Who We Are

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), founded in 1991, is a climate organization with a mission to create equitable, climate change solutions around the world. We do this by forming collaborative, people-focused partnerships that support communities disproportionately impacted by the global climate crisis. For more than 30 years, ISC has utilized a unique, bottom-up approach to ensure solutions emerge from within communities, rather than being imposed from the outside.

Through a deep understanding of and commitment to communities that are the least likely to cause global climate change yet face the highest impacts, ISC develops creative and inclusive solutions, demonstrated in our work in the US and Asia. We actively partner with frontline organizations, subnational governments, and the private sector to co-create programs that support underinvested communities, women, and people experiencing poverty who comprise the global majority. ISC remains cognizant of communities’ varying needs, and we tailor our approach to support those needs. We believe equity and inclusion are fundamental to building healthy, prosperous, and peaceful communities and are committed to furthering equitable climate action.  ISC is implementing programs in the U.S. and Asia. Learn more at sustain.org.

What You’ll Do

The Associate Director, Communications will join ISC’s Marketing and Communications team to lead a group of communications professionals and manage project communications for ISC’s active grant portfolio. This role is critical in implementing communications strategies across projects and ensuring seamless fulfillment of program communications needs. This role will play a pivotal part in ISC’s Environmental Justice – Eastern Regional Grantmakers (EJ-ERG) program. ISC is one of three National Grantmakers under the EPA’s Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program and is primarily responsible for program wide communications. As the program’s communications lead, the Associate Director will coordinate with five partner organizations to achieve seamless, high-impact messaging. Through a creative, detail-oriented, and collaborative approach, this individual will play an essential role in establishing ISC as the voice of regional grantmakers, shaping a communications strategy that amplifies our collective impact.

Associate Director, Communications

• Oversee operational work within the communications team, including deliverables for all projects within ISC’s portfolio, ensuring timely execution and enabling the growth of the ISC brand.
• Implement EPA Grantmaking’s three-year communications strategy, fostering strong relationships and managing work related to storytelling, media outreach, and other key priorities. Assess ongoing effectiveness of strategies, adjusting as needed over the life of the grant.
• Liaise with EPA project partners and contractors to facilitate partner deliverables and workflow, supporting final decision-making.
• Serve as a project manager to coordinate the Marketing and Communications, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning teams to ensure that assets are flowing through the proper channels to be effectively communicated.
• Develop a strategic communications plan for assigned programs to guide project deliverables and achieve the objectives of the project work plan
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications and Programs colleagues to develop content strategy and support creative execution to provide consistent, targeted, and impactful messaging for all communications deliverables, while telling ISC’s overall brand story.

 What You’ll Bring

• Minimum seven years of experience in social impact marketing and communications, including nonprofit sector experience and two years in a supervisory role.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• Proven experience supporting the development and execution of a strategic communications plan and managing projects in a remote environment.
• Experience with government grants and systems like Meltwater, WordPress, and Constant Contact.
• Strong project management, writing, and editing skills, with the ability to convey complex topics clearly and concisely.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and experience supporting communities of color and those most affected by climate change.
• Passion for ISC’s mission and values.

What We Offer

• The salary range for this role is $95,179 – $116,594. We identify where the candidate falls within this range, based on many factors including experience and qualifications.
• A friendly, open work environment, excellent benefits and the opportunity to make a difference in communities around the world.
• Benefits for eligible US-based team members include:
  • Medical Plan with HRA
  • Dental & Vision plan, 100% paid for employee and family members
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • 403b Retirement Plan, with an automatic 2% ISC contribution and up to 4% matching contribution
  • Generous Paid Time Off
  • Life, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Casual and Flexible Work Environment
  • Appreciation of Work-Life Balance
  • Employee Assistance Program

Details:

• Work Conditions: This position will work from a fully virtual/home office which requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on computer and video platforms. Approximately 10-15% of travel is required.

ISC is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workplace. 

We encourage all applicants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, and ability, to apply.