Vice President, Public Relations at American Clean Power Association (ACP)

Position Summary

American Clean Power (ACP) is seeking a strategic, mission-driven Vice President, Public Relations to lead the organization’s rapid response and media engagement strategy in support of policy, research, and advocacy priorities. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, this individual will serve as ACP’s lead spokesperson in high-stakes moments, direct proactive and reactive media strategies, and cultivate a coalition of media and influencer allies to defend and advance clean energy’s reputation. This role will deliver timely and credible communications that embody ACP’s values of accountability, trust, inclusion, and transparency 

The ideal candidate is an experienced communications leader who thrives in high-pressure environments, demonstrates impeccable judgment, and brings a deep understanding of today’s media and political landscape. This leader will build and operationalize a rapid response function, engage with top-tier media and influencers, and ensure ACP’s advocacy goals are effectively translated into compelling public narratives. 

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.  

Strategic Communications Leadership 

• Oversee all external communications related to policy, advocacy, and research initiatives across federal, state, and local levels. 

• Direct ACP’s external media positioning, ensuring strategies align with advocacy priorities and authentically demonstrate our values and competencies, embedding clarity, trust, and purpose into all public communications. 

• Serve as a senior counselor to organizational leadership on message development, risk management, and media strategy. 

Rapid Response Function 

• Build and operationalize a rapid response team responsible for 24/7 monitoring of media, digital platforms, and public narratives impacting clean energy. 

• Serve as ACP’s lead spokesperson during crises or high-stakes moments, ensuring swift, accurate, and strategic responses. 

• Drive real-time content, messaging, and communications products (e.g., statements, fact-checks, op-eds, social media responses). 

Coalition Building & Third-Party Engagement 

• Build and manage a national network of clean energy influencers, policy experts, academics, and allied organizations to amplify ACP’s message and defend against misinformation. 

• Provide these allies with real-time support, including talking points, media opportunities, and coordination strategies. 

Team Leadership 

• Build, hire, and manage a growing team of high-performing, mission-driven communications professionals. 

• Provide coaching, succession planning, and professional development aligned with ACP’s leadership expectations. 

• Foster a culture of agility, accountability, inclusion, and transparency in line with ACP’s values. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Work closely with policy, research, public affairs, digital, and membership teams to ensure message consistency and maximize impact. 

• Coordinate with legal and government affairs teams to ensure strategy alignment and compliance. 

• Ensure cross-functional efforts are grounded in ACP’s values of collaboration, integrity, and accountability. 

Budget & Stewardship 

• Oversee significant budget allocations for rapid response and media engagement efforts. Ensure responsible financial stewardship, vendor management, and measurable return on investment. 

Education, Experience & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, political science, or related field; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred. 

• 15+ years of progressive experience in media relations, strategic communications, rapid response, or public affairs, ideally in complex or high-stakes environments. 

• Proven experience designing and leading rapid response operations and/or political war rooms, with success managing crisis communications. 

• Demonstrated ability to oversee and steward multi-million-dollar budgets and vendor/consultant relationships, ensuring accountability and impact. 

• Strong record of cultivating and sustaining relationships with media, influencers, policymakers, and coalition partners; ability to serve as a trusted spokesperson and counselor in high-visibility forums. 

• Recognized subject matter expertise in media strategy and narrative defense, with the ability to anticipate threats and proactively shape public opinion. 

• Demonstrated strength in planning and strategy, including aligning media engagement with policy goals, anticipating risks, and seizing opportunities to advance ACP’s mission. 

• Proven leadership in building, coaching, and managing agile teams capable of thriving in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. 

• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to weigh multiple inputs, mitigate risks, and act decisively in sensitive or crisis situations. 

• Exceptional writing, messaging, and storytelling skills, with comfort engaging directly with press, policymakers, and external stakeholders. 

• Demonstrated commitment to ACP’s organizational values of excellence, integrity, collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and transparency. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel); experience with media monitoring, social listening, or CRM platforms a plus. 

• Willingness to travel occasionally and work non-traditional hours as part of rapid response responsibilities. 

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 $250,000 - $275,000. At ACP, compensation decisions consider skills, experience, training, education, and organizational needs. ACP offers comprehensive benefits including 401k, PTO, commuter benefits, wellness reimbursement, and professional development opportunities.