The Future of Heat Initiative (FoHI) is a nonprofit organization that provides in-depth technical, legal, and economic analysis to support utility regulators and policymakers in navigating the future of energy delivery. We’re building a high-functioning research operation capable of producing rigorous, policy-relevant work that influences how regulators, advocates, and policymakers think about complex systems.

Communications and Development Associate

Location: New York, NY (Morningside Heights)

In-office policy: Employees are expected to work in person at least three days per week.

Salary range: $75,000 – $90,000

Start date: Prior to January 22, 2027

About the Future of Heat Initiative

The Future of Heat Initiative (FoHI) is a nonpartisan, independent nonprofit that provides in-depth technical, legal, and economic analysis to support utility regulators, public interest intervenors, and policymakers as they navigate the future of the natural gas distribution system. Through rigorous research, tailored workshops, and direct consultation, FoHI helps states and agencies uphold the affordability, safety, and reliability of energy services while managing the long-term economic and climate challenges of an evolving energy system. First round applicants will be evaluated based on the quality of their written and/or visual work samples.

Position Overview

FoHI is seeking a Communications and Development Associate to turn our technical research into clear, compelling visual communications for researchers, policymakers, and funders. Most of this work happens in slide decks, so you will be the person who makes our analysis easy to understand and hard to ignore. You will work with dense legal, economic, and regulatory material. No energy background is needed, but you must be able to learn it quickly.

You will report to the Deputy Director of Research and the Executive Director, and work closely with our research and policy teams as well as external design and communications consultants. This is a new role in a small, collaborative organization, with real room to shape how FoHI communicates. 

Responsibilities

Research and policy communications (about 50% of time)

• Turn complex legal, economic, and regulatory research into clear, well-designed slide presentations for technical audiences, working closely with the research team to keep the analysis accurate.
• Translate the same research into accessible, policy-ready presentations for policymakers, in support of the policy team.
• Update and maintain a master slide template and a library of up-to-date slides so new decks start mostly built.
• Create clear charts, diagrams, and other visuals that make complex regulatory, legal, and economic analysis easy to follow.

Communications support (about 25% of time)

• Upload, edit, and post content to our Substack – basedrates.substack.com - cross-post to LinkedIn
• Maintain and update our Squarespace website – thefutureofheat.com
• Work with our external communications consultant to track and gather media clips and prepare materials for the press.

Support Executive Director and development efforts (about 25% of time)

• Support the Executive Director with communications for current and prospective funders, including decks, one-pagers, and funder updates.
• Develop stories about FoHI's work and impact for different audiences.
• Gather and track data and metrics on FoHI's progress and success.
• Provide light donor prospecting support, such as researching funders and keeping a prospect list.
• Provide grant management support, such as tracking deadlines and reporting requirements and helping draft reports.

Qualifications

Required

• At least 2 years of professional experience designing presentations, reports, or data visuals for professional audiences, in a role such as communications, design, or research support. There is no minimum degree requirement for candidates with relevant work experience.
• Advanced skill in PowerPoint and/or Google Slides.
• Proficiency in at least one of Figma, Canva, or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong visual design sense, including layout, typography, and data visualization.
• Strong writing skills and the ability to understand technical material well enough to summarize it accurately for non-expert audiences.
• Attention to detail.
• Comfort working with data and spreadsheets.
• Ability to manage multiple requests from different teams, meet deadlines, and work independently in a small organization.
• Willingness to work in person at least three days per week in New York, NY.

Preferred

• Demonstrated interest in energy, utility regulation, or public policy.
• Proficiency with AI tools.
• A degree in communication design, visual communication design, or a data design-related field.
• Experience with Notion and Google Workspace.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $75,000 – $90,000, depending on experience. FoHI also offers:

• An immediate 401(k) match of up to 6%.
• FoHI offers health benefits through a QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement). The Health care allowance is $530 per month ($6,360 per year) for individual coverage, or $1,080 per month ($12,960 per year) for family coverage. 

Work Authorization

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. We welcome applications from candidates on OPT with at least 12 months of work authorization remaining as of their start date. However, we are unfortunately unable to sponsor candidates for work authorization after their OPT ends.

How to Apply

Please Apply through the Gusto Link.