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EDF Smart Power
Electric utilities are poised to invest up to $2 trillion in infrastructure over the next two decades to modernize our aging, inefficient energy infrastructure, creating a once-in-a-century opportunity to revolutionize how we generate, distribute and use electricity. These choices will be influenced by stricter Clean Air Act standards and the availability of low-cost natural gas, two factors that have combined to create a rare moment of dynamism in the power sector. Environmental Defense Fund’s Smart Power experts are working with state Public Utility Commissions, utilities, policymakers and other key stakeholders to seize this opportunity to modernize our antiquated electricity grid and spur investments in and break down the regulatory and financial barriers to broad-scale adoption of renewable energy, energy efficiency and other innovative ways to generate and use energy. These approaches can answer the need for power, spur economic development, lesson our carbon footprint and help America gain a global leadership position in the multi-trillion dollar clean energy economy.
Overall Function
The Environmental Defense Fund is not alone in seeking to maximize clean energy advances. Utilities, academics, other NGOs, think tanks, trade associations, clean tech industry members, municipal utilities, co-ops, federal agencies, and many others are working on various initiatives that could support or complement EDF’s work. EDF is currently seeking a Director, Smart Power Collaboration for our US Climate and Energy’s Smart Power Initiative who will be responsible for identifying potential partners, nurturing shared dialogue, developing opportunities to leverage our common work and implementing tactical joint efforts such that the impact of our combined efforts exceeds the sum of our individual contributions. Smart Power Collaborations will be developed particularly in areas related to Smart Power policy options designed to:
- Align the incentives for utilities, new market entrants, and customers in ways that reward investments in clean energy;
- Ensure that the market values clean resources fairly;
- Improve clean technology companies’ and customers’ access to consumer data, consumers and the grid;
- Advance new clean energy financing mechanisms such as on-bill repayment and “green banks;” and
- Optimize electric grid efficiency by upgrading hardware and software – e.g. through voltage optimization, reduction in line loss, and increased resiliency.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and manage initiatives, budget, staff and consultants to accelerate innovation and Smart Power policy adoption nationally
- Combine in-depth comprehension of the EDF Smart Power Initiatives with substantial knowledge of work underway within potential partner organizations to develop strategies for advancing EDF’s Smart Power policy goals through the actions of potential partners.
- Conduct necessary decision-maker/stakeholder mapping to identify potential partners for advancing Smart Power goals.
- Build and nurture relationships with identified potential partners.
- Manage a portfolio in the range of $2 million dollars for support of partners’ efforts; including but not limited to identifying appropriate “pass-through” organizations, negotiating partnership agreements, monitoring compliance and evaluating outcomes.
- Develop joint advocacy agreements with external partners who do not receive “pass-through” financial support but who are strategically aligned with EDF. Build and lead a Smart Power Stakeholder Coalition to include environmental NGOs, utility partners, high-tech innovators, university partners and other thought leaders to develop a shared set of principles for state and federal regulatory reform, encourage smart power rulemakings across the country, and develop new business models for utilities that reflect the changing energy landscape.
- Lead Smart Power Initiative efforts to convene substantive dialogues to exchange information on Smart Power goals and policy options and to advance collaborative efforts. Dialogues would include thought leaders, policymakers, regulators and other public officials.
- Manage relationships between key internal EDF resources, including but not limited to: Communications, California Climate, Climate Corps, Federal Advocacy, Corporate Engagement, and Natural Gas, in order to advance Smart Power policies and goals.
- Manage a team of staff and consultants to achieve all of the above
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in business administration, environmental studies, public administration, politics or economics required;
- PhD. Desired;
- Experience working for government or advocating for policy with government;
- Experience managing a budget in excess of $1 million dollars
- Experience supervising a staff of 12 or more
- Experience convening stakeholders to develop consensus driven work product
- Extensive network of established contacts within the Smart Power field desired;
- Collaborative communicator with extraordinary diplomatic skill;.
- Working knowledge of the theory and practice of environmental management, and the private sector implications of environmental issues;
- An understanding of the basic statutory and regulatory structure in the US, climate and energy policy;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience;
- Strong analytical skills and experience performing rigorous analysis in support of highly visible work;
- Recognized thought leader capable of convening other thought leaders;
- Exceptional personal organization and attention to detail; and
- An ability to exercise independent judgment and work as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment.
Note: This position requires 50% travel.
Location
Location Flexible: San Francisco, CA, Austin, TX, New York, NY, Boston, MA, Washington, D.C or Raleigh, NC
Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate.
Environmental Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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