With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programs from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
EDF’s Clean Energy Program is transforming the U.S. electricity system by rewriting outdated regulations, spurring energy services markets, and modernizing our century-old electric grid from a system of centralized, fossil fuel power plants to an intelligent, connected network that smoothly integrates clean energy resources. We are fostering a smart grid that empowers customers to lower their utility bills by expanding choices for more resilient, efficient, and cleaner electricity.
EDF is accomplishing this by:
- Spurring a paradigm shift in the electric utility industry by advocating for new utility business models and regulatory approaches that base utility earnings on performance rather than investments in new infrastructure and align monopoly utility interests with enabling clean energy services instead of simply delivering electricity;
- Optimizing the electric grid’s performance by driving investments in high-performing, efficient and intelligent equipment and operations and letting customers choose when they use electricity based on cost through demand response and time-variant pricing;
- Promoting competition by fairly valuing clean energy through solid economic analysis to support accurate electricity price signals for energy efficiency and clean energy as well as ensuring customers have timely access to their energy usage data in order to respond to those signals; and
- Unleashing the potential of private capital by introducing new financial products and new protocols that reduce clean energy transaction costs and help avoid the high upfront costs of energy improvements.
OVERALL FUNCTION
The Director, Southeast Clean Energy, will develop and drive a comprehensive state strategy and work plan to transform the energy sector in North Carolina and identify and develop strategies for creating and leveraging new opportunities in other southeastern states. S/he will lead a dedicated team of staff and consultants, engage thought-leaders and decision makers, identify partnership opportunities with grasstop and grassroots groups, deploy communications techniques, scout potential fundraising opportunities, and seek policy and political synergies in order to achieve the objectives of the state plan. This position will report to the Associate Vice President for Clean Energy and EDF’s Southeast Regional Director. Working closely with other senior members of the Clean Energy team, s/he will shape and advance the program’s priorities for maintaining and strengthening clean energy leadership in the Southeastern US.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide leadership, management, and strategic direction to the Southeast Clean Energy Program team.
- Build program visibility among key stakeholder groups and impact in the state through leveraged partnerships and network expansion.
- Ensure that the goals and workplans for the Southeast Clean Energy team are appropriately integrated with those of the Southeast Regional Director and the EDF National Field Team.
- Enhance communication, coordination, efficiency, and accountability, and leverage the strengths and experience of staff and consultants in the region.
- Supervise Program operations; review and update budget and strategic planning documents and work plans for all major program initiatives in the region; and, in cooperation with relevant national staff, develop and execute political, partnership, and communications campaigns for the region.
- Analyze existing programs and find ways to implement transformational, durable solutions and create ways to measure successes.
- Create relationships and forge alliances among disparate interest groups in the Region.
- Help to build regional coalitions with key stakeholder communities, public and private.
- Engage the media to advance project objectives and communicate project results to a broad array of audiences.
- Direct the team’s work with internal and external colleagues and engage academic scientists, policy experts, and others to solve complex energy management problems.
- Represent the Program at regional meetings as needed.
- Work with Program leadership and development officers to identify potential funding sources to secure the long-term success of the program. Review, craft and/or manage the programmatic contribution to funding proposals and reports.
- Prepare and supervise the annual budget for program operations and activities in the state and region. Engage directly with foundation officers and individual donors’ supporting the team’s work, and coordinate with development staff to report to them as required.
- Serve as a mentor for junior staff and identify opportunities for professional growth and development.
QUALIFICATIONS
- At least 10-12 years of direct program experience and an advanced degree in law, science, policy or other related field preferred
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage programs and staff
- Ability to use science, law, economics and advocacy to initiate and win positive environmental change
- Experience achieving results in policy and politics
- Knowledge of state and local energy and environmental laws and regulations
- Experience and relationships in the region with state and federal energy and environmental agencies, state and local regulatory bodies, state legislatures and governor’s offices
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to work constructively with nonprofit colleagues and partners, scientists, economists, industry, regulators and public policy decision makers
- Ability to travel regionally
LOCATION
This position is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
COMPENSATION
Competitive based on experience
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
