Clean Grid Alliance’s mission is to advance renewable energy in the Midwest.
Clean Grid Alliance seeks a Vice President, Advocacy to lead the state policy arm of Clean Grid. Reporting to the Executive Director, the VP oversees, identifies, and implements policy work at the state, regional, and local levels, working closely with Regional Policy Directors, contracted organizations and consultants, Clean Grid members, and the Executive Director. In partnership with the Executive Director, the VP will also help grow the organization’s capabilities and membership across its footprint and ever-expanding areas of clean energy expertise.
The VP leads a team that includes two Regional Policy Directors (Eastern and Western states), the Manager, Membership & Operations, a Policy Associate, and multiple consultants hired for specific state initiatives.
Strategy & Priorities
- Set legislative priorities with members and develop a comprehensive, longer-term renewable energy policy strategy that translates emerging trends into actionable policy; help shape Clean Grid’s overall strategy.
- Prepare and manage, with the Executive Director, a budget that supports legislative priorities, pivoting as needed.
- Collaborate with other Clean Grid teams to achieve maximum organizational effectiveness for members.
Team & Coalition Leadership
- Directly and indirectly manage the Eastern and Western Regional Policy Directors, supporting their workload and potentially leading in one or two Clean Grid states.
- With Regional Policy Directors, determine when a lobbyist is needed and coordinate lobbying efforts among interested members in each state.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Washington, DC-based trade organizations such as the American Clean Power Association (ACPA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
Member & Stakeholder Engagement
- Confer with members on policy changes and support for state and local initiatives; participate in or lead state work group calls to gather and coordinate member input.
- Deliver written and oral presentations to collaborators, policymakers, and other stakeholders as part of outreach and advocacy.
- Partner with the Executive Director and development staff on fund development and relationship building.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a seasoned energy policy and strategic thought leader who can set an aggressive but doable policy and legislative agenda and deliver on it. They take a broad view of policy, spot trends and turn them into action, and know when to build consensus and when to lead. A self-starter who works independently, they also like to “bring people along.”
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (Master’s or JD preferred) and 15+ years in government relations or policy work in energy or related fields.
- Demonstrated track record of setting an ambitious policy agenda and implementing it successfully.
- Experience engaging, influencing, and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders across different interests.
- Ability to build strategic coalitions to advance energy policy with decision-makers.
- Ability to reconcile challenging and diverse viewpoints among nonprofits, for-profit renewable energy companies, Clean Grid members, and other partners.
- Experience presenting before regulators, policymakers, utilities, and other key stakeholders.
- Ability to juggle multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment while applying sound judgment.
- Works effectively as part of a team or coalition, perceiving when to build consensus and when to lead.
- Rigorous information gathering, with the ability to compile findings into easily digested, compelling formats.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to travel as required.
Location: The preferred location for the position is in the Midwest; ideally in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – Chicago, IL – Des Moines, IA – Indianapolis, IN – Remote position.
See the position description for a comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities and qualifications for the role.
DRiWaterstone is proud to lead this search on behalf of the Clean Grid Alliance.
