Upstream
Overview
POSITION: Director of Strategic Communications POSITION TYPE: Director level, reports to CEO LOCATION: Remote, must be located within the U.S. COMPENSATION: Remote position with a salary range of $90,000 - $110,000 depending on experience. Benefits include, but are not limited to: 403b plan with 5% employer match after 1 year of employment, flexible time off, plus 17 paid holidays, technology and co-working space stipend, health stipend, and supplemental insurance. UPSTREAM’S MISSION: We drive change toward a robust and enduring reuse economy. UPSTREAM’S VISION: We live in a regenerative world where the planet is treated as indisposable and communities thrive. Job Description The Director of Strategic Communications is a key leadership role at Upstream. This position requires a dynamic, strategic thinker with strong management skills, a deep desire to dive into the reuse movement, and the ability to drive and support transformational change through communication. The ideal candidate will be adaptable, innovative, and committed to Upstream\'s vision of a world where people and the planet are treated as indisposable, and communities thrive without waste. Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Execution
Create the narrative architecture & positioning for the reuse movement. Develop a meta-narrative to position reuse as the inevitable, superior solution to the status quo. Establish reuse as an economic and social movement, not just an environmental practice. Create messaging hierarchies that work across stakeholders (consumers, policymakers, investors, industry). Create and implement a comprehensive strategic communications plan. Build and lead a dynamic reuse newsroom with editorial guidelines, sourcing structures and amplification channels to drive daily, weekly and campaign storytelling. Secure and leverage ambassadors or influencers to amplify the movement. Partner with others across the ecosystem on communications to accelerate the shift to reuse. Work with the CEO to align the Communications department\'s goals with organizational goals. Revitalize Upstream\'s narrative, clarify the organization\'s role, and ensure consistent messaging. Serve as a strategic advisor to staff leadership on communication matters. As part of the Upstream Leadership Team, contribute to organizational decisions that support mission success.
Management of Upstream\'s Communications
Develop the Communications Work Plan and be responsible for its execution. Immediately assume management of the Communications team (including the Communications Manager and two contractors). Build and develop team capacity through strategic hiring, mentorship, and professional development. Develop a measurement framework to demonstrate and report on outcomes and impact; act on data accordingly. Create and execute a new web sitemap based on the new narrative architecture. Facilitate effective internal communication to keep team members informed and engaged.
Team Management and Development
Build team capacity and conduct hiring for the department. Manage Communications department staff, contractors, and interns with supervision, guidance, and mentorship. Foster a collaborative and innovative environment. Set clear performance goals and provide regular feedback. Manage the communications budget and resources efficiently. Mentor and develop communication capabilities across the organization.
Stakeholder Engagement
Develop and implement strategies for engaging with donors, partners, volunteers, and the public. Lead donor relations and storytelling to engage funders; strengthen mission communication, impact opportunities, and approach to fundraising. Build and manage essential external partnerships with the communications community, influencers, media, sector leaders, and others to strengthen knowledge, network, and influence. Identify and leverage industry trends and emerging channels and technologies. Organize and manage events, campaigns, and activities to promote the organization\'s mission. Support the CEO as spokesperson in media and public engagements.
Crisis Communication
Develop and implement crisis communication plans to manage risks. Lead all communication efforts during a crisis, ensuring timely and accurate information.
Qualifications and Core Competencies
Superior Leadership and Team Management Ability : Proven experience (5+ years) leading, motivating, and managing cross-functional teams. Ability to guide, mentor, build capacity, and provide real-time feedback. Proficiency in budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation. Expertise in public relations, journalism, and storytelling : Experience setting up editorial or newsroom teams, including editorial calendar design, contributor management, content governance, and media amplification. A love of people and relationship-building : Cultivating relationships with industry influencers and media contacts. Strong Strategic Planning and Execution Skills : Ability to develop and implement long-term communications strategies aligned with organizational goals. Experience leading brand or movement positioning : Creating toolkits and narrative training for internal and external stakeholders. Dynamism and strategic intelligence : Strong analytical skills to evaluate issues and develop data-driven solutions; translating information to decision-making. Negotiation and Conflict Resolution : Strong negotiation skills and conflict resolution. Adaptability to change : Highly adaptable and positive toward change. Proficiency in technology : Using team communications platforms and communications software. Desirable but not essential: Experience in B2B or policy communications Experience in the reuse movement and familiarity with trends, challenges, players, and adoption best practices. To Apply
The priority application deadline is September 25 at 5:00pm Eastern Time. The application will be open until the role is filled. Equal Employment Opportunity
Upstream is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based exclusively on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national, social, or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation and all other statuses as protected by laws and regulations of the United States and/or the state of Maine. This search is being led by NRG Consulting Group. Reach out to Jaclyn Jones at jaclyn@nrgconsultinggroup.org with questions.
