Chief Communications Officer

The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), a 501(c)(3) organization with over 1,000 members, accelerates the transition to a clean, affordable, and resilient electricity system for all. SEPA engages with its diverse membership—including utilities, policymakers, regulators, and technology companies—through education, collaboration and convening to advance innovative policy, regulatory, and technology solutions.

We are seeking a Chief Communications Officer with deep energy sector expertise to elevate SEPA’s visibility and influence in the energy ecosystem, expand our market presence, and lead an integrated strategy across communications, branding, and stakeholder engagement. As a key member of the Executive Team, you will report directly to the CEO and oversee the strategic branding, digital communications, public relations, marketing, and Public Utilities Fortnightly teams. You will also be the main point of contact with external consultants relating to communications, graphic design, and other areas. You’ll lead your teams to amplify the reach and impact of a growing portfolio of in-person and virtual events, online education, research deliverables, publications, working groups, and peer engagements.

This role is highly visible in the energy sector and requires a leader with strategic vision, established industry relationships, and a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in a remote environment. By aligning SEPA’s brand, stakeholder engagement, marketing strategies and publications, you will amplify our voice and credibility in the energy transition, deepen relationships with members and the broader energy community, and uncover new opportunities for strategic partnerships.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Your leadership will translate the Executive Team’s vision into targeted engagement initiatives that directly address member needs and expand SEPA’s influence and thought leadership across all platforms, while supporting revenue diversification. Key focus areas include:

• Brand Strategy and Digital Communications. Lead SEPA’s brand and voice strategy, ensuring messaging is clear, compelling, and mission-aligned across executive communications, digital platforms, and media engagement.
• Marketing. Drive integrated marketing strategies for SEPA’s events, education, and research products tailored to the needs of key players across the energy sector (utilities, software companies, community organizations, etc.).
• Public Utilities Fortnightly. Oversee the editorial direction and brand development of Public Utilities Fortnightly to position it as the leading journal for regulated utilities while broadening its appeal to a wider audience of clean energy stakeholders. Ensure a capable team is in place to implement an editorial strategy that reflects diverse industry perspectives and supports SEPA’s commitment to non-advocacy and innovation.
• External Contractors. Manage and strengthen relationships with PR agencies, freelance writers, and creative vendors to balance in-house capacity with outsourced expertise, resulting in high-impact campaigns and products that generate a high return on investment.
• Audience Intelligence. Position SEPA as a forward-looking industry partner by using market research to identify trends, expand into new markets, and diversify engagement channels. Lead efforts to better understand SEPA’s audiences by curating high-value contact networks, refining segmentation, and optimizing outreach to ensure the right messages reach the right stakeholders at the right time. Use data to guide engagement strategies that drive participation, visibility, and sustained connection across SEPA’s ecosystem.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• This role offers a remote working environment with the option of a Washington, DC, co-working space. Travel up to 30-40% is required for SEPA events/meetings and engagements with external stakeholders.
• The salary range for this position is $225K – $250K. We offer an outstanding benefits package, including fully paid health, dental, vision, and HRA; Flexible Spending Account; fully paid short & long-term disability; life insurance; 24 days of PTO; travel assistance; 401(k) with 4% employer match; a 457(b) option; telecommuting reimbursement; professional development reimbursement; employee assistance program; health and wellness reimbursement; and pet insurance discounts.
• At SEPA, culture isn’t something we declare—it’s something we live. We are building a Culture for Everyone: a workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive, grow, and contribute to a mission that matters. SEPA prioritizes diversity within its workforce and across the energy industry. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive workforce drives innovation, creativity, and better decision-making.
• SEPA aims to create a welcoming and equitable environment for all individuals, regardless of their background, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or ability.

Responsibilities

Organizational Strategy and Leadership

• Participate in the executive team’s ongoing strategic planning process. Translate strategy into short and long-term actionable planning for the team.
• Drive operational efficiency by evaluating and optimizing resources, processes, and tools to enhance service delivery and team performance.
• Set annual organizational performance metrics. Accountable for significant portions of the organization’s annual revenue.
• Oversee department budgets, evaluating return on investment from staff time and expenses.
• Represent SEPA as a strategic voice for the organization at high-level industry forums, events, and Board of Directors meetings.

Team Leadership

• Lead and align the brand strategy & digital communications, marketing, and Public Utilities Fortnightly teams, as well as external consultants, under a unified strategic vision.
• Build a culture of high performance, collaboration, and accountability through mentorship, professional development, and consistent performance management.
• Establish and monitor staff performance and career development goals. Set priorities, offer regular feedback, and measure results.
• Lead high-performing, remote teams, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth. Inspire teams to recognize the impact of their contributions in forwarding SEPA’s mission.

Brand Strategy and Digital Communications

• Elevate SEPA’s brand visibility and thought leadership by leading strategic communications, executive positioning, and media engagement.
• Drive audience growth and secure top leadership participation in SEPA’s executive programs, including the annual Energy Evolution Summit, Utility Executive Cohort, and Fact Finding Mission.
• Leverage the work of researchers, working groups, and industry experts to advance SEPA’s mission.
• Oversee the development and execution of multi-channel marketing and communications strategies, balancing paid, earned, owned, and shared media, and ensure high-quality content is delivered across digital platforms to drive engagement and impact.
• Guide product positioning and go-to-market strategies for new and existing offerings, informed by audience insights and ROI data.
• Ensure a seamless digital experience across all SEPA platforms by optimizing the customer journey, user experience and user interface, and maintaining consistent messaging.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of progressive leadership in marketing and communications within the energy sector, with deep expertise in utilities, the clean energy transition, regulatory environments, and stakeholder ecosystems. A degree in marketing, communications, or a related field is preferred.
• Exceptional communication and public speaking skills with a demonstrated ability to elevate brand visibility, engage national media, and represent thought leadership in high-profile industry forums.
• Experience leading high-performing, cross-functional, and remote teams and managing external consultants.
• Record of leading integrated, multi-channel marketing and sales strategies to launch new products, drive engagement, and support revenue growth.
• Experience managing complex budgets, consistently achieving revenue targets, and evaluating return on investment on promotional and engagement strategies.
• Experience working with or for a monthly publication or magazine is a plus.

About SEPA

The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), a 501(c)(3) organization with over 1,000 members, accelerates the transition to a clean, affordable, and resilient electricity system for all. SEPA engages with its diverse membership—including utilities, policymakers, regulators, and technology companies—through education, collaboration and convening to advance innovative policy, regulatory, and technology solutions.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.