Head of Communications and Government Affairs

Head of Communications and Government Affairs 

Vaulted Deep  

Location: San Francisco, CA or Houston, TX (hybrid workplace) 

Salary range: $180k-$220k/year 

About Vaulted  

Vaulted Deep is a technology company that injects waste deep underground to remove carbon from the atmosphere while providing waste management solutions to support clean land, air and water. Vaulted is based in Houston, San Francisco, and Kansas.  

With a growing team of 50 people across the country, Vaulted signed a $58.3 million offtake agreement with Frontier, and completed a $32 million Series A round in 2024. Vaulted's proprietary technology builds on decades of expertise to deliver safe, durable carbon and waste management solutions, now, at scale. 

About the Role  

As Head of Communications & Government Affairs, this role serves as Vaulted’s chief architect of external engagement—integrating strategic communications, community engagement, and policy to drive a cohesive and influential public presence. By aligning regulatory advocacy with compelling storytelling, this position not only protects our ability to operate but also shapes emerging sustainability policies and cements Vaulted as the premier partner for waste suppliers, corporations, and regulators seeking scalable carbon removal and waste management solutions. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):  

• External Communications: Build and drive Vaulted’s external strategic communications function. Build off Vaulted’s first year of operations, delivery, and key announcements. Evolve the company’s complex story and strategy in a way that will expand brand awareness and audience reach. This includes media and public relations, strategic messaging, thought leadership, brand positioning, digital and paid media. Manage Vaulted’s external PR firm.  
• Government Affairs: lead Vaulted’s policy and government relations work. Manage external lobbying firms, interfacing with policymakers across federal, state, and county levels to manage critical projects, initiatives, and policy communications. 
• Community Engagement Collaboration: partner closely with our Community Engagement Lead to ensure that (current and future) site projects, developments, and stakeholder relations align with Vaulted’s communications and marketing strategy.   
• Internal Communications: Work closely across the organization to understand the company’s growth and impact strategy to help inform internal communications strategy and approaches. Assist executive leadership in driving internal communications and share important company-wide messages.  

What You Will Bring   

To succeed in this role, and to help Vaulted to succeed in our mission, the Head of Communications and Government Affairs must possess strong internal and external communication skills, government affairs knowledge, and experience collaborating across multiple stakeholders to strengthen Vaulted’s presence in the durable carbon and waste management industries. They must also thrive in a fast-paced startup environment with a growing team of ever-changing needs. In addition, we seek a candidate with:    

• >10 years of communications experience working with complex media narratives and communications strategies, as well as familiarity working directly with media and PR agencies.  
• >3+ years of government relations and/or public policy experience. Experience working with policymakers and/or lobbying firms.  
• Background in environmental, climate, clean energy, science, or clean tech marketing and/or communications.  
• Building and maintaining a broad network of media outlets and journalists across industries, including carbon removal and waste management, plus local, state, and federal governments. 
• Strong and creative writing / storytelling abilities to craft messaging that reaches core audiences. Experience articulating complex information concisely for general audiences while owning audience-specific strategic messaging.  
• Brand development capabilities with a bias toward scrappiness, urgency, creativity and forward thinking. Experience driving leadership, events (internal and external) and speaker placements. 
• A thirst for information, especially in sustainability, CDR, waste management, pollution, and other Vaulted-associated news.   
• Demonstrated social media management fluency on a variety of platforms (LinkedIn, X, Instagram, etc.) and an ability to increase Vaulted’s social media presence.   
• Strong internal collaboration, communication and analytical skills, with the ability to effectively influence and communicate cross-functionally. This role requires regular (and frequent) collaboration across the leadership team and company.  
• High level of adaptability, accountability and comfort rolling up sleeves to lead, build key infrastructure, and complete fast-paced projects.  
• Passion for and commitment to sustainability and the work of climate change mitigation. Knowledge of carbon removal is helpful, but not necessary.   

Vaulted offers a hybrid workplace. This role is targeting work at our office in San Francisco, CA or headquarters in Houston, TX. Open to remote candidates. We aim to be in the office 2-3 days per week.