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POSITION: Director of Strategic Communications POSITION TYPE: Director level, reports to CEO LOCATION: Remote, must be located within the U.S. COMPENSATION: Remote position with a salary range of $90,000 - $110,000 depending on experience. Benefits include, but are not limited to: 403b plan with 5% employer match after 1 year of employment, flexible time off, plus 17 paid holidays, technology and co-working space stipend, health stipend, and supplemental insurance. UPSTREAM’S MISSION: We drive change toward a robust and enduring reuse economy. UPSTREAM’S VISION: We live in a regenerative world where the planet is treated as indisposable and communities thrive. Job Description The Director of Strategic Communications is a key leadership role at Upstream. This position requires a dynamic, strategic thinker with strong management skills, a deep desire to dive into the reuse movement, and the ability to drive and support transformational change through communication. The ideal candidate will be adaptable, innovative, and committed to Upstream\'s vision of a world where people and the planet are treated as indisposable, and communities thrive without waste. Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Execution
Create the narrative architecture & positioning for the reuse movement. Develop a meta-narrative to position reuse as the inevitable, superior solution to the status quo. Establish reuse as an economic and social movement, not just an environmental practice. Create messaging hierarchies that work across stakeholders (consumers, policymakers, investors, industry). Create and implement a comprehensive strategic communications plan. Build and lead a dynamic reuse newsroom with editorial guidelines, sourcing structures and amplification channels to drive daily, weekly and campaign storytelling. Secure and leverage ambassadors or influencers to amplify the movement. Partner with others across the ecosystem on communications to accelerate the shift to reuse. Work with the CEO to align the Communications department\'s goals with organizational goals. Revitalize Upstream\'s narrative, clarify the organization\'s role, and ensure consistent messaging. Serve as a strategic advisor to staff leadership on communication matters. As part of the Upstream Leadership Team, contribute to organizational decisions that support mission success.
Management of Upstream\'s Communications
Develop the Communications Work Plan and be responsible for its execution. Immediately assume management of the Communications team (including the Communications Manager and two contractors). Build and develop team capacity through strategic hiring, mentorship, and professional development. Develop a measurement framework to demonstrate and report on outcomes and impact; act on data accordingly. Create and execute a new web sitemap based on the new narrative architecture. Facilitate effective internal communication to keep team members informed and engaged.
Team Management and Development
Build team capacity and conduct hiring for the department. Manage Communications department staff, contractors, and interns with supervision, guidance, and mentorship. Foster a collaborative and innovative environment. Set clear performance goals and provide regular feedback. Manage the communications budget and resources efficiently. Mentor and develop communication capabilities across the organization.
Stakeholder Engagement
Develop and implement strategies for engaging with donors, partners, volunteers, and the public. Lead donor relations and storytelling to engage funders; strengthen mission communication, impact opportunities, and approach to fundraising. Build and manage essential external partnerships with the communications community, influencers, media, sector leaders, and others to strengthen knowledge, network, and influence. Identify and leverage industry trends and emerging channels and technologies. Organize and manage events, campaigns, and activities to promote the organization\'s mission. Support the CEO as spokesperson in media and public engagements.
Crisis Communication
Develop and implement crisis communication plans to manage risks. Lead all communication efforts during a crisis, ensuring timely and accurate information.
Qualifications and Core Competencies
Superior Leadership and Team Management Ability : Proven experience (5+ years) leading, motivating, and managing cross-functional teams. Ability to guide, mentor, build capacity, and provide real-time feedback. Proficiency in budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation. Expertise in public relations, journalism, and storytelling : Experience setting up editorial or newsroom teams, including editorial calendar design, contributor management, content governance, and media amplification. A love of people and relationship-building : Cultivating relationships with industry influencers and media contacts. Strong Strategic Planning and Execution Skills : Ability to develop and implement long-term communications strategies aligned with organizational goals. Experience leading brand or movement positioning : Creating toolkits and narrative training for internal and external stakeholders. Dynamism and strategic intelligence : Strong analytical skills to evaluate issues and develop data-driven solutions; translating information to decision-making. Negotiation and Conflict Resolution : Strong negotiation skills and conflict resolution. Adaptability to change : Highly adaptable and positive toward change. Proficiency in technology : Using team communications platforms and communications software. Desirable but not essential: Experience in B2B or policy communications Experience in the reuse movement and familiarity with trends, challenges, players, and adoption best practices. To Apply
The priority application deadline is September 25 at 5:00pm Eastern Time. The application will be open until the role is filled. Equal Employment Opportunity
Upstream is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based exclusively on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national, social, or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation and all other statuses as protected by laws and regulations of the United States and/or the state of Maine. This search is being led by NRG Consulting Group. Reach out to Jaclyn Jones at jaclyn@nrgconsultinggroup.org with questions.
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