Director of Media Relations

Scope of Work: 

The Director of Media Relations advances CRES' strategic priorities, mission and vision by executing a comprehensive communications and media strategy and strengthening the organization’s media presence. This role ensures consistent and effective messaging to legislators, policymakers, the media and the public—reinforcing CRES' reputation as a leader in climate and clean energy advocacy. The Director also plays a pivotal role in crafting compelling content, monitoring the media landscape, refining messaging strategies and building key relationships with both media and government stakeholders. 

Reporting to the Vice President of Communications and collaborating closely with the Government Affairs, External Relations and Policy teams, the Director helps shape public discourse, engage diverse audiences and enhance CRES’ positioning. A primary responsibility of this role is to support CRES teammates participating in media interviews or public appearances. These preparation and facilitation duties include—but are not limited to—developing talking points, providing media training, coordinating interviews, staffing speaking engagements, identifying speaking opportunities and pitching CRES experts for strategic placements. 

The Director should demonstrate a strong desire to grow into a managerial role by fostering collaboration, supporting colleagues and contributing to the development of high-performing teams. 

Responsibilities: 

• Drafts a wide range of external communications materials including press releases, media advisories, talking points, op-eds and executive remarks, ensuring alignment with CRES’s messaging priorities. 
• Serves as the primary point of contact for media relations, cultivating and managing relationships with key reporters, editors and producers to secure earned media opportunities and enhance CRES’s public profile. 
• Prepares CRES staff and spokespeople for media engagements—including TV, radio, print and podcast appearances—by developing briefing materials and conducting prep sessions. 
• Monitors news coverage and social media to assess media sentiment, track relevant narratives and identify proactive and responsive opportunities to insert CRES messaging. 
• Manages media distribution lists and oversees the timely distribution of press materials, newsletters and other outbound communications to ensure message consistency and reach. 
• Leads the development and delivery of recurring communications products, such as the CRES newsletters, in coordination with internal staff and external consultants. 
• Builds and maintains relationships with Congressional communications staff and monitors public statements from lawmakers and relevant stakeholders to inform CRES communications efforts. 
• Leads CRES’ Capitol Hill Communicators Program, including coordination with affiliated caucuses and foundations such as the Conservative Climate Caucus and the Western Caucus Foundation. 
• Organizes and manages C6WC (Cool Conservative Communicators Collaborating on Climate Change with CRES) programming and events, ensuring alignment with CRES communications goals. 
• Assists with the development of broader communications strategies in support of legislative priorities, events and issue campaigns, in collaboration with the Vice President and Director of Communications. 
• Supports the creation of multimedia content and digital assets—including blogs, social media and videos—by working with internal team members and vendors to ensure brand consistency. 
• Assists with the drafting and editing of high-level organizational documents such as annual reports, polling decks, briefing memos and messaging frameworks as needed. 
• Supports the implementation of the communications workplan by contributing to goal tracking, reporting and performance measurement in coordination with the Vice President and Director of Communications. 
• Collaborates with the External Relations team to provide communications support for grant proposals, reporting and donor engagement. 
• Ensures adherence to CRES brand and style guidelines across all external-facing communications. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Personal and Professional Attributes: 

• Strengths: Demonstrates key strengths including Strategic Thinking, Futuristic Vision, Individualization, Achiever Mindset and Significance, which collectively enable visionary leadership, effective relationship-building and proactive communication strategies. 
• Demonstrates strategic thinking and leadership: Effectively leads communications efforts with a clear vision, guiding cross-departmental collaboration to achieve organizational goals. 
• Manages competing priorities: Excels at juggling multiple tasks, meeting tight deadlines and maintaining focus in a fast-paced environment. 
• Politically savvy: Possesses strong instincts and the ability to anticipate how others, including media and policymakers, will respond to CRES' communications and initiatives. 
• Exceptional writing and editing skills: Produces high-quality content quickly, with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to adapt messaging for diverse audiences. 
• Highly organized and detail-oriented: Demonstrates excellent organizational skills, ensuring seamless execution of communications strategies and materials. 
• Collaborative and team-focused: Works well across teams, driving consensus and supporting colleagues to maximize organizational impact. 
• Creative and adaptable problem-solver: Develops innovative solutions to enhance messaging and media engagement strategies. 
• Aspires to develop managerial skills: Demonstrates a strong desire to grow into a leadership role by fostering collaboration, guiding team efforts and mentoring colleagues to achieve high performance and shared success. 

Education, Experience, and Skills: 

Required: 

• 5+ years of experience in a similar role 
• Degree in political science, journalism, communications or relevant field of study 
• Outstanding writing and communication skills 
• Experience writing press releases and op-eds 
• Existing relationships with beltway reporters 
• Proven experience working with or within Republican or conservative political environments, demonstrating a strong ability to build relationships and effectively advance policy objectives   

Preferred: 

• Existing relationships with energy beat reporters 
• Knowledge of energy and/or environmental policy 
• Communications, marketing or journalism experience 
• Experience working in in federal or state government 
• Experience working at a not-for-profit or similar organization to CRES 
• Experience working cross-collaboratively with government affairs, external affairs and policy teams 
• Social media management 

Compensation and Competitive Benefits: 

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time, exempt position. CRES is committed to pay equity and transparency and offers a competitive compensation and benefits package: 

• Excellent health, vision, dental and prescription drug insurance 
• Paid short-and-long-term insurance 
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) 
• Retirement plan match 
• Transportation benefit 
• Cell phone reimbursement 

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: 

CRES is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CRES’ policy applies to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment and provides equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, national origin, disability or military status and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

How to Apply: 

Please include “Director of Media Relations” in your subject line and send your CV and cover letter to: humanresources@cresenergy.com 

About Our Organization: 

Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) is a non-profit organization founded in 2013 to engage Republican policymakers and the public about responsible, conservative solutions to address our nation’s energy, economic and environmental security while increasing America’s competitive edge. This work includes building out robust political and advocacy operations to support Republican clean energy champions in the U.S. House and Senate. In addition to working with Members of Congress and legislative staffs to discuss policy ideas, the CRES team members also collaborate with industry representatives and subject matter experts in their mission to bring Americans together to solve our most pressing issues. CRES policy goals include: 

• Reducing global emissions and growing the U.S. economy. 
• Enacting policy that builds off historically successful approaches to affordable clean energy. 
• Affordably reducing domestic emissions in a manner that can be leveraged globally. 

To further its mission, CRES established CRES Forum in 2017 to educate the public and influence the national conversation around clean energy solutions that are actionable, market-friendly and responsible. CRES Forum provides expert information to key decision makers, so they are empowered to act in addition to support annual forums and events, such as National Clean Energy Week, to demonstrate how clean energy policies strengthen the economy, enhance America’s vital national security interests and help to preserve our environment for future generations.