Solar Citizens is seeking applications for a full-time ongoing Media and Communications Manager based in Sydney, Australia.

Solar Citizens is working to democratise our energy system, by giving cheap clean renewable power to the people. Our campaigns for energy equity and household storage solutions build on the shoulders of individual Australians who have already invested twenty-five billion dollars of their own money into rooftop solar.

Working closely with our campaign team, your role as the Media and Communications Manager is to harness case studies from our supporters, as well as those who want to join the energy “prosumer” revolution, and amplify their voices through media and social media. You’ll help create a fairer Australia by removing barriers to cheap clean renewable energy for those who need it most.

You’ll help us combat the threats to renewable energy and help build the social license for renewables by cutting through misinformation, including countering the biggest threat to rooftop solar investment - nuclear. Solar Citizens has a unique role in reminding all parties to support budget-conscious Australians who want a fair go in the energy system.

The Media and Communications Manager input into our new 3-year strategic plan including working towards announceables at COP31, as we aim to secure the government’s commitment to at least 82% renewable energy by 2030, drive this ambition and create the technical pathways to enable 100% renewable energy by 2030.

The Media and Communications Manager will be line-managed by the National Campaigns Director. We offer a hybrid work environment in Sydney.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Traditional media:

• Identify and deliver reactive and proactive media opportunities, and provide high-level media advice to the National Campaign Director and CEO
• Develop relationships with key journalists to pitch tailored stories
• Work with campaigners on the drafting of media releases and background briefs
• Prepare briefings for the CEO for media spokesperson opportunities and other external communications
• Be the point of contact for media inquiries
• Media tracking and reporting

Social media:

• Write, design, and post on social media, primarily Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin
• Creating and supervising the creation of bespoke social media content using Canva
• Have or be prepared to upskill in scripting, shooting, editing, and posting videos
• Support campaigners in their social media awareness and work with them to develop campaign-specific content
• Social media tracking and reporting

Direct supporter communications

• Help us grow our supporter base of over 200,000 Australians through acquisition campaigns
• Work with campaigners to mobilise this base to sign petitions, send letters to Members of Parliament, make submissions to formal consultation processes, and through grassroots community organising

Communications strategy

• In collaboration with the National Campaigns Director and CEO, assist with the development of communications strategies for our various national and state campaigns
• Work with campaigners in the development of messaging guides and other campaign communications resources

Online:

• Website management, including ensuring the website is kept up to date through Nationbuilder
• Manage Solar Citizens webinar production, with input from campaigners

DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Experience or demonstrated competency across the following fields:

• Media relations, public relations, or journalism
• Politics, including political communications, policy, or otherwise
• Social media, including the creation of vertical video content

Skills:

• An understanding of the traditional media landscape, including the key journalists and publications in the environment, energy, and political media
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to make complex issues simple
• Ability to articulate the big picture story and develop framing strategy for different segments
• An understanding of social media and an ability to produce highly engaging content across major platforms
• Video and image editing skills
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• Experience with NationBuilder, Canva, Trello, Streem, and Dogooder, or the demonstrated ability to quickly gain mastery of new platforms
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and an ability to work well in small teams in a fast-paced environment with multiple stakeholders
• Experience in a political or campaigning environment

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Demonstrates high ethical standards and integrity
• Creative and innovative thinker
• An ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence, cultural competence, problem-solving skills, and resilience
• Ability to work and prioritise competing tasks independently

SALARY AND CONDITIONS:

This is for a senior role with a remuneration of between $85,000 - $100,000 plus super, depending on experience, and offers outside of this range will be considered for the right candidate, commensurate with experience.

Solar Citizens is an equal-opportunity, family-friendly employer and we encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Solar Citizens is a flexible workplace with four weeks of leave plus one week of end-of-year closure. An initial probationary period of three months will apply and may be subject to extension.

To further discuss the role, contact: Joel Pringle [email protected] using the subject line: Media and Communications Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs 0406 435 290.

NOTE: Solar Citizens is an initiative of the 100% Renewable Community Campaign, trading as Solar Citizens Australia. 100% Renewable is the formal employer of the Communications Director.

100% Renewable acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and that sovereignty was never ceded.