Senior Communications Associate

About the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience

The Alliance for Wildfire Resilience (AWR) is working to achieve meaningful and durable policy change to lessen the negative impacts of wildfire both today and tomorrow. AWR works with the broader wildland fire community to advance policy change and foster systemic solutions to the growing wildfire crisis. 

AWR is a collaboration of AWR Research and AWR Action. AWR Research, a fiscally sponsored project of the 501c3 Resources Legacy Fund (RLF), provides nonpartisan research, analysis, and public education on additional policy solutions to America’s worsening wildland fire crisis. AWR Action, a fiscally sponsored project of the 501c4 Fund for a Better Future (FBF), advocates for wildfire policy reforms through coalition building, strategic communications, and engagement with decisionmakers. 

Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) delivers transformative outcomes for our planet and its people through trusted partnerships and creative campaigns. Rooted in California and expanding across Western North America and beyond, we have a 25-year track record of supporting initiatives at every scale. We host fiscally sponsored projects that reach across the globe, reinforcing the efforts of change makers worldwide. To learn more about Resources Legacy Fund, visit https://resourceslegacyfund.org . 

About the Opportunity

AWR is seeking a strategic and versatile Senior Communications Associate to lead the organization's communications functions in support of AWR's federal wildfire policy and advocacy priorities. This position will shepherd AWR's newsletter, develop and steward organizational media channels, drive earned media strategy, and coordinate paid media and grassroots list activation with outside contractors. The role also works closely with policy staff and AWR's Principal Researcher to translate substantive policy and research work into public-facing communications products. Audiences also include lawmakers, legislative staff, and administration officials. The position is also the point of contact for communications contractors and consultants, including media strategy, paid media, and grassroots list vendors. 

The ideal candidate combines strong writing and editorial judgment with experience developing communications strategy for a small organization, managing outside communications vendors, and working cross-functionally with policy and research staff. Experience in wildfire, natural resources, environmental, or related public policy communications is strongly preferred.

The Senior Communications Associate will work closely with the Managing Director of Partnerships and collaborate regularly with AWR's policy, research, and government relations staff. This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Managing Director of Partnerships. The position is fully remote within the U.S., with periodic travel for partner meetings, media events, and conferences (estimated 2 to 4 trips per year).

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Administration (25%)
- Support the development and implementation of AWR’s overall communications strategy. 
- Develop and maintain AWR's communications channels, ensuring consistent voice, cadence, and quality.
- Support the development of AWR’s brand, voice, and design (e.g., visual style guide, templates, visuals).
- Work with AWR’s Managing Directors to enhance fundraising narrative strategy, including offering thought partnership around how to frame and relay impact, and reviewing donor materials and reports.
- Track and report on communications metrics and effectiveness to inform strategy and funder reporting.

Communications Support (35%)
- Create and disseminate communications products (such as briefs, fact sheets, and public-facing summaries) from AWR staff policy and research work. 
- Support the development and dissemination of in-house publications (such as technical guides and research papers) including editing content and collaborating with third-