Vice President, Climate, Clean Energy & Conservation
Location: Washington, DC
Salary: $150,000+ base salary plus performance bonuses, competitive benefits package including health insurance and 401k matching
About Focal Point Strategy Group
Focal Point Strategy Group is a dynamic strategic communications firm operating at the intersection of strategy, communication, and impact. Our mission is to empower causes, companies, and leaders to navigate complex landscapes with agility and confidence. Whether managing rapid-response “war rooms,” crafting compelling narratives, or elevating campaigns through strategic media engagement, our work is fast-paced, innovative, and purpose-driven.
We are committed to embracing new technology to enhance our work product and deliver cutting-edge solutions for our clients, particularly in the rapidly evolving climate and clean energy sectors.
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced senior communications leader with deep expertise in climate, clean energy, and conservation to join our expanding firm as Vice President, Climate, Clean Energy & Conservation. In this role, you will have the autonomy to build and lead your own high-performing team, establish and grow a dedicated client portfolio focused on environmental and energy issues, and create the operational structure to support sustained growth.
This entrepreneurial leadership position requires 12+ years of senior-level communications or client facing experience in climate, energy, or environmental sectors, with a proven ability to build and manage teams while developing client relationships from the ground up.
You’ll be expected to work with our existing clients in the climate and clean energy space while building out a broader dedicated practice in this sector, recruiting and leading a team that can deliver exceptional results for your portfolio. This role demands someone with progressive values, deep familiarity with American climate policy and energy markets, and the ability to grow team capacity while maintaining the high standards that define our work.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Client Leadership and Account Management:
Be the main strategic advisor for climate, clean energy, and conservation clients, helping them solve complex communications challenges around policy advocacy, regulatory issues, and public engagement. Lead important projects that need senior oversight, creating strategies that work across media, digital, crisis response, and reputation management in the environmental sector.
Team Building and Leadership Development:
Recruit, build, and structure your own high-performing team to support your climate and clean energy client portfolio. Design talent acquisition strategies to attract top-tier communications professionals with environmental expertise, establish team workflows and processes, provide mentorship opportunities, and create performance frameworks that encourage innovation and creative problem-solving in climate communications.
Strategic Planning and Organizational Growth:
Lead strategic planning for your climate and clean energy division by identifying market opportunities and competitive advantages in the environmental sector. Analyze industry trends in climate policy, clean energy markets, and conservation initiatives to inform your service offerings and positioning strategies, while collaborating with senior leadership on growth strategies that align with the firm’s mission and values.
Business Development and Client Growth:
Support new client acquisition efforts across clean energy companies, environmental organizations, climate-focused foundations, and sustainability-minded corporations. Build relationships with decision-makers in the climate and energy sectors and contribute to strategies that grow the firm’s client base in environmental and energy communities. Attend industry events and networking opportunities to represent the firm and connect with potential clients in the environmental space.
Thought Leadership and Industry Engagement:
Represent Focal Point as a thought leader in climate and clean energy communications through speaking engagements, panel discussions, and industry publications. Build the firm’s reputation by participating in relevant environmental conferences and maintaining relationships with industry influencers, journalists, and communications professionals in the climate and energy sectors.
Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in strategic communications with demonstrated success in senior leadership roles, preferably in climate, clean energy, environmental, or sustainability sectors
- Proven track record of building teams and managing complex client relationships independently in environmental or energy contexts
- Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to cultivate trust with senior executives across clean energy companies, environmental organizations, and climate-focused entities
- Deep understanding of climate policy, clean energy markets, and environmental regulations, as well as strategic communications disciplines including media relations, crisis communications, digital strategy, and reputation management
- Strong leadership experience in recruiting, building, and developing high-performing communications teams from the ground up
- Experience serving as a trusted strategic advisor to senior stakeholders in environmental or energy sectors
- Familiarity with American climate policy, energy markets, and progressive environmental values
- Outstanding strategic thinking, analytical, and communication skills with specific expertise in climate and energy issues
- Experience with budget management, resource allocation, and financial planning
- Strong existing network of professional relationships in climate, clean energy, and conservation sectors that can support business development efforts
How to Apply
Focal Point Strategy Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities and from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.
Please send your resume along with a cover letter detailing your relevant experience in climate/clean energy communications and track record to jobs@focalpointstrategygroup.com.
