience. Please apply even if you have some but not all of these qualifications.
- Minimum of 5 to 7 years of relevant experience developing communications strategies, campaigns, assets, and/or materials
- Adept at designing social media content and leveraging social media platforms to attract and engage people and partners
- Experience working with and managing creative consultants and vendors (i.e., website developers, photographers, videographers, graphic designers) to develop content
- Skilled stakeholder management and relationship building skills – able to listen and understand different points of views and help chart a path forward
- Excellent customer service skills
- Excellent writing and presentation skills
- Commitment to understanding and sharing diverse voices in West Virginia
- Working knowledge of a range of communications and technology platforms, including but not limited: Wordpress, Mailchimp, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, etc.
Position Details
This is a temporary position through December 2024, with potential for extension based on budget availability. This is a part-time, 20-hour per week position and includes benefits.
The Coalition is open to considering either independent contract or employment relationship, depending on the circumstances. If applying for this position as a contractor, please submit a proposal through the applicant portal in place or in addition to a cover letter.
The Communications Strategist must live in West Virginia, be able to work remotely from a home office, and be willing to occasionally travel in the state for Coalition events and communications work. The Communications Strategist will be supervised by the Executive Director of Generation West Virginia, a lead organization in the ACT Now Coalition, but work on behalf of the entire ACT Now Coalition. The pay for this part-time role is $55,000 per year including benefits. The ACT Now Coalition effort is funded from 2022 to 2026.
To apply for this position or to submit a proposal, please submit HERE
