Director of Communications and Systems

Job description

Job Summary The Director of Communications and Systems is a senior leadership role responsible for building and maintaining MHET's brand, communications infrastructure, digital systems, and organizational operations. This role drives how MHET tells its story – to funders, community members, partners, and the public – while also ensuring the internal systems that power the organization run smoothly and effectively. The Director oversees communications strategy, content creation, graphic design, social media, PR, the website, email marketing, HubSpot, and Asana, and manages the Operations & HR Manager and two part-time staff. This is a high-output, high-ownership role for someone who is equally comfortable building a workflow, writing a press release, designing a flyer, and managing a team. Reports To Executive Director Direct Reports Manager, Operations & HR Associate, Data Management (Part-Time) Associate, Communications Associate (Part-Time) Our Programs Outreach & Education (O&E): Outreach is the cornerstone of all that we do. At its core, MHET is a community-based organization, formed in service to the Kingston community and the marginalized people who have been overburdened by environmental hazards here. Through our O&E program, we listen to the community’s needs, connect people to our programs, revise or co-create new programs in partnership with our Community Council, and create inclusive and accessible ways to educate our community on energy systems, solutions, and justice. The HELP Fund: The HELP Fund is the Hudson Valley’s first green community investment fund. It mobilizes local capital to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels while expanding access to safe, affordable, and energy-efficient housing for low- and moderate-income households. By offering a range of investment opportunities to both accredited and non-accredited investors, the Fund enables community members to invest directly in solutions that strengthen local resilience, reduce energy burden, and build long-term community wealth. The Home Energy Loan Program (HELP): HELP provides 2% interest loans that help residents finance home energy upgrades that boost safety, health, energy efficiency, and climate resilience. Beyond financing, HELP offers wraparound project management support and includes incentives designed to empower borrowers, build wealth, enhance financial literacy, and support recovery from financial setbacks. This program is here to make energy improvements more accessible, impactful, and supportive of long-term financial wellbeing. Home Upgrade Grants (HUG): HUG provides holistic project management to low-income homeowners for home improvements related to health, safety, energy efficiency and electrification. Through wrap-around technical and financing support – including grantmaking – and in collaboration with contractors and government agencies, HUG empowers residents to live in safe, healthy, efficient, and affordable homes, ready for electrification and resilient to climate emergencies. Energy Innovation (EI): Energy Innovation encompasses a portfolio of projects with the central goal of empowering marginalized communities to own and share renewable energy; as such, it includes community solar (discounts on electricity bills through shared solar projects), renewable energy project development, and community energy planning. Currently, the EI team has been exploring a municipal thermal energy network, community-owned solar project, and an agrivoltaics pilot (agricultural farms paired with solar generation). Community ownership models, income generation for frontline communities, and local grid resilience are core considerations. Responsibilities Communications Strategy & Content (35%) Develop and execute MHET's overall communications strategy across all channels and audiences – community members, funders, partners, media, and the public. Write and edit a wide range of content including newsletters, blog posts, press releases, grant narratives, impact reports, talking points, and program materials; ensure all communications are clear, compelling, and aligned with MHET's voice and values. Manage MHET's monthly newsletter, including list management, segmentation, content curation, design, and performance analysis. Support the publication of MHET’s donor, board, and HELP Fund Investor newsletters in collaboration with program leads. Lead media and public relations efforts, including building relationships with journalists and media outlets, drafting press releases, pitching stories, and positioning MHET as a recognized voice in the energy justice space. Develop, edit, or outsource thought leadership content – including blogs, panels, reports, and media appearances – in collaboration with program and leadership staff to amplify MHET's model and expertise regionally and nationally. Develop and maintain internal communications tools for staff, including program-specific talking points, scripts, and FAQs, so that all team members can represent MHET's work clearly and consistently in the field. Ensure compliance with HELP and HELP Fund marketing and advertising guidelines across all program-related materials. Own and maintain MHET's crisis communications plan; lead scenario planning and staff training to ensure organizational preparedness. Ensure all communications materials are culturally responsive, accessible, and reflective of the communities MHET serves. Digital Presence & Design (25%) Manage and maintain MHET's website, keeping content current, accurate, and strategically organized; update the impact page and program pages on a regular cadence. Lead MHET's social media presence across platforms – developing content calendars, creating and scheduling posts, monitoring engagement, and growing audience. Design graphics, flyers, event pages, program materials, presentations, and other visual assets using tools such as Canva; maintain brand consistency across all materials. Create and manage event pages, online forms, and digital campaigns to support program recruitment, fundraising, and community engagement using tools such as Google Ads, Givebutter, Rippling, and use data to improve strategy over time with tools such as Google Analytics. Track and report on digital performance metrics – including social media KPIs, website traffic, email open and click rates, and form submissions – and use data to improve strategy over time. Systems & Operations (30%) Own and continuously improve MHET's HubSpot CRM – building and maintaining pipelines, workflows, automations, forms, and