Job Description

As the Editorial & Strategy Fellow at RenPhil, you will spend 3 months helping shape external narrative around key ideas in climate risk mitigation, refine core materials, and develop strategic content that supports this emerging area of work.

Renaissance Philanthropy is a philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing progress on a range of complex science and technology challenges in the public interest. Our team is exploring new approaches to support cutting-edge research and innovation aimed at addressing catastrophic climate risks. The consequences of delayed climate action have become impossible to ignore, with increasingly dire warnings from scientists about the risk of unacceptable, in some cases unimaginable, climate impacts ranging from unpredictable severe weather and catastrophic sea level rise, to dire heat, rainforest die-off, and a range of societal tipping points. Many of these climate impact emergencies could be abated by a rapid acceleration in emissions reductions or direct atmospheric GHG removals. However, political, economic and technological barriers, combined with uncertainty about safe temperature thresholds for earth (and human) systems, mean that the risk of triggering one or more climate emergencies in the next few decades remains high. Renaissance is investigating how philanthropic support could help close critical gaps in science, technology, and governance by enabling translational research that expands society’s toolkit for predicting, preventing, and managing catastrophic climate outcomes. We are exploring ways to support pioneering experts whose work can unlock actionable insights and expand society’s toolkit of options for addressing these escalating risks

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About the Role

We are seeking a 3-month Editorial & Strategy Fellow to help shape external narrative around key ideas in climate risk mitigation, refine core materials, and develop strategic content that supports this emerging area of work.

This role is ideal for someone with a sharp editorial sensibility, diplomatic instincts, and experience working across communications and strategy.

We’re looking for someone who can move fluidly between messaging, stakeholder dynamics, and narrative development – helping us communicate clearly, credibly, and ambitiously about the challenges we’re exploring and the solutions we aim to advance.
A climate science background is not required, though curiosity and the ability to get up to speed quickly are essential.

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Role and Responsibilities

• Editorial Development & Narrative Strategy: Planning a series of articles, essays or op-eds catastrophic climate risk areas and draft pitches to relevant outlets that can engage key audiences in a variety of climate risk ideas and challenges, as well as build interest and support for more research to be done in this space. In the 3 month period, we expect to work with the fellow on developing 3-6 pieces of externally published content, and a narrative strategy document that lays a path for executing further editorial and narrative work on key ideas for the following 9 months.
• Refine Messaging and External Assets: Develop and help refine strategic communication assets such as blogs, slide decks, and one-pagers to advance interest and key ideas in climate risk mitigation. By the end of the 3 month period we aim to have 3-5 blog posts and 2-3 tailored pitches for a variety of audiences.
• Stakeholder Engagement Planning: Help design convenings, webinars, and informal roundtable discussions that help coordinate stakeholders and deepen shared understanding across funders, scientists, and public communicators. We expect the fellow will help develop a narrative for at least one major event in June.
• Engagement with Critics and Skeptics: Identify points of tension or concern in public discourse around catastrophic climate risks and novel climate interventions and develop language or strategies to engage constructively – grounded in transparency, humility, and scientific integrity, as well as available research on public engagement on relevant climate risk topics.
• Strategic Support: Provide input on strategically communicating climate risk and response ideas within the philanthropic and climate innovation ecosystems, including identifying potential allies, critics, or narratives we should proactively address.

Additional Opportunities (Depending on Fellow's Interests & Strengths):

• Writing thought leadership content in collaboration with the RenPhil team
• Developing communications toolkits for grantees
• Researching and synthesizing best practices from adjacent fields (e.g. emergency planning, pandemic preparedness, nuclear risk communication, biotech governance)
• Identifying strategic partnerships or platforms to communicate key ideas.

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Key Qualifications

We’re Looking For Someone Who:

• Has excellent writing and editorial skills across formats and audiences
• Understands how to shape public narrative while anticipating criticism
• Can balance scientific complexity with accessible, compelling storytelling
• Brings strategic awareness and political fluency to high-stakes communications
• Is comfortable working independently, quickly, and without all answers readily available
• Shares our values around responsible innovation, scientific integrity, and the public interest

We are also open to additional projects if a candidate brings particular expertise. We welcome new ideas that align with our mission and enhance our impact.

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Apply

This is a 3-month fellowship, with a commitment of 20–40 hours per week and a starting rate of $60/hour. We’re open to offering a higher rate for candidates with exceptional relevant experience. There is also potential for the fellowship to evolve into a full-time or ongoing part-time role, depending on mutual interest and fit.

If you’re excited about helping shape our public voice and advancing our mission, please submit your application before April 11.

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Instead of a traditional cover letter, please respond to the following two prompts (upload this to the cover letter portion of the application):

1. We aim to communicate clearly, credibly, and ambitiously about climate tipping points. Share an example of when you helped shape a compelling narrative on a complex issue. What was your approach, and what impact did it have? (200 words max)
2. Climate interventions often face scrutiny. Describe a time when you engaged with skepticism or criticism in a professional setting. How did you approach the conversation, and what was the outcome? (200 words max)

Selected applicants will be invited to a short initial interview, a brief (paid) work test, and a final interview.

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Diversity

We encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply, regardless of whether you feel you meet 100% of the qualifications. The top candidates will bring their own unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds from a variety of industries along with many but not necessarily all the skills listed above.

Recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and retaining a diverse workforce is critical to our success. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Renaissance Philanthropy is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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