Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Editor

at RMI

🏢 About RMI

RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute) is a global nonprofit transforming energy systems to secure a clean, zero-carbon future by 2030. Unlike traditional environmental groups, RMI works with businesses, governments, and communities to deploy market-based solutions at scale. Joining RMI means contributing to high-impact, optimistic work on the front lines of the energy transition, alongside passionate experts and communicators.

About This Role

As Senior Editor, you will be a strategic editorial partner to program experts, communications colleagues, and organizational leaders, shaping narratives and thought leadership content across RMI's portfolio. You'll translate complex energy analysis into compelling stories that engage diverse audiences and advance RMI's mission. This role is pivotal in strengthening RMI's voice and influence in the clean energy space.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start your day reviewing a draft report from the electricity program, suggesting structural edits to make it more compelling for policymakers. Later, you'll brainstorm with the social media team on how to repurpose a recent blog into a thread, and then meet with a program expert to outline a new thought leadership piece. You'll also provide feedback on a colleague's op-ed and check in with the managing editor on upcoming priorities.

🚀 Application Tools

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🎯 Who RMI Is Looking For

  • Journalistic background with a strong portfolio of editing, writing, and storytelling in energy, energy transition, or climate.
  • Exceptional editorial craft, including the ability to shape narratives, develop thought leadership, and advise on content strategy.
  • Proven experience collaborating across programs, design, marketing, and external partners to create audience-centered content.
  • Deep curiosity and strategic thinking, with a passion for accelerating the clean energy transition and translating technical analysis into accessible stories.

📝 Tips for Applying to RMI

1

Tailor your portfolio to highlight energy and climate storytelling—include clips that demonstrate your ability to make complex energy topics accessible to diverse audiences.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your editorial philosophy to RMI's mission and show how you've used storytelling to drive engagement or action on energy/climate issues.

3

Research RMI's recent reports, blogs, and campaigns, and propose specific ideas for how you could elevate their editorial content in your application.

4

Emphasize your experience working with subject matter experts (e.g., scientists, analysts) to shape narratives, as this is central to the role.

5

Demonstrate familiarity with RMI's audience segments (policymakers, business leaders, etc.) and how you would tailor content for each.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your journalistic approach to editing and storytelling, with concrete examples of translating complex energy topics into compelling narratives.', "Your experience as a strategic editorial partner to experts and leaders, and how you've influenced content strategy.", "Your passion for the clean energy transition and alignment with RMI's mission and values.", 'Your ability to collaborate across teams (design, marketing, web, social) to create audience-centered content that drives engagement.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → RMI's key programs and initiatives (e.g., electricity, industry, buildings, transportation) and their recent reports or blogs.
  • → RMI's Strategic Communications Team structure and how the Senior Editor fits into their content ecosystem.
  • → RMI's audience segments and how they tailor content for different stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, business leaders).
  • → Recent news or op-eds from RMI leaders to understand their tone and messaging priorities.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How you would approach editing a technical report on energy transition to make it accessible and engaging for a general audience.
2 Your process for collaborating with program experts to shape thought leadership pieces while maintaining editorial integrity.
3 A time you used editorial judgment to navigate a sensitive or complex topic in energy/climate.
4 How you stay current on energy trends and incorporate them into content strategy.
5 Your vision for strengthening RMI's editorial voice and audience engagement across channels.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention energy, climate, or RMI's mission—this role requires topical expertise and passion.
  • Portfolio lacking energy/climate clips or showing only academic or highly technical writing without evidence of storytelling for broader audiences.
  • Not demonstrating strategic thinking—focusing only on line editing rather than narrative shaping and content strategy.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to RMI!

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