reporting dashboards for communication efforts, programs, development, and outreach. Oversee MHET's Asana infrastructure, ensuring project boards, templates, and team workflows are organized, up to date, and used consistently across the organization. Serve as the connective tissue across programs – ensuring HUG, HELP, EI, and Outreach are operating from shared systems, consistent data, and aligned communications infrastructure. Supervise the Operations & HR Manager, serving as their primary point of contact and accountability for day-to-day administrative functions including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, vendor management, record retention, and compliance documentation. Oversee IT infrastructure and technology needs in coordination with the Operations & HR Manager, ensuring staff have the tools and access they need; manage vendor relationships for software, hardware, and tech services. Support the Operations & HR Manager in executing HR processes including onboarding, offboarding, benefits administration, and employee record-keeping; escalate sensitive HR matters to the Executive Director. Ensure financial and administrative processes are well-documented and consistently followed; flag issues or exceptions to the Executive Director as appropriate. Identify and implement tools, process improvements, and integrations that increase organizational efficiency and effectiveness across all departments. Impact Reporting & Funder Communications (10%) Lead the development and publication of MHET's annual impact report and program-specific impact materials, synthesizing data from across programs into compelling, accessible narratives for funders, partners, and the public. Build and maintain reporting systems and templates that enable program staff to consistently capture outcomes, participant stories, and key metrics throughout the year. Support grant reporting in collaboration with the Executive Director and program staff, ensuring deliverables are accurate, on time, and tell a strong story. Collaborate with program directors to collect and elevate participant testimonials, case studies, and qualitative impact data that center lived experience in all reporting. Support the Executive Director and Managing Director on funder communications, sponsorship stewardship, and donor-facing materials. Plan and execute fundraising and community events, managing logistics, marketing, sponsorship fulfillment, volunteer coordination, and follow-up. Qualifications Studies have shown that women and people of color may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply for this position even if you don’t meet every one of our qualifications listed. Required: 5+ years of experience in communications, marketing, or a related field, preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization. Demonstrated ability to create high-quality written content across a range of formats and audiences – from community-facing program materials to funder-facing grant narratives. Experience managing social media accounts and digital marketing campaigns, with a track record of growing engagement and reach. Proficiency in graphic design tools (e.g., Canva) and ability to produce polished, on-brand visual materials independently. Experience building or managing CRM systems, preferably HubSpot, including workflow automation, pipeline management, and reporting. Strong project management skills, including experience with tools such as Asana and the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously. Experience planning and executing events, including logistics, marketing, and stakeholder coordination. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage a high volume of work without sacrificing quality. Deep commitment to environmental justice, equity, and community-centered work. Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; able to work across teams and support staff communications needs. Desirable: Experience with website management and content updates (WordPress or similar). Experience with fundraising, development, or grant writing in a nonprofit context. Knowledge of New York State energy policy, clean energy programs, or environmental justice landscape. Bilingual English/Spanish. Familiarity with the Hudson Valley region and its communities. LEED, ESG, or sustainability-related credentials. Equal Opportunity Notice MHET is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We value the unique perspectives and contributions that a diverse workforce brings to our organization. MHET encourages individuals from underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals, to apply for this position. We are dedicated to creating a workplace that respects and values differences, and we aim to foster an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please inform us, and we will make every effort to meet your needs. Location, Schedule and Availability Mid-Hudson Energy Transition is located in Kingston, NY. The daily work schedule is Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. This is a hybrid position, with a strong preference for candidates who are able to work on-site several days per week and flexibility to work remotely the remainder of the time. This role carries leadership responsibility and requires the flexibility that comes with it, including occasional evenings, weekends, and travel for community events, board meetings, conferences, and partnership work. We are committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable work life alongside those expectations. Compensation and Benefits The salary for this position is $90,000 and generous benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plans with a 4% employer match; professional development opportunities; and unlimited paid time off. To Apply Please submit your resume and references to our Careers Page . We will review applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. We appreciate all applications, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. About Mid Hudson Energy Transition Mid-Hudson Energy Transition, Inc. (MHET) is a not-for-profit community-based organization that empowers municipalities, their residents, and businesses to own and share renewable energy, create healthier buildings, and join in community wealth-building to strengthen the resilience of the Hudson Valley in the face of climate change. We engage and build on the active involvement of communities, with particular emphasis on low-income and communities of color that are being harmed first and worst by climate change.