Executive Director

Transportation Energy Partners – Executive Director (Contractor Opportunity)

About TEP

Transportation Energy Partners (TEP) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization thatserves as the national voice of the Clean Cities Coalition network — a DOE-supported network of nearly 100 locally-led coalitions working to advance alternative transportation fuels, related infrastructure, and advanced vehicle technologies across the United States.

TEP supports its member coalitions through federal advocacy, stakeholder engagement, education,outreach, deployment support, and other programming. TEP’s policy agenda is set by its Board of Directors and member coalitions; the Executive Director implements that agenda and builds the organizational capacity to advance it.

The Opportunity

TEP is seeking an experienced, entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead the organization on anindependent contractor basis. A talented Executive Director will have the opportunity to grow TEP’s impact across multiple dimensions: deepening federal relationships, activating the national Clean Cities network, developing event and educational programming, pursuing new funding partnerships, and helping member coalitions access national-level project opportunities and stakeholder relationships.

TEP member coalitions represent a diverse range of local and regional stakeholders — fleet operators, utilities, municipalities, universities, and state agencies — who rely on TEP to connect their local priorities to national policy and funding opportunities. The Executive Director will serve as the connective tissue between TEP’s membership and the federal, philanthropic, and private-sector landscape.

Contract Terms

• Contract Type: Independent contractor (no employee benefits)
• Term: One (1) year
• Compensation: Up to $120,000 per year
• Location: Flexible/remote; Washington, D.C.-area experience strongly preferred
• Payment: Monthly, upon Board approval of a monthly invoice documenting activities and deliverables completed
• Target Start Date: June 1, 2026 (flexible)

Core Responsibilities

The Executive Director will be responsible for leading TEP’s work across five core areas:

National Network Activation & Coalition Support

• Serve as TEP’s primary liaison to its member Clean Cities Coalitions, maintaining active and responsive communication
• Coordinate regular member calls, webinars, or briefings and produce content — briefings, factsheets, reports, and presentations — that serves member coalition needs
• Identify and pursue partnership opportunities with national transportation, energy, climate, and infrastructure stakeholders
