Director, Public Relations & Media Strategy

Position Summary

The Director, Public Relations & Media Strategy leads the American Clean Power Association’s media relations and serves as the organization’s primary day-to-day press-facing representative. Reporting to the Vice President, Public Relations, this role functions as ACP’s press secretary by managing daily media engagement, shaping press strategy, and ensuring the association’s voice is clear, credible, and responsive across national, regional, and trade media. 

This role owns the execution of proactive and reactive media strategies, manages inbound press inquiries, and coordinates rapid-response communications in close partnership with the Vice President, Public Relations, executive leadership, and Policy and Advocacy teams. The Director applies strong judgment in high-pressure environments, balances speed with accuracy, and translates complex policy and industry developments into clear, compelling media coverage. 

Success in this role requires strong media instincts, excellent writing and verbal communication skills, and the ability to operate confidently with senior leaders, reporters, and subject matter experts alike. The Director balances strategic planning with hands-on execution and plays a critical role in advancing ACP’s mission, credibility, and reputation through effective media engagement.

 

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

• Lead ACP’s day-to-day media relations, serving as the primary point of contact for press inquiries and proactive outreach across national, regional, and trade outlets. 
• Act as ACP’s press secretary, managing daily media engagement while coordinating closely with the Vice President, Public Relations and senior executives on higher-profile, sensitive, or strategic press matters. 
• Develop and execute proactive media strategies that elevate ACP’s visibility, credibility, and thought leadership in alignment with organizational priorities. 
• Collaborate with the Vice President, Corporate Communications and senior executives on thought leadership opportunities to elevate ACP in the media and among key audiences. 
• Manage rapid-response and rapid offense communications related to breaking news, policy developments, or reputational issues, applying sound judgment under tight deadlines and evolving circumstances. 
• Draft, edit, and oversee press materials including press releases, statements, media advisories, talking points, op-eds, and background briefing documents. 
• Partner closely with Policy and Advocacy teams to translate complex policy positions, regulatory developments, and industry trends into accurate, accessible media messaging. 
• Provide media counsel and preparation to senior leaders and subject matter experts, including interview preparation, message framing, briefing materials, and real-time guidance as needed. 
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key reporters, editors, and producers covering clean energy, climate, business, and public policy. 
• Monitor media coverage, news cycles, and emerging narratives affecting the clean energy sector; proactively identify risks, opportunities, and recommended engagement strategies. 
• Coordinate and manage relationships with external public relations agencies or consultants, ensuring alignment with ACP’s messaging, priorities, and standards. 
• Collaborate closely with internal communications, marketing, and digital teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment across channels and audiences. 
• Provide regular media reporting and analysis to internal stakeholders, including leadership updates, coverage summaries, and post-engagement insights. 
• Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness outside of standard business hours, as needed, to support breaking news, media inquiries, or time-sensitive communications. 

 

Education, Experience, Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, or a related field required. 
• 8+ years of progressive experience in media relations, public affairs, journalism, or communications, ideally within a policy-adjacent, advocacy, or mission-driven organization. 
• Demonstrated experience serving as a press-facing spokesperson or lead media contact for an organization, issue area, or public figure. 
• Strong understanding of the media landscape, including national, trade, and regional outlets relevant to energy, policy, and business. 
• Proven ability to translate complex, technical, or policy-driven issues into clear, accurate messaging for broad audiences. 
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with experience producing press materials under tight deadlines. 
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills, particularly in high-pressure or rapidly evolving situations. 
• Experience advising and preparing senior leaders for media engagement, including interviews and public statements. 
• Ability to manage external vendors or agencies and collaborate effectively across internal teams. 
• Comfort operating independently while coordinating closely with senior leadership. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools; familiarity with media monitoring or PR platforms a plus. 
• Demonstrated commitment to ACP’s organizational values of excellence, integrity, collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and transparency. 

 

Job Conditions

We are a fast-paced, high-energy organization with a very ambitious agenda and a staff that is highly motivated. This position may experience high-level work demands and independent decision-making under tight timelines. Regular travel across the country for meetings or events may be required. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. ACP will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

We reasonably believe that the base salary range for this position is $130,000 – 155,000 annually. At ACP, a wide range of factors are considered when making compensation decisions including and not limited to skill set, experience, training, education, knowledge, and other business and organizational needs. ACP offers a 401k, PTO and sick leave, commuter benefits, wellness reimbursement, and professional development/tuition reimbursements for eligible employees.