Policy Principal – Central

Policy Principal – Central

Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. We work to accelerate the move to 100% clean energy and electrified transportation in the U.S. AEE is the only industry association in the U.S. that represents the full range of advanced energy technologies and services, both grid-scale and distributed. Advanced energy includes energy efficiency, demand response, energy storage, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and more. AEE represents more than 100 companies in the advanced energy industry, which employs 3.2 million U.S. workers. 

AEE’s mission is transforming public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. We educate, engage, and advocate in states, in wholesale electricity markets, and at the federal level for executive actions, legislation, and regulations that speed the energy transition and expand the size and value of markets for advanced energy products and services. 

Position Description

AEE seeks a smart, innovative Principal to join AEE’s policy and campaign team in midwestern states. The Principal will work with AEE team members to develop and implement multi-year strategies and campaigns designed to achieve policy successes at the state level that will accelerate the energy transition while expanding markets for the advanced energy industry. The Policy Principal will work on crafting and executing policy campaigns to enact pro-advanced energy legislation and implementing regulation in states, defending existing advanced energy policies, and educating key decision makers. The Principal will serve as the state lead for AEE’s work in Illinois, and one other state in the region.

AEE is seeking a highly energetic and self-starting professional with a background in issue advocacy or organizing at the state or federal level and some knowledge of energy markets and advanced energy technologies. The Principal will work collaboratively as part of project teams under the direction of Policy Directors and with other team members across the organization. The Principal will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to advance AEE’s policy agenda in priority states. Candidates should be creative and flexible, with the ability to work on multiple projects as needed to support AEE’s work in a variety of areas. Candidates will need to have the ability to travel to meet with AEE members, coalition allies and stakeholders, and public officials. 

Key Skills for Success

A Mind for Policy: Market opportunities for the advanced energy industry are driven by policy. The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes. Experience in energy policy is a bonus but not completely necessary.

Be Small “p” Political: Recognizing opportunity, understanding power dynamics and building coalitions to seize policy opportunities is a key to success for creating a policy environment that allows advanced energy to thrive. The ideal candidate doesn’t need to have a background in politics but does need to know how it works and be willing to insert the industry into the politics of the policy-making process.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with AEE professional services team members on developing and implementing strategies to accelerate achievement of 100% clean energy and meet short and long-term policy objectives in key states as part of AEE’s policy portfolio. These could be legislative, administrative, or regulatory, or a mix of all three.
• Work with AEE members to develop policy positions and reach consensus on policy positions in key states and on key issues.  
• Organize member engagement opportunities through direct decision maker engagement including lobby days and candidate education, earned media, and expert testimony; and participate in legislative, rule-making, and administrative processes, as needed.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with coalition partners, allies, and key legislative and administrative staff. Engage in coordination and advocacy efforts with coalition allies in support of clean energy goals
• Draft comments and create reports, presentations, fact sheets, and other written and visual materials needed for education and advocacy efforts, and deliver verbal presentations as necessary. 
• Work with AEE’s communications team to identify opportunities for AEE to seek earned media coverage, including earned media, op-eds, editorial board meetings, etc., in key media outlets. Draft press statements, write blog posts, participate in webinars, and create opportunities to showcase advanced energy.
• Travel on an as needed basis (up to 30%) to targeted states for advocacy days, meetings with key allies and stakeholders, communications outreach, and other efforts on behalf of AEE.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; Master’s Degree is a plus.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in legislative policy development or organizing in the energy or advocacy sector
• Ideally, an interest in energy issues and an understanding for the importance of policy advocacy to advance an organizational agenda
• Entrepreneurial approach, flexible attitude, and ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, both written and verbal
• Intellectual curiosity, inquisitive nature, and excellent listening and problem-solving skills
• Experience in advancing a policy agenda and/or working with business leaders is a plus. 
• Must be willing to travel

Special Application Instructions

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter expressing why this position and organization interest you, as well as a current resume.

Job type: Full-time, remote

Location: Midwest states location, with Illinois location preferred

Start Date: July 15, 2022 (specific start date flexible)

Salary: Starting at $75,000 

Advanced Energy Economy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. We are committed to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across our organization (“DEIJ”). We also incorporate these values into our mission of making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. We know that varied perspectives and a commitment to social justice are needed to succeed in making the United States an advanced energy economy. We commit to building and supporting an inclusive workforce that represents different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints.