Director, Policy

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT:

Elevate is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Chicago. We design and implement programs that reduce costs, protect people and the environment, and ensure the benefits of clean and efficient energy reach those who need them most. We're pursuing our mission of a just and equitable world where everyone has affordable heat, power, and water in their homes and communities. We are growing nationally – expanding the reach of our programs, services, and research in collaboration with partner organizations.

OUR PEOPLE AND CULTURE:

At Elevate, our organization's greatest asset is the people we attract. Elevate employees co-create our energetic and collaborative environment, where constant learning and service to others take priority. We want our team to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of innovation. We seek dynamic, hardworking individuals inspired to work with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Every day we make a difference by placing our team, clients, and community partners first. From our mission to our focus on staff well-being and career development opportunities, there's no better place to grow your career than Elevate.

Director, Policy

The Director, Policy supports Elevate’s mission by ensuring its programs are well-adapted to the policy environment and bringing Elevate’s practical expertise to policy discussions. The Director of Policy develops policy initiatives and advocacy efforts at state and local levels and supports furthering policies at the federal level to support Elevate’s mission. The Director, Policy is responsive to environmental justice issues and communities. The Director, Policy presents, updates, and communicates to all Elevate staff on relevant policy initiatives. The position represents Elevate in key working groups, advisory groups, and relevant policy forums.

The Director, Policy reports to the Sr. Director, Policy. The position is located in Illinois and is currently remote.

Responsibilities

• Manage clean energy, state-centered energy and water policy activities in coordination with relevant program teams, policy staff, community partners, and public and elected offices.
• Inform program teams of changes to regulatory and legislative requirements for compliance purposes.
• Represent Elevate at external policy forums, including in-person meetings, conference calls, and events.
• Develop, support, and maintain relationships with policymakers, external stakeholders, and internal customers.
• Lead and collaborate within the policy team and across the organization on the development of Elevate’s policy positions.
• Serve as an energy policy expert, providing expert opinions as required, and collaborate with Elevate’s water policy and program staff to ensure effective water policy support and representation.
• Research policy and industry conditions related to Elevate’s mission.
• Draft fact sheets, comments, testimony, and other materials to educate policymakers and stakeholders on Elevate’s positions.
• Collaborate with the communications team, policy team, programs, and national strategy teams to document policy wins and develop/support the development of stories, case studies, blogs, etc.
• Lead and/or support the development of policy-related content for convenings, trainings, webinars, and other convening, networking, and sharing opportunities.
• Effectively communicate Elevate’s mission and policy positions within and outside Elevate.
• Draft grant proposals and reports, board reports, presentations, and other deliverables.
• Manage interns.
• Disseminate policy information internally to Elevate staff.
• Manage travel, expense reports, timesheets, and other administrative needs following Elevate processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area, master’s preferred, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of seven (7 ) years of experience in policy-related positions with two – four (2-4) years in recent roles with a clean energy or climate-related focus.
• Deep commitment to communities that have been historically disinvested and environmental justice communities.
• Familiarity with the workings of state, local, and federal government
• Demonstrated persistence, initiative, and creativity
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team and with people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and political viewpoints
• Excellent interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Willingness to travel, including occasional overnight business travel, and attendance at meetings and events that occur outside of daytime working hours

Compensation

The total compensation for this position includes health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.), defined contribution benefit (401k with contribution), professional development, generous paid time off policies, and a flexible schedule. This is an exempt individual contributor position with a salary range of $110,000 – $125,000, based on experience.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Elevate is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, termination, promotion, transfer, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.