Communications Manager

Position: Communications Manager

Reports to: Communications and Brand Lead

Compensation: Competitive starting salary $97,500 - $124,900 commensurate with skills and experience, Full Pay Range: $97,500 - $152,200

• Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, and certifications in the pay equity assessment to determine equitable salary placement. Candidates should expect compensation offers within the starting compensation range. The full pay range is included to show the potential earnings for this position with sustained high performance.

Employment Classification: Full Time, Exempt

Anticipated Start Date: As soon as possible, position is open until filled.

Close Date: 9/14/2026

Office Location: Portland Metro Area, Oregon, USA

BACKGROUND

About Energy Trust of Oregon

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy development. We serve Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista, and SW Washington customers of NW Natural. Year over year Energy Trust is recognized as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon.

Our Vision

Clean, affordable energy for everyone.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We recognize the lack of diversity in our industry, and we actively seek to address it with our hiring and retention practices as well as our values. We believe every person and their lived experience is integral to building a vibrant culture and delivering effective services to all customers we serve. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and experience to apply.

Our Location

Energy Trust provides a range of work location options, including remote, hybrid and in-office work. This position will represent Energy Trust in public settings and potentially at community events. We are open to candidates who live throughout Oregon and Washington.

The Communications Manager would be expected to report to the office on a quarterly basis, at minimum.

What We're Looking For:

The Communications Manager is a key contributor to Energy Trust's efforts to produce and deliver high-quality communications that demonstrate accountability and transparency and that showcase our technical expertise and impact. This role is responsible for developing, managing, and delivering communications activities and products that enhance understanding of Energy Trust's purpose, programs and value among key stakeholders, public audiences, and staff. Stakeholder-facing communication represents most of the position's responsibilities. Marketing, public relations and social media are not within the scope of this role; those reside with the Brand Marketing Manager.

Based in the Communications and Customer Service (CCS) Group, the Communications Manager reports to the Communications and Brand Lead, and contributes to the success of the Government and Stakeholder Relations Team, CCS Director and Executive Director. In addition to managing a small team, this is a working manager role in which the individual serves as an individual contributor responsible for researching, writing, editing and project managing complex communications products.

The Communications Manager research, analyzes, and synthesizes complex technical, policy, regulatory, program and organizational information and translates it into clear and accurate communications for stakeholder audiences. The position is also responsible for managing and delivering reports to the State of Oregon; communications regarding strategic planning, multiyear planning, and budgeting processes; crisis communications and internal communications.

Success in this role requires strong critical thinking, sound judgment, political acumen, and the ability to quickly identify the most relevant information in situations involving ambiguity, competing priorities and evolving business needs. The successful candidate is intellectually curious, highly self-motivated and capable of learning unfamiliar subject matter quickly.

This role operates in a collaborative environment that relies heavily on cross-functional partnership, peer engagement, consensus building and iterative review and approval processes. The successful candidate is skilled at gathering input from peers, evaluating differing perspectives, and developing communications that reflect organizational priorities while moving projects forward.

This is a fast-paced communications role that requires the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, respond effectively to emerging and time-sensitive communications needs, and consistently deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines. The successful candidate is a skilled written and verbal communicator with exceptional attention to detail and demonstrated success communicating complex information to technical and stakeholder audiences.

What You'll Do:

Stakeholder Communications Leadership and Delivery (approximately 70% of responsibilities)

• Under direction of the Marketing and Communications Lead, manage stakeholder-facing communications and manage staff responsible for the development and delivery of communication products for regulators, utilities, community partners, policymakers, industry organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• As an individual contributor, develop, write, edit, and deliver high-quality stakeholder communications, including reports, presentations, strategic communications plans, briefing materials, key messages, talking points, speeches, public-facing materials, and executive communications.
• Independently research, analyze and synthesize complex technical, policy, regulatory and organizational information into clear and accurate communications tailored to stakeholder audiences.
• Build subject matter expertise across a broad range of energy-specific business, policy and program topics and rapidly translate new information into effective communications products with minimal direction.
• As assigned, provide strategic communications counsel to leaders, project teams and subject matter experts regarding stakeholder engagement, messaging, communications approaches, and risk mitigation.
• As assigned, develop and execute communications strategies and plans that support organizational priorities, stakeholder understanding, and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage a high volume of concurrent communications projects and requests, balancing competing priorities, shifting deadlines, and emerging organizational needs.
• Respond effectively to unplanned, time-sensitive and high-profile communications needs, exercising sound judgment and maintaining quality under pressure.
• Ensure stakeholder communications are accurate, clear, audience-appropriate and aligned with organizational objectives, policies, and messaging standards.
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with leaders, subject matter experts and cross-functional teams to gather information, clarify priorities, and deliver effective communications products.
• Identify communications risks, gaps and opportunities and proactively recommend solutions.
• Guide and review stakeholder communications produced by the communications team while ensuring consistency, quality, and strategic alignment.

Internal Communications (approximately 10% of responsibilities)

• Guide and manage the team in developing and delivering internal communications activities that help employees understand organizational purpose, programs, priorities, and value; communications activities include all staff meetings, a monthly internal newsletter, training and orientations, and email and Microsoft Teams communications.
• Advise Human Resources and organizational leaders to develop and deliver employee communications as needed to support staff awareness and engagement.

Team Management and Leadership (approximately 20% of responsibilities)

• Supervise, coach, and develop a team of communications specialists, providing clear direction, feedback, prioritization support, and professional development opportunities.
• Review and provide substantive editorial and strategic feedback on communications products produced by team members.
• Establish team priorities, allocate resources, and adjust workloads to ensure timely delivery of stakeholder communications and organizational priorities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, responsiveness, collaboration, and high performance while maintaining strong service to internal clients and external stakeholders.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position supervises a team of communications staff and manages professional services contracts.

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, political science, or related field.
• Master's degree in public policy, public administration or commensurate experience working in a policy environment or government relations role, desirable.
• Minimum seven years of experience as a communications project manager or manager, producing tailored communications and reports for staff, stakeholders, and consumers.
• Minimum of four years of communications experience specific to an energy policy setting with strong familiarity of energy efficiency and renewable energy program concepts strongly preferred.
• Specific experience in a government relations setting is preferred.
• At least two years of experience supervising staff and/or managing a team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong presentation skills, and sound judgment in determining relevance of information based on context.
• Experience producing communications and reports targeted at organizational stakeholders.
• Experience producing high-quality, accurate public communications, including speeches, presentations, reports, newsletters, case studies, and press releases.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn unfamiliar subject matter, evaluate information from multiple sources, and synthesize complex concepts into clear, accurate communications for stakeholder audiences.
• Demonstrated success working in highly collaborative environments that require relationship building, consensus development, peer and leadership engagement and multiple review and approval cycles.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Experience prioritizing and executing tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to write and edit copy, applying Energy Trust's organization style.
• Knowledge of AP style is preferred.
• Advanced user-level understanding of Microsoft Office suite, especially MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint. Experience using SharePoint preferred.
• Must be a proactive professional who has proven success in a fast-paced, highly demanding work environment, and who can be flexible and responsive to changing context and communication opportunities.
• Must be able to interact with a diverse workforce and be comfortable working in culturally diverse settings and groups.

The above information is designed to outline the major functions and position requirements of this job. It does not identify all tasks that may be expected, nor address the performance standards that must be maintained.

What You'll Get:

• Health/dental/vision insurance
• Employer sponsored and paid life/disability.
• 401(k) with a company contribution of 6% of your salary after 90 days of employment
• TriMet pass.
• Access to health and dependent FSA/HSA accounts
• Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick days
• Paid volunteer hours
• Employee assistance program
• Career advancement opportunities
• Great colleagues and culture
• Flexibility to work from home and/or an office space at the Portland, OR location.
• Work from home laptop provided.

Read more about our benefits here

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please submit your resume, a sample of your writing and a brief cover letter that shares your interest in this role. All applications must be submitted via Energy Trust's website www.energytrust.org/About/careers

All offers of employment are conditional pending the successful completion of a background check (which may include employment verification, education verification, criminal history, motor vehicle record) and reference checks.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that candidates from certain demographics are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification-for example, women and People of Color. At Energy Trust we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace-if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Energy Trust of Oregon is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, mental and physical disability, political affiliation, union membership, status as a parent, military or veteran status or other non-merit based factors. We will provide reasonable accommodation throughout the application, interview and employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation, contact us. Energy Trust of Oregon is an E-Verify employer. This policy is applicable to all phases of the employment relationship, including hiring, transfers, promotions, training, terminations, working conditions, compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Energy Trust is committed to pay equity. Energy Trust is committed to fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class (race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation) in the payment of wages or screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. We determine salary by completing a review of your application materials to evaluate your related education, experience and training.

www.energytrust.org