Vice President, Communications, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

Background

Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) is the nation’s leading investment intermediary and network CDFIs serving rural, urban, and Native communities across the United States. With over $1 billion in total assets under management, OFN manages a national membership network of over 410 mission-driven lenders and CDFIs, including community development loan funds, credit unions, green banks, community development banks, minority depository institutions, and venture capital funds. OFN is a trusted investment partner to the public, private, and philanthropic sectors – foundations, corporations, banks, government agencies, and others. For more than 30 years, our team has helped partners invest in communities to catalyze change and create economic opportunities for people and places traditional finance doesn’t reach.

To learn more, visit www.ofn.org

People who work at OFN come from a variety of professional and academic backgrounds. If you have:

• Passion for the mission and true believer in our core purpose.
• Courage to be a fearless advocate who is confident and resilient in our fight to drive capital into low-income communities.
• Smart, quick seekers of knowledge who thrive on creating and developing new strategies, products, and programs for increasing capital to communities we serve.
• Desire to be a collaborative team player who possesses humility and a willingness to lean in all areas of our work.

Come be a part of our growing diverse, highly committed, skilled, and collaborative staff. At OFN, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply nonetheless. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Summary

OFN seeks to fill the role of Vice President (VP), Communications, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. This position will lead communications for OFN’s program under the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA), part of the EPA’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). As part of the strategic communications team, this role will serve as the dedicated lead in designing and achieving all aspects of internal and external CCIA project communications. The VP will ensure the development of strategies, high-quality content, and other reporting that informs audiences, elevates learning, and demonstrates impact.

The VP will lead the promotion of project activities through key communication channels and will engage critical partners, OFN members, and community stakeholders through strategic outreach and innovative communication practices.

This position is based in Washington, D.C. All staff currently work a hybrid schedule.

Responsibilities

• Ensure alignment of GGRF’s strategic communications efforts with programmatic goals.
• Collaborate across the OFN Climate and Strategic Communications teams to develop and execute the project’s overall communications strategy (internal and external).
• Develop and mentor GGRF communications staff and other technical staff to create high-quality communications products in support of project goals.
• Build strong relationships across GGRF stakeholders, including relevant EPA offices, OFN members, policymakers (in close collaboration with the OFN Policy team), other GGRF implementing organizations, etc.
• Oversee other project outreach and campaigns through identified digital and other platforms and channels: blog, website, social media, events, etc.
• Work closely across matrixed CCIA staff to design project-specific communications and outreach strategies, including identification of strategic channels and key influencers, particularly those related to promotion of funding opportunities and use reporting data, borrower stories, lessons learned, and other accomplishments to deliver effective storytelling.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of grant activities and deliverables specifically related to communication and outreach activities, including the CCIA engagement strategy with low-income and disadvantaged communities.
• Collaborate with Strategic Communications and Marketing staff to ensure communication and branding of CCIA events and workshops.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency of public information materials.
• In collaboration with Strategic Communications, coordinate CCIA-related press and other media outreach.
• Provide strategic communications advice to clients and staff and deliver high-quality communications products.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or 5-7 years of direct work experience in a similar role in lieu of a degree required.
• Minimum 3-7 years of relevant experience, including 3+ years of experience independently managing communications for high-profile programs.
• Demonstrated work experience in digital communications and strategy.
• Experience working in a fast-moving, matrixed environment of growth and change with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with U.S. Government program communications, including requirements and approvals related to branding, advertising, and public relations preferred.
• Must possess a strong passion for, understanding of, and commitment to OFN’s mission, vision, and values. In addition, be a fearless advocate, who is confident and resilient in OFN’s fight to drive capital into low-income communities.
• A collaborative team player who possesses the interpersonal skills to work across all levels of the organization both internally and externally, humility, and a willingness to learn in all areas of our work. Be a strong team contributor, effective and comfortable in leading as well as supporting roles within teams.
• Possess a leadership style that emphasizes the value of collaboration, communication, service, transparency, teamwork, and accountability.
• Be a smart, quick seeker of knowledge with the ability to think strategically, creatively, and tactically to analyze results and provide practical recommendations.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to quickly absorb technical information and then using it, create compelling content.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, written and verbal communication, and analytical skills.
• Digital literacy to manage office technology systems.
• Possess high initiative and self-starting capabilities with the ability to receive directional guidance to independently manage multiple tasks and prioritize work.
• Ability to interface with employees at all levels of the organization, both internally and externally as well as diverse constituents is required.
• Superior customer service and relationship building skills.
• Occasional travel required (5-10% of time).
• The job involves normal physical requirements for an office position.

How to Apply

To apply, submit cover letter and resume here

EEO Employer – Disability/Veteran/Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Supervisor: SVP, Strategic Communications

FLSA Status: Exempt