Director - Communications, CA (Recycling Outr

Role Overview

The Director of Communications is a senior leader responsible for developing and delivering integrated communications and education & outreach strategies to support implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for California’s SB 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act.

The role leads statewide efforts to drive participation, reduce contamination and build public understanding of recycling requirements across diverse audiences. The Director oversees program execution and ensures alignment with national strategy, messaging and frameworks.

In close alignment with national communications leadership, this role also leads the development of proactive and reactive communications strategies to support program success in a complex and evolving regulatory and public policy environment. The Director is responsible for anticipating risk, identifying opportunities to shape narrative and ensuring communications are aligned to both program objectives and the external landscape.

Key Responsibilities

 Recycling Education & Outreach

• Lead California’s statewide recycling education and outreach efforts, partnering with national teams to drive strategy, implementation and performance to achieve behavior change and program outcomes
• Oversee statewide and locally delivered public education campaigns, coordinating with national teams and agencies to ensure alignment with CAA brand, messaging and strategic priorities
• Direct sector-based outreach and technical assistance efforts across commercial, multifamily and education sectors, as well as priority populations, ensuring alignment with statewide priorities and national frameworks
• Adapt national frameworks and best practices to California while enabling locally relevant, culturally responsive approaches

Communications

• Oversee California communications strategy, planning and execution, including media engagement and interest holder communications
• Oversee the development and maintenance of comprehensive messaging frameworks that support program implementation across all phases – from early market signalling to issue response – ensuring consistency with national positioning while tailoring for California’s regulatory and political environment.
• Anticipate emerging issues and oversee the development of both proactive and reactive messaging strategies – identifying risks and opportunities early, shaping narratives and advising leadership response in coordination with national communications leadership
• Ensure that CAA is monitoring the external landscape, including policy developments, regulatory signals, media narratives and interest holder sentiment, to proactively inform communications strategy and position the organization ahead of emerging issues

Program Delivery & Operations

• Direct large-scale program delivery, including planning, vendor management and campaign execution
• In collaboration with national communications leadership, manage an annual budget of up to $100+ million and allocate resources to maximize impact and efficiency
• Ensure that CAA’s measurement and evaluation frameworks are applied to track program performance, generate actionable insights and drive continuous improvement
• Direct the synthesis of state-level insights to inform and strengthen national strategy

Interest Holder Engagement

• Support the organization’s direct engagement with local jurisdictions, tribes, service providers, end markets, producers, trade associations and community organizations in California
• Support program implementation through clear, consistent and coordinated outreach and communications, including aligning messaging with interest holder dynamics and external landscape considerations

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team spanning communications and recycling outreach functions
• Set priorities, establish operating rhythms, and ensure effective execution across a complex program

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in communications, education & outreach, public engagement, or related fields, including leadership roles
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale outreach, communications, or behavior change programs
• Strong understanding of the recycling and solid waste management system, including how education & outreach functions within municipal service delivery; direct experience in California’s regulatory and program landscape strongly preferred

• Experience developing proactive communications strategies and managing issues in a complex, highly visible or regulated environment, with demonstrated ability to anticipate risks and shape narratives 
• Familiarity with public policy, regulatory processes and interest holder dynamics, with the ability to operate effectively at the intersection of communications and public affairs 
• Experience managing teams, complex initiatives, and significant budgets
• Ability to translate complex policy and technical requirements into clear, actionable public guidance
• Proven ability to work effectively in a multi-interest-holder environment

Compensation & Other Information

• Location: Remote in California
• Pay Rate: Based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and experience.
• Reports To: California Executive Director

Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org.