EVP, Communications

Panthalassa is a renewable energy and ocean-technology public-benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Backed by leading venture capital, philanthropic, and institutional investors, we develop technologies that capture civilizational-scale, ultra-low-cost renewable energy for computing, affordable renewable fuels, and environmental stewardship.

About the role

As the first EVP of Communications, you will build the function from the ground up for a company entering the public stage. You will shape narratives around ocean energy, clean data centers, renewable fuels, and environmental responsibility while establishing Panthalassa’s credibility with investors, media, policymakers, partners, employees, and the public.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will partner with brand, strategy, product, and environmental leads to craft compelling stories that align with our mission and long-term business goals. You will also build and lead a high-performing team of communicators, manage media relationships, and translate complex science and engineering into accessible language.

Responsibilities

• Brand & Narrative
  • Create and shepherd a clear brand and messaging strategy tied to mission, company values, and product roadmap.
  • Partner with brand, strategy, product, environmental, legal/regulatory, and public-affairs teams to define brand voice, positioning, and narrative.
  • Develop proactive communications strategies that build awareness of our technology, mission, and team, defining messaging pillars across energy transformation, clean AI, renewable fuels, human-welfare improvements from energy abundance, and environmental responsibility.
  • Partner with environmental leads to showcase new scientific research and initiatives enabled by our platform.
• Media & PR
  • Build relationships with traditional and new media across energy, climate, technology, business, and culture.
  • Pitch stories and gain earned media coverage across traditional, digital, and broadcast channels.
  • Field inbound interest and build systems to manage hundreds of media relationships with good judgment while maintaining trust.
  • Draft, edit, and oversee written content: press releases, statements, op-eds, advisories, fact sheets, talking points, and promotional materials.
• Executive Communications
  • Serve as a strategic partner to the executive team on company messaging, announcements, funding narratives, and industry moments.
  • Craft and deliver executive communications that reflect leadership voice and organizational values.
  • Secure speaking opportunities and help develop op-eds, social posts, keynote materials, and other content.
• Social Media Strategy & Content
  • Build a team to develop, own, and execute a social media content strategy aligned with company goals and audience growth targets.
  • Stay deeply engaged with current discourse to anticipate and respond strategically to emerging narratives, questions, and opportunities.
  • Produce content that educates, inspires, and drives engagement across technical and general audiences.
• Community Engagement
  • Identify recurring themes, questions, and feedback from the community and build systems to address them.
  • Create meaningful dialogue via email, comments, and forums; engage the right internal voices when a response is needed.
  • Initiate, organize, and host in-person events.

Requirements

• 4+ years of relevant experience in media relations, journalism, public relations, or strategic communications, including senior leadership roles.
• Proven record of extraordinary achievement, adaptability, and intelligence over strict years of experience.
• Experience managing press both reactively and proactively.
• Ability to perform most aspects of the role as an individual contributor.
• Evidence of calm, credible leadership of high-powered teams.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to make complex ideas clear and compelling.
• Strong relationships with relevant media and journalists.
• Experience managing agencies and building in-house teams.
• Strong judgment, presence, and ability to operate effectively in moments of ambiguity or rapid change.
• Ability to thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment where the best ideas change the company’s direction regularly.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with policy and regulatory communications.
• Experience developing and implementing communications strategies for a global company, with tailored local and regional engagement across international jurisdictions.
• Experience supporting C-suite media training and preparation.
• Experience in high-growth, venture-backed, or founder-led environments.
• Proven track record of building brand awareness in energy, climate, deep tech, industrial projects, or adjacent industries.

Benefits

• Flexible paid time off.
• Health insurance: the company pays 100% of gold-level PPO plan for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents.
• Dental insurance: the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents.
• Vision insurance: the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents.
• Disability insurance: the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long-term financial support if you become disabled.
• Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts: 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA.
• Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

Pay

Cash compensation of $230,000 – $350,000 plus equity in the company.

Schedule

Full-time, on-site at our offices in Portland, Oregon.