Application Guide

How to Apply for Strategic Communications Lead

at RMI

🏢 About RMI

RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute) is a leading global nonprofit focused on transforming energy systems to secure a clean, zero-carbon future by 2030. Unlike traditional environmental NGOs, RMI combines rigorous research, market-based solutions, and deep collaboration with businesses and governments to drive systemic change. Working here means joining a mission-driven, highly respected team at the forefront of the energy transition, with a culture that values innovation, impact, and urgency.

About This Role

As the Strategic Communications Lead, you will be the communications partner for RMI's Buildings team, shaping strategies that advance clean energy in the built environment. You'll work closely with program staff and global colleagues to design integrated campaigns that influence policy, markets, and stakeholders. This role is pivotal in translating complex technical work into compelling narratives that accelerate decarbonization.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve meeting with Buildings program staff to align on upcoming report launches, drafting messaging for a new policy brief, and coordinating with global colleagues on a campaign rollout. You could also be analyzing audience feedback, refining a communications plan, or briefing a spokesperson before a media interview. The pace is fast, collaborative, and focused on driving impact.

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🎯 Who RMI Is Looking For

  • 8+ years of experience in strategic communications, with a focus on energy, climate, or built environment issues.
  • Proven ability to develop and execute integrated communications strategies that influence policy and market outcomes.
  • Strong understanding of the clean energy transition, particularly in buildings and electricity sectors, and experience working with global teams.
  • Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences including policymakers, industry, and media.

📝 Tips for Applying to RMI

1

Highlight your experience in energy or climate communications, specifically any work related to buildings or electricity—RMI values sector expertise.

2

Demonstrate your ability to work across geographies and teams by citing examples of global or cross-functional collaboration.

3

Showcase measurable impact: quantify how your communications strategies influenced policy, shifted market narratives, or engaged key audiences.

4

Tailor your resume and cover letter to RMI's mission and language: use terms like 'clean energy transition,' 'built environment,' and 'zero-carbon future.'

5

Include a portfolio or writing samples that demonstrate your ability to simplify complex energy topics for varied audiences.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience in developing communications strategies for energy or climate issues, especially in the built environment.', 'How you have influenced policy or market outcomes through strategic communications, with concrete examples.', 'Your ability to collaborate effectively with program teams and global colleagues to co-create and execute communications plans.', "Your passion for RMI's mission and a clear understanding of the urgency to decarbonize by 2030."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → RMI's Buildings program: understand their key initiatives, reports, and goals for decarbonizing the built environment.
  • → RMI's overall mission and strategy, including their 2030 zero-carbon goal and how communications supports it.
  • → Recent RMI communications campaigns or reports (e.g., on building electrification, efficiency) to understand their tone and approach.
  • → Key stakeholders and audiences RMI engages with, such as policymakers, utilities, and industry partners.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a communications strategy to advance building electrification in a key market?
2 Describe a time you had to influence a skeptical audience (e.g., policymakers, industry leaders) on a clean energy issue.
3 How do you approach measuring the impact of communications strategies?
4 Can you share an example of a global communications campaign you led and how you managed cultural and regional differences?
5 What do you see as the biggest communications challenges in accelerating the clean energy transition in the built environment?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Being too generic: failing to connect your experience to RMI's specific focus on buildings and the clean energy transition.
  • Overlooking global context: RMI works across geographies, so ignoring international dimensions in your examples can be a drawback.
  • Focusing only on tactics: this role is strategic, so emphasizing execution over strategy development and audience analysis could hurt your candidacy.

📅 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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