Position: Communications Manager

Reports to: Communications and Brand Lead

Compensation: Competitive starting salary $97,500 - $124,900 commensurate with skills and experience. Full Pay Range: $97,500 - $152,200

*Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, and certifications in the pay equity assessment to determine equitable salary placement. Candidates should expect compensation offers within the starting compensation range. The full pay range is included to show the potential earnings for this position with sustained high performance.

Employment Classification: Full Time, Exempt

Anticipated Start Date: As soon as possible, position is open until filled

Close Date: 9/14/26

Office Location: Portland Metro Area, Oregon, USA

Our LocationEnergy Trust provides for a range of work location options, including remote, hybrid and in-office work. This position will represent Energy Trust in public settings and potentially at community events. We are open to candidates who live throughout Oregon and Washington.

The Communications Manager would be expected to report to the office on a quarterly basis, at minimum.

What You'll Do:

Stakeholder Communications Leadership and Delivery (approximately 70% of responsibilities)

• Under direction of the Marketing and Communications Lead, manage stakeholder-facing communications and manage staff responsible for the development and delivery of communication products for regulators, utilities, community partners, policymakers, industry organizations and other external stakeholders.
• As an individual contributor, develop, write, edit and deliver high-quality stakeholder communications, including reports, presentations, strategic communications plans, briefing materials, key messages, talking points, speeches, public-facing materials and executive communications.
• Independently research, analyze and synthesize complex technical, policy, regulatory and organizational information into clear and accurate communications tailored to stakeholder audiences.
• Build subject matter expertise across a broad range of energy-specific business, policy and program topics and rapidly translate new information into effective communications products with minimal direction.
• As assigned, provide strategic communications counsel to leaders, project teams and subject matter experts regarding stakeholder engagement, messaging, communications approaches and risk mitigation.
• As assigned, develop and execute communications strategies and plans that support organizational priorities, stakeholder understanding and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage a high volume of concurrent communications projects and requests, balancing competing priorities, shifting deadlines and emerging organizational needs.
• Respond effectively to unplanned, time-sensitive and high-profile communications needs, exercising sound judgment and maintaining quality under pressure.
• Ensure stakeholder communications are accurate, clear, audience-appropriate and aligned with organizational objectives, policies and messaging standards.
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with leaders, subject matter experts and cross-functional teams to gather information, clarify priorities and deliver effective communications products.
• Identify communications risks, gaps and opportunities and proactively recommend solutions.
• Guide and review stakeholder communications produced by the communications team while ensuring consistency, quality and strategic alignment.

Internal Communications (approximately 10% of responsibilities)

• Guide and manage the team in developing and delivering internal communications activities that help employees understand organizational purpose, programs, priorities and value; communications activities include all staff meetings, a monthly internal newsletter, trainings and orientations, and email and Microsoft Teams communications.
• Advise Human Resources and organizational leaders to develop and deliver employee communications as needed to support staff awareness and engagement.

Team Management and Leadership (approximately 20% of responsibilities)

• Supervise, coach and develop a team of communications specialists, providing clear direction, feedback, prioritization support and professional development opportunities.
• Review and provide substantive editorial and strategic feedback on communications products produced by team members.
• Establish team priorities, allocate resources and adjust workloads to ensure timely delivery of stakeholder communications and organizational priorities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, responsiveness, collaboration and high performance while maintaining strong service to internal clients and external stakeholders.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position supervises a team of communications staff and manages professional services contracts.

Requirements
What you'll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, political science or related field.
• Master's degree in public policy, public administration or commensurate experience working in a policy environment or government relations role, desirable.
• Minimum seven years of experience as a communications project manager or manager, producing tailored communications and reports for staff, stakeholders and consumers.
• Minimum of four years of communications experience specific to an energy policy setting with strong familiarity of energy efficiency and renewable energy program concepts strongly preferred.
• Specific experience in a government relations setting is preferred.
• At least two years of experience supervising staff and/or managing a team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong presentation skills and sound judgment in determining relevance of information based on context.
• Experience producing communications and reports targeted to organizational stakeholders.
• Experience producing high-quality, accurate public communications, including speeches, presentations, reports, newsletters, case studies and press releases.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn unfamiliar subject matter, evaluate information from multiple sources and synthesize complex concepts into clear, accurate communications for stakeholder audiences.
• Demonstrated success working in highly collaborative environments that require relationship building, consensus development, peer and leadership engagement and multiple review and approval cycles.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Experience prioritizing and executing tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to write and edit copy, applying Energy Trust's organization style. Knowledge of AP style preferred.
• Advanced user-level understanding of Microsoft Office suite, especially MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint. Experience using SharePoint preferred.
• Must be a proactive professional who has proven success in a fast-paced, highly demanding work environment, and who can be flexible and responsive to changing context and communication opportunities.
• Must be able to interact with a diverse workforce and be comfortable working in culturally diverse settings and groups.

The above information is designed to outline the major functions and position requirements of this job. It does not identify all tasks that may be expected, nor address the performance standards that must be maintained.

Benefits
What You'll Get:

• Health/dental/vision insurance
• Employer sponsored and paid life/disability
• 401(k) with a company contribution of 6% of your salary after 90 days of employment
• TriMet pass
• Access to health and dependent FSA/HSA accounts
• Generous paid vacation, holidays and sick days
• Paid volunteer hours
• Employee assistance program
• Career advancement opportunities
• Great colleagues and culture
• Flexibility to work from home and/or an office space at the Portland, OR location
• Work from home laptop provided

Read more about our benefits here

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please submit your resume, a sample of your writing and a brief cover letter that shares your interest in this role. All applications must be submitted via Energy Trust's website www.energytrust.org/About/careers.

All offers of employment are conditional pending the successful completion of a background check (which may include employment verification, education verification, criminal history, motor vehicle record) and reference checks.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that candidates from certain demographics are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification-for example, women and People of Color. At Energy Trust we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace-if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.