Role Details
Department: Marketing and Communications
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Remote within U.S.
Employment Type: Regular, salaried, full-tim
Background
The Organization
Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit that started more than 15 years ago with a simple question: "Mom, can we go solar?" Since then, we've helped tens of thousands of people benefit from solar energy. We are dedicated to creating a clean, equitable, resilient energy system that benefits everyone. We help communities figure out the local barriers to solar. Then we support them to put plans into action and overcome those barriers.
Our approach is simple and pragmatic:
1. Help a local partner develop a solar pilot project.
2. Together, learn from the pilot project to identify the specific local barriers to scaling.
3. Work with local partners to address local barriers.
4. Expand the number of projects and beneficiaries with another project cycle.
5. Refine and expand solutions, such as financing, policy framework, education.
We call this our theory of change. We help people go solar, join together, and fight for our energy rights. And then we repeat the process again and again until we’ve transformed our energy system.
Currently, SUN is in a period of major growth and transformation. We’ve gone from 45 employees at the start of 2022 to 105 employees. Our budget has increased from $6 million to $16 million over the same period. We run on the ground programming in 12 states plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, and we have grown a full national program of technical assistance, community building, education, and advocacy. At the start of 2022, our mailing list was roughly 30,000 people. Our list now includes over 950,000 solar owners fighting for a more equitable and democratic energy system. We expect to keep growing rapidly for the next several years.
The Position
The VP of Communications and Marketing will be an entrepreneurial, results-driven, and experienced leader who will drive the next chapter of SUN’s marketing and communications strategies. And, with a digital list of over 1,200,000 individuals (and growing!), digital strategy and implementation is a core part of the work. The VP will lead, coach, and cultivate a team of twelve marketing, communications, editorial, and digital staff. The VP will ensure support to all of SUN’s programs while driving major strategic initiatives. The VP will report to the Executive Director.
Role Overview
Organizational Leadership Responsibilities
- Serve as a member of SUN’s Executive Team. This role involves:
- Serving as a role model and leader within the organization.
- Being a champion for SUN’s culture and values – inside and outside the organization.
- Proactively working to assess and improve employee morale.
- Proactively working to assess and improve relationships and working efficiency across departments.
Leadership & Strategic Oversight (90%):
- Manage the Marketing, Communications, Editorial, and Digital teams (currently 12), and any vendors related to these functions.
- In close consultation with the Executive Director and/or Deputy Executive Director, develop and drive the core marketing, communications, and digital strategies.
- Drive a national narrative shift about clean energy - especially solar - to highlight its local benefits and popularity.
- Uplift SUN’s profile through brand recognition, thought leadership, and impact-driven storytelling to position SUN as THE go-to NGO nationally for solar owners.
- Cultivate relationships with institutional communications funders through meetings, event gatherings, and monthly Funder Updates.
- In deep partnership with program areas, develop and implement marketing, communications, editorial, and digital initiatives and campaigns to help the program areas best achieve their goals.
- Standardize communications, decision-making authority, and process while ensuring accountability for staff.
- Develop a culture of data-driven decision-making and create space for innovation and longterm thinking.
- Develop narrative strategies for communicating complex energy issues to build a movement of solar supporters.
- Guide a proactive earned media approach that keeps SUN in the news locally and nationally.
- In close collaboration with SUN’s state teams, ensure the regional communications work runs responsively and efficiently.
- Collaborate with Development team to ensure individual fundraising tactics with Development team to ensure messaging consistently meets audiences where they are.
- Oversee service support workflows from other departments that provide both standardization and customization.
- Ensure SUN continues to grow and deepen engagement with its significant (1,200,000+) digital list, and mobilize this list effectively (e.g. for advocacy work and fundraising) in partnership with the other relevant SUN team members.
- Manage operating and personnel budget for the department.
- Ensure organizational marketing and communications alignment throughout crossfunctional initiatives.
- Provide marketing and communications training and support to staff, as needed.
Organization-wide Administration (10%):
- Actively contribute to a workplaceculture aligned with SUN’s values of equity, inclusion, continuous learning, action-oriented, and people-centered.
- Show up fully for learning and planning and activities, including all-staff meetings, retreats, and strategy sessions.
- Coordinate and work with externalconsultants as needed.
- Facilitate meetings, prepareagendas, and take notes.
- As a key member of the team, contribute to brainstorming, developing, and executing new ideas.
- Manage your own regular administration, including timely submission of timesheets, receipts, reimbursements, scheduling, traveling planning, and HR paperwork.
- Other projects or tasks as assigned.
Work Environment
This position requires the ability to:
- Occasionally lift and move equipment or packages up to 50 pounds.
- Remain in a stationary position and work at a computer for extended periods.
- Travel occasionally by car and airplane to attend or support events, workshops and staff retreats.
- Stand for extended periods while supporting events and/or community outreach activities.
The Ideal Candidate
At SUN, thriving means more than great work, it is about how we show up for one another, embrace challenges, and live our shared values.
These Core Competencies guide our success together:
Proactive and Accountable
Takes initiative, follows through on commitments, and owns outcomes.
People-Centered Communicator
Communicates clearly and respectfully in both written and verbal forms. Seeks understanding through questions, engages in open dialogue, and is receptive to giving and receiving constructive feedback.
Adaptable and Growth-Minded
Embraces learning with curiosity and approaches change with flexibility. Comfortable navigating new tools, systems, and evolving ways of working.
Collaborative and Inclusive
Builds strong relationships across teams, values diverse perspectives, and creates space for all voices to contribute.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in marketing OR communications, with meaningful experience or knowledge of marketing, communications, and digital platforms.
- At least 5 years of experience in a senior leadership role.
- Experience leading issue-based marketing, communications, or digital initiatives with a demonstrated track record of significant campaign successes.
- Strong people management skills and a genuine passion for leading a team. Able to help the team set goals, define roles, and prioritize growth and development.
- Track record of data-driven decision making.
- Demonstrated experience managing and tracking large operating budgets.
- High emotional intelligence and strong collaborative spirit.
- Ability to manage a remote team and work effectively across departments.
- Experience hiring and managing external firms to provide additional capacity and/or expertise when needed.
- Ability to learn and communicate about complex and technical topics.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary
The salary range is $150K-$200K depending on experience.
Benefits
- Health insurance 401(k) retirement plan with match after 1 year
- Professional development
- Generous holiday leave
- Generous wellness and family leave
- Flexible work hours
- Remote options
Timeline and Next Steps
If you are interested in this position, please click here. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application.
We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply even if you do not meet all of the qualifications outlined above. If you are selected to move forward for an initial screening call, we expect you to hear from us by July.
