Vice President | Echo Communications Advisors

Overview

Echo Communications Advisors is looking for a Vice President who knows the energy and climate policy world from the inside — someone who has worked on Capitol Hill or in a federal agency and who understands not just communications strategy but how Washington and state capitals work.

This is a senior role for someone who lives and breathes the energy world, who has deep relationships in the energy policy community, and who is ready to serve as a trusted strategic counselor to clients navigating consequential policy moments. The right candidate knows how to move fast when a news cycle or committee vote demands it.

We’re not looking for a corporate communications expert, but someone who knows how to leverage strategic communications to shape the environment where policy decisions are made. Experience leading client engagements at a public affairs firm is preferred, as is time spent leading communications strategy on an electoral campaign — but neither is a dealbreaker for the right person.

While the VP’s priority will be delivering for clients, the right person will be interested in building their business development skills to help the firm continue to grow. The VP will drive earned media strategy, help develop and mentor a growing team, and serve as a primary strategic counselor to clients. This position reports directly to the President and is based in Washington, D.C.

 

About Echo Communications Advisors

Echo Communications Advisors is a public affairs firm specializing exclusively in clean energy, climate and conservation policy. Through strategic communications, we help clients achieve their most critical policy, regulatory, and funding objectives by navigating the unique political landscapes of both the federal government and state-level decision-makers.

From the halls of Congress to state legislatures, we tell our clients’ stories to drive narratives and shape the environment in which decisions are made. Drawing on experience in U.S. Senate leadership, presidential and gubernatorial campaigns, and multi-state advocacy coalitions, our team brings sharp political acumen to strategic communications. We empower clean energy companies, advocacy organizations, coalitions, foundations, trade associations, think tanks, climate tech startups, and prominent leaders to drive progress wherever policy is made.

For more information, visit echocomms.com.

 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership
Develop and lead comprehensive communications strategies for clients. Translate complex policy and regulatory dynamics — including federal rulemakings, congressional action, and state-level proceedings — into clear, compelling narratives that move target audiences and shape decision-making environments.

Client Counsel
Serve as a primary strategic advisor to clients on communications matters. Understand client objectives deeply, anticipate political and media risk, provide timely guidance, and deliver high-quality work that earns trust and drives results. Manage day-to-day client relationships with confidence and sound judgment.

Earned Media & Press Relations
Cultivate and maintain relationships with journalists and editors across national, D.C., and trade press — including outlets like Axios, E&E News, Heatmap, Bloomberg, Utility Dive, and major national papers. Develop proactive and responsive media strategies, draft press materials, pitch stories, coordinate interviews, and lead media training for clients.

Writing & Content
Produce and oversee high-quality written work across formats: press releases, op-eds, messaging frameworks, testimony, speeches, talking points, one-pagers, newsletters, and digital content. Set and maintain a high editorial bar for the team.

Digital & Thought Leadership
Oversee management of clients’ LinkedIn presence, newsletter strategy, and video content, ensuring consistent voice and strategic relevance. Identify opportunities to elevate client profiles through owned channels alongside earned media. Contribute to the firm’s own thought leadership through the Echo Chamber — Echo’s newsletter on clean energy policy and politics — including writing on timely issues and identifying guests for video interviews.

Team Leadership
Lead, mentor, and support a growing team of communications professionals. Provide clear direction and constructive feedback, foster a culture of excellence and collaboration, and help develop the next generation of energy policy communicators.

Coalition & Stakeholder Engagement
Support clients in building and activating coalitions, coordinating messaging across allied organizations, and engaging key stakeholders — including Hill staff, agency officials, state legislators, and advocacy partners.

Business Development
Actively contribute to the firm’s growth by developing new client relationships, supporting proposal development, and identifying opportunities to expand existing engagements. While business development experience is not a requirement for the role, the right candidate will be interested in building their skills to help the firm continue to grow.

Technology & Efficiency
Embrace and help integrate AI tools and other emerging technologies to work smarter and deliver more value to clients. Be a model for the team in identifying where new tools can sharpen output or save time.

 

Qualifications

Experience

• A minimum of ten years in communications, public affairs, or policy, with significant experience in the energy, climate, or environmental space — on Capitol Hill, in a federal agency (DOE, EPA, FERC, Interior, or similar), at a public affairs or consulting firm, or in a senior advocacy role. 
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple clients simultaneously in a public affairs or strategic communications firm setting.
• Background in high-profile electoral campaigns is a plus.

Energy & Policy Knowledge

• Substantive understanding of how federal and state energy policy is made: the relevant congressional committees (Senate Energy & Natural Resources, Senate Environment & Public Works, House Energy & Commerce, House Natural Resources), key agencies and regulatory bodies (DOE, FERC, EPA, Interior), and how rulemakings, appropriations, and legislative vehicles interact.
• Familiarity with the major policy debates shaping the clean energy landscape — permitting reform, grid modernization, transmission siting, IRA implementation, state-level energy and climate policy — and the stakeholders driving those debates.
• Understanding of state-level policy forums: utility commissions, state legislatures, governors’ offices, and the role of regional transmission organizations.

Communications Skills

• Exceptional writer — crisp, persuasive, and fast across formats.
• Proven track record of placing impactful stories and developing sharp, effective messaging.
• Experience navigating crisis communications situations.
• Ability to synthesize complex technical or regulatory material into accessible, compelling narratives.
• Strong media trainer and client presenter.

Relationships

• Established relationships with energy journalists and key stakeholders in the D.C. policy community. 
• Existing media contacts across national outlets and relevant trade press.
• Established connections within the clean energy development and climate advocacy communities.

Character

• High integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to confidentiality and discretion.
• Collaborative, low-ego approach to team and client work.
• Self-directed and comfortable with the pace and ambiguity of a small, growing firm.

Travel
Occasional travel for client work and events, as needed.

Location
Echo Communications Advisors is based in Washington, D.C. Our team works in our downtown office four days a week, with some flexibility for remote work as circumstances arise.

 

Salary and Benefits

The base salary range for this position is $120,000–$160,000, not including significant new business bonus opportunities. Echo Communications Advisors offers a generous benefits package including: more than 30 days of paid time off (vacation, sick, personal, and federal holidays); 100% employer-paid health insurance; dental and vision insurance; a retirement plan with employer matching; professional development support; parental leave; and new business bonuses.

 

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@echocomms.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Echo Communications Advisors is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition.