Program Associate, Strategic Communications

Summary

Join U.S. Energy Foundation (EF) as a Program Associate (PA) on the Strategic Communications team. The PA will support a national team in project and budget management, grant administration, and collaboration with advocates and partners. Key responsibilities include grant and contract administration, project management, administrative support, systems development, budget management, and event planning. The PA will work with cross-programmatic and cross-functional teams at EF, as well as grantees, funders, and external partners. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and possesses excellent communication skills. EF is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds.

Requirements

• Highly organized, with keen attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and digital communications skills
• Proficient at handling multiple demands and confident working across a complex distributed team and other teams; experience supporting multiple priorities and juggling a variety of tasks for one or more individuals in a team environment
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working in customer service, thriving in a fast-paced work environment, and prioritizing competing obligations
• Interest in one or more of the following areas: the philanthropic sector, nonprofit sector, issue campaigns, public policy, or strategic communications
• Pre-existing knowledge or interest in clean energy or climate is not required

Responsibilities

• Track and execute all steps in the grantmaking process, including: serving as a primary contact for grantees and consultants
• Gathering feedback and working with all parties to craft and finalize proposals and scopes of work
• Reviewing financials and conducting initial due diligence, and
• Keeping the Strategic Communications team informed of progress and flagging questions that arise in a timely fashion
• Process grants/contracts through EF’s internal systems in a timely and responsive manner
• Prepare agendas, schedule meetings, and conduct relevant research to ensure effective conversations
• Prepare the team and grantees/consultants ahead of meetings to help deliver effective conversations, including circulating materials, flagging relevant questions, coordinating on meeting agendas, and setting clear expectations for meeting outcomes
• Assist in conducting research and performing due diligence on proposals or prospective grantees
• Directly engage with grantees and consultants to seek additional information as needed
• Work collaboratively to manage program budgets and reconcile budgets to actuals for cross-programmatic grants
• Foster effective coordination and integration within the Strategic Communications team, including using tools and systems to support collaboration and information-sharing, supporting regular team check-ins, etc
• Schedule calls and meetings as needed and handle meeting logistics (arrange locations, prepare the technology interface, ensure agendas are circulated in advance, support meeting follow-up, etc.)
• Manage IT, administrative matters, and other general office needs
• Prepare initial drafts of documents and presentations for internal and external audiences, such as board dockets, funder reports, proposals, and presentations
• Serve as a liaison to other EF teams to ensure the Strategic Communications team is fully integrated with regional and national policy programs
• Support the Strategic Communications team on campaigns and communications projects as availability permits
• Facilitate networking and information-sharing between a culturally diverse set of grantees/consultants and build connections with potential partners, as appropriate
• Organize and/or support team meetings and convenings, including assisting with developing presentations and agendas
• Represent EF and the Strategic Communications team at meetings, conferences, and other events, as agreed upon with your supervisor
• Generate and implement ideas for systems, programs, and operational improvement
• Embody EF’s values of collaboration, service, learning, and responsibility
• Recognize that we are stronger when we are diverse and inclusive and embody these values in your internal and external EF work
• Maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues
• Contribute to a positive working environment
• With assistance from supervisor and others, formulate own learning and development plan
• Identify and seek out professional development opportunities, including networking, informational interviews, training, projects, etc
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on DEI
• Project management experience
• Grants management experience
• Internet savvy, including digital and social media, online survey tools, etc
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for improving Americans’ lives and the outlook for future generations
• Intermediate or advanced skills using Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, preferably in a Mac environment; familiarity with Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and the Box platform
• Experience using cloud-based relational database systems, such as Salesforce, is also a plus

Benefits

Competitive salary, medical, dental, vision, disability, and retirement benefits and paid time off