Grid Strategies is seeking an external affairs and communications associate to join our growing team to support Grid Strategies’ communications and media strategy and external events organizing. This role can be remote, but candidates in (or willing to relocate to) the San Francisco or Washington, DC region for a hybrid role are preferred. Travel of up to 20% of your time may be required. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Supporting Grid Strategies’ communications and media strategy by: 

• Assisting Grid Strategies team members with preparing for media engagement, such as by providing background research and offering prep sessions; 

• Developing and maintaining relationships with members of the media, on behalf of Grid Strategies; 

• Working with clients around public announcements to coordinate needed information and materials, including assisting with preparing press releases and other communications-focused materials;  

• Managing Grid Strategies’ social media interactions, such as posting when Grid Strategies team members are speaking at events, sharing news, and promoting new Grid Strategies reports, as well as proposing and executing new communications strategies and campaigns to highlight Grid Strategies’ work;  

• Maintaining Grid Strategies’ shared PowerPoint and other presentation materials to ensure consistency, quality, and accessibility to all team members for various uses; and 

• Monitoring and summarizing news related to topics of interest to Grid Strategies team members. 

• Leading Grid Strategies’ external events organizing, including: 

• Researching, negotiating, and securing meeting spaces; 

• Arranging meeting services, such as food and beverage, audio-visual equipment, name badges and tent cards, etc.; 

• Serving as a liaison between clients, attendees, suppliers, and other Grid Strategies team members before and during events; 

• Developing and communicating run of show for events and ensuring time management during events; 

• Speaking with attendees to identify improvements for future events; and 

• Reviewing and reconciling company credit card charges with events-related expenses, including Grid Strategies team member travel. 

• Arranging internal Grid Strategies team events, including an annual all-staff retreat and periodic events, such as holiday parties. 

• Assisting Grid Strategies team members with preparing for conferences and other external events, such as helping with travel arrangements, preparing talking points and slide decks, sending required materials to conference planners, proposing conference sessions, and organizing meetings with other conference attendees to maximize the value of Grid Strategies team member attendance. 

• Updating Grid Strategies’ website, including routine website management, posting new reports, and proposing and implementing website enhancements. 

• Additional administrative responsibilities and special projects, as assigned. 

 Preferred Qualifications/Skills: 

• A bachelor’s degree with 1-5 years of relevant experience with communications, social media management, graphic design, administrative tasks, customer service, and/or event planning. 

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize competing demands, including effective time management skills, ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, both within an organization (e.g., ability to manage upward communication) and externally with clients. 

• Ability to work independently and take the lead, particularly on event organizing and problem-solving. 

• Ability to work within a specified budget. 

• Strong organizational and planning skills and ability to manage a broadly user-friendly shared electronic filing system (e.g., SharePoint). 

• Detail- and process-oriented mindset. 

• Creativity for proposing website, social media, and other communications campaigns and innovations. 

• Interest in the substance of Grid Strategies’ work and mission. 

• Interest in growing communications and event planning skills. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially PowerPoint; proficiency with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and WebEx, and ability to quickly learn other video conferencing programs, as needed; familiarity or ability to quickly learn project management, data visualization, and design platforms, such as Notion, Tableaux, and Canva. 

Pay Range: $65,000-85,000. Final pay will be determined based on relevant experience and skills, geographic location, and education and relevant training. 

Application Process: To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to gkershaw@gridstrategiesllc.com, neither prepared using artificial intelligence tools. 

Timeline: Grid Strategies will accept rolling applications until the position is filled, but priority will be given to earlier applicants as we intend to fill the position quickly.