Program Manager

TO APPLY: Please upload a cover letter with your resume in a single file. Applicants that do not include a cover letter will not be considered.

Location

Fully remote, some travel may be required.

Who We Are

Sunstone Strategies is a mission-driven climate campaigning firm that leverages strategic communications to shape, pass, and implement equitable climate policies.

Sunstone was established in 2018, but our roots run deep—with a staff that draws on decades of experience in issue communications, justice-oriented advocacy and climate policy. Sunstoners offer a rare mix of policy expertise, campaign strategy, digital communications and the best public relations skills in the business.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for an exceedingly competent, climate policy-obsessed addition to our team with a strong background in communications, PR, policy campaigns and/or public affairs. This is a fantastic opportunity to work side-by-side with climate leaders and engage your skills by working on campaigns on behalf of diverse coalitions and stakeholders to secure climate policy advancement.

The ideal candidates have an interest in federal and state clean energy and climate policy politics and experience designing and leading communications strategies for social change - with a driving passion for undoing the social license of the fossil fuel industry.

We are looking for self-starters with a strong attention to detail, and a determination to develop professionally, while exemplifying human-centered values as an overall reflection of the work.

About the Role

Reporting to a Program Director or above, this position independently executes full media and client strategies across multiple issue campaigns. The Program Manager also owns day-to-day client relationship and management of defined scopes of work. This includes designing and adjusting tactics within a campaign’s overall strategy, owning day-to-day partner/client relationships for select contracts and mentoring Program Associates. This role blends independent execution with regular, trusted external partner/client-facing management.

Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

1. Work closely with team members and partner organizations to develop and implement joint communications strategies and tactics across multiple issue campaigns. Adjust tactics as needed for independently owned contracts or based on the campaign lead’s direction for larger campaigns. Ensure timely, high-quality deliverables are provided to partners.

2. Draft and edit high-quality reports and collateral, including press releases, media advisories, talking points, op-eds, Letters to the Editor (LTEs), fact sheets, website copy, social messaging, etc. Fact-check to ensure accuracy and credibility of all written materials.

3. Coordinate earned media and press outreach along with broader campaign team. Draft, pitch and lead proactive and rapid response efforts. Establish and cultivate key media and reporter relationships.

4. Manage coalition and partner relationships, owning day-to-day management of small to medium sized contracts. Lead coalition and partner calls and speak on behalf of Sunstone Strategies, as needed. Regularly report on work internally and to clients. Provide support to funder updates. Mentor junior team members, especially on client-facing skills.

5. Collaborate with partners and our digital and design team to support paid media strategies. Develop and manage the production of print and digital collateral including fact sheets, infographics, short videos, and websites. Draft and distribute social media toolkits and oversee social media production for campaign teams.

6. Draft messaging material and background briefing documents. Monitor campaign issues; legislative, regulatory, and political developments; and social media trends to keep the team informed on emerging state and federal climate policies and issue area updates.

Supervisory and Leadership

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities, and may mentor and train junior employees.

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Solid understanding of the climate and energy sector, environmental issues, and policy frameworks with a deep understanding of federal and state climate politics and the related media landscape

• Strong communication skills and skilled in navigating difficult conversations; skilled in writing and research, with a focused attention to detail

• Knowledge of emerging and evolving digital marketing and communication trends

• Skilled in analyzing complex policy issues and communicating them in a compelling, digestible manner for diverse audiences to encourage and drive coalition support

• Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders

• Ability to manage multiple, changing, and competing priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to own client/partner relationships and represent the firm with consistency and responsiveness

Minimum Qualifications

• More than 4 years of experience in roles with increasing responsibility in communications, public relations, and/or campaigning related to climate change

• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of climate and energy policy issues

• Established media/journalist relationships, covering relevant issue areas

Why Choose Sunstone Strategies?

Phasing out the nation's largest sources of fossil fuel pollution while building a clean energy system that works for all is difficult and rewarding. While we work on the edge of what most think is impossible, we take care of ourselves and each other. We hold a highly effective and distinctive work practice that is diligent and equitably centers care.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Highly collaborative and communicative work style as a peer, leader, and thought partner.

• Committed to learning, curiosity, and personal growth.

• Skilled in distilling complex issues into clear strategies and decisions.

• Excited by the unknown and eager to build.

• Committed to equity, transparency, and building positive team culture.

• Experienced working across lines of race, class, gender, and geography.

• Able to thrive within a dynamic, fast-paced environment and can move between solo efforts and teamwork.

• Open to giving and receiving direct, compassionate feedback.

• Highly reliable, organized, and self-motivated.

• Able to hold a high level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness, with ability to engage empathetically.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $82,379 to $92,677. Sunstone Strategies has a policy not to negotiate on salaries upon hire. Rather than rely on negotiation, we offer transparent pay aligned with experience, responsibilities, and organizational values.

This is a full-time salaried remote position with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, which includes:

• Employer-sponsored health, vision, and dental coverage for employees

• Healthcare and dependent care FSA plans

• Employer-sponsored life and AD&D insurance coverage

• 4 weeks of vacation leave

• 10 days of sick/personal time

• 14 paid holidays, including a personal holiday for your birthday

• Automatic 5% 401k employer contribution after 3 months of continual employment that is 100% vested

• Home office stipend to be used only within first three months of employment

• Monthly phone and internet reimbursement

• Annual professional development stipend

• Quarterly health and wellness stipend

• Year-end discretionary bonus

Our Commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Climate Justice

Sunstone Strategies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

We are committed to transparent and equitable recruitment, hiring, and promotion processes that foster inclusion and belonging. The climate movement has long suffered from, and been less effective, due to the absence of partnership with impacted communities and racial and social justice movements.

We believe that diversity in our team is not just a value; it brings different lived experiences and perspectives that are essential to solving the climate crisis. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still apply. People with identities and from communities that have been underrepresented in this space are encouraged to apply for this position.

How To Apply

Please upload a resume and cover letter as a single file on the posting at sunstonestrategies.com/careers. Applicants who do not include a cover letter will not be considered.

Due to the anticipated volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

If you need reasonable accommodation in order to complete the application, interview, or some other portion of the selection process, please contact us at peopleops@sunstonestrategies.com.

About Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage

Please take this opportunity to share your independent thoughts and authentic perspective with us without using artificial input or search tools. We want to understand how you perceive your experiences and how you think they may contribute to your success at Sunstone Strategies.

Your resume may have been developed with AI, but your resume should accurately represent your experience, skills, and qualifications. The use of AI in our hiring process, including writing the cover letter and responses to interview questions, thought exercises, or writing prompts, may disqualify your candidacy.

Our Hiring Process

This position will remain open until filled. Candidate review and phone screens will be conducted on a rolling basis throughout the recruitment period. The interview process will consist of an initial phone screening and two virtual interviews, all via Zoom and a potential writing assessment. Candidate finalists will be asked to provide professional references.

Applicants must be currently authorized to permanently work in the United States. At this time, we are unable to sponsor employment visas or provide relocation assistance for this role.