Communications Manager, Energy Access

Acumen is seeking a strategic Communications Manager with a minimum of 7 years of experience to shape the narrative and amplify the messaging for our high-impact Energy portfolio. We are looking for a strategic thinker with excellent communication skills and demonstrated experience to translate complex ideas into compelling narratives, brief leadership for key moments, collaborate across teams, and manage external vendors to deliver high-quality content from concept through execution. This role is located in NYC. We work in a hybrid model, 3 days in the office per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

About Acumen
Acumen is a global force of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators working together to build a world based on dignity. We were founded by Jacqueline Novogratz on the radical idea that business, when cultivated with moral imagination, can break the cycle of poverty. We invest in transformational companies, build sustainable markets, and prepare leaders with the tools they need to create a more just and inclusive future. Since 2001, we have scaled companies and shaped markets in some of the hardest-to-reach communities on the planet, impacting over half-a-billion lives. To learn more visit acumen.org.

About Communications and Marketing
The Marketing and Communications team are the guides and stewards of our brand voice. They shape how, when and where it comes to life. As strategists, writers, designers, data practitioners and makers, they seek effective and creative ways to inform, empower and meaningfully connect with our audiences globally. Through audience definition, campaign strategies, content, PR, events and partnerships they drive visibility and memorability of our thought leadership, insights and brand story. 

About the role
Working in our most successful impact sector, energy access, this role will lead the planning, coordination and writing of campaign initiatives and projects from inception to execution. You will be managing the process along the way while ensuring the work is of the highest standard. You will assist in sourcing, developing relationships and providing guidance for external vendors and freelancers. This role will report to and partner with the Brand Communications Manager while collaborating across the Communications Team and other internal stakeholders.

You are experienced in developing strategy, messaging, and execution across a full spectrum of communication channels and formats - including events. You are a creative and strategic thinker with persuasive communications skills.

Key Responsibilities 

• Manage all external communications Develop strategy and execute internal and external communications for Acumen’s Energy portfolio across various channels including, but not limited to digital, press, partners and events. 
• Brief and prepare leadership across the org with talking points on the off-grid and renewable energy sector for events, meetings, press opportunities and owned digital channels.  
• Work with the Energy team to identify communications opportunities, develop messaging strategies and identify the most powerful and compelling ideas to deliver against the goals of the Energy team.
• Work closely with the Communications Team, internal stakeholders, and other parts of Acumen to align the Energy Team’s communications campaigns, events, and content; fully integrate into Acumen’s communications calendar. 
• Work with the Office of the CEO to craft messaging across multiple channels, including events and social media.
• Anticipate bottlenecks, provide escalation management, make tradeoffs, and provide solutions while balancing needs of projects versus technical and budgetary constraints.
• Support proactive media engagement, including research, tracking, and pitching of Acumen’s energy stories and spokespeople in collaboration with PR consultant(s).
• Manage relationships with freelancers, consultants, and vendors, such as writers, videographers, and designers, to produce and refine content highlighting Acumen’s energy portfolio and community.
• Track and ensure the development of project-based documentation such as contracts, Scopes of Work, NDAs, cost estimates, and timeline planning.

Skills and Qualifications