Description

You can make a difference for climate and equity- Join Slipstream as a Director of Marketing & Communications!

Slipstream is a national, mission-driven organization that accelerates climate solutions—for everyone. We inspire new approaches to complex energy challenges and are optimistic, inclusive, and ambitious about our impact.

About the Role

The Director of Marketing provides strategic leadership and vision for Slipstream’s brand, communications, and program marketing efforts. As a senior leader, this role ensures all marketing initiatives reflect organizational values, amplify program impact, and support stakeholder engagement and fundraising.

This leader guides and develops staff, shapes organizational storytelling, and strengthens Slipstream’s visibility among funders, partners, policymakers, and the communities it serves. Working closely with teams across the organization, the Director ensures marketing and communications elevate the mission, highlight program success, and translate complex technical work into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.

What You'll Do

• Strategic Leadership & Mission Alignment
  • Provide strategic oversight for all marketing and communications activities that advance the organization’s mission, programs, and fundraising efforts.
  • Develop and guide the execution of annual and multiyear marketing plans aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Partner with executives and program leads to anticipate needs and guide communications strategy during key initiatives.
  • Operate effectively at strategic and tactical levels, balancing long-term planning with day-to-day execution.
  • Build strong relationships across the organization and externally with key stakeholders, including the media.
• Brand, Storytelling & Communications
  • Steward the organization’s brand identity, messaging framework, visual guidelines, and tone of voice.
  • Ensure all communications (digital, media, external and internal) are cohesive and accessible, and aligned with the organization’s strategic plan.
  • Direct staff producing high quality mission driven content, including reports, stories, digital content, media materials, and program marketing assets.
• Program Marketing & Campaign Oversight
  • Guide staff and program teams in planning and implementing specific marketing strategies that drive engagement and measurable outcomes for clients.
  • Oversee multichannel campaigns supporting fundraising, program participation, events, and visibility.
• External & Internal Communications
  • Develop and execute an integrated external communications strategy that elevates the organization’s brand, visibility, and reputation across priority audiences.
  • Oversee the creation of highquality external content, including press releases, opeds, blogs, newsletters, impact stories, case studies, and campaign materials.
  • Manage media relations, including cultivating journalist relationships, pitching stories, and preparing spokespeople for interviews.
  • Ensure brand consistency across all external communications, digital channels, and public-facing materials.
  • Guide crisis and issues communications to protect organizational trust and credibility.
  • Support executive visibility by securing speaking engagements, thoughtleadership placements, and strategic partnerships.
  • Represent Slipstream by presenting program outcomes and insights at state, regional, and national forums, strengthening the organization’s reputation as a leader in energy efficiency and community impact.
  • Partner with executive leadership to design internal communication structures that support alignment, transparency, and culture building.
  • Lead the development and publication of the organization’s annual impact report and impact reports for funders.
  • Provide guidance on the CEO Communications plan.
• Digital Strategy & Data Informed Decision Making
  • Oversee digital platforms, tools, and analytics practices to ensure accessibility, ethical use of data, and community-centered engagement.
  • Support staff using analytics to refine strategies and measure impact.
• Team Leadership
  • Lead, mentor, and develop the marketing and communications team, supporting professional development, instituting process improvements, and revising workflows when needed.
  • Advance the current annual communications plan and lead the development of future annual communications plans.
  • Lead the annual review process, set clear performance expectations and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and mission-aligned, high performance.
  • Provide coaching and mentorship to build leadership capability within the team.
• Resource Management & Ethical AI Use
  • Lead a collaborative budgeting process with the team, while coordinating with the Principal Director of Advancement and the Accounting Department to ensure alignment and accuracy.
  • Manage vendor relationships and ensure responsible stewardship of nonprofit resources.
  • Establish and maintain guidelines for ethical AI-assisted content and communications workflows.
• These responsibilities are not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned from time-to-time.
  
  

Requirements

What You'll Need

Required

• 10+ years of experience in marketing/communications, with at least 5 years in leadership roles within a nonprofit, mission-driven organization, or similarly complex environment.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic marketing initiatives that support program outcomes, fundraising, and organizational visibility.
• Strong background in storytelling, brand stewardship, external communications, and equity-centered communications.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience with a background in sustainability/energy/ decarbonization.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience supervising a team, vendors, budgets, and multichannel marketing strategies.
• Familiarity with digital marketing tactics and tools, including CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), CMS platforms (e.g., Drupal, Wagtail), email marketing tools (e.g., Pardot, Active Campaign), and web analytics and SEO/SEM/GEO tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Moz).
• Skilled at communicating with leadership, board members, and external stakeholders.
• Experience guiding teams on responsible use of AI-generated content.

Preferred

• Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive content practices.
• Experience supporting communications during periods of organizational change.
• Experience creating reports and communications as part of building relationships with foundations.
• Experience creating reports and communications as part of individual giving and major gifts campaigns.
   

What Makes A Great Candidate

• Strong strategic marketing leadership skills with the ability to align brand and communications efforts to mission, program, and fundraising goals.
• Proven ability to steward and strengthen an organizational brand, ensuring consistency, credibility, and alignment with values.
• Ability to lead program marketing and multichannel campaigns that support impact, engagement, and growth.
• Strong storytelling and content development skills, including translating complex work into clear, compelling narratives.
• Experience with media relations, public relations, and external communications with funders, partners, policymakers, and press.
• Ability to support internal communications that promote transparency, alignment, and change management.
• Experience using digital strategy, marketing technology, and data to inform decisions and improve engagement.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills, including partnering across teams and elevating partner voices.
• Proven team leadership, mentoring, and staff development experience with an inclusive leadership approach.
• Ability to manage budgets, vendors, and resources responsibly in a nonprofit environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with executive leadership and board members.
• Experience guiding the ethical and responsible use of AI tools in marketing and communications.
   

Physical

• Primarily a sedentary role, with tasks typically performed while sitting or occasionally standing.
• Ability to operate a computer and standard office equipment.
• Tasks demand visual focus for reading, design work, and working on screens.
• Ability to distinguish between colors is essential for visual and brand design.
• This position frequently communicates via phone and video conferencing, with in-person interactions as applicable.
   

Work Environment

• Mostly remote position with the ability to work from home or another suitable location with reliable internet access. Hybrid work available if located in Madison, WI or Chicago, IL. If in-office, expect a moderate noise level.
• Must have the ability to work independently while staying engaged with the team through virtual communication tools such as email, chat, and video conferencing.
• Requires a quiet and professional workspace for virtual meetings and collaboration.
• Typical schedule of 9–5 in Central Time zone [or any U.S. time zone]. Flex hours may be available depending on role and team requirements.
• Some travel required for in-person meetings, conferences, and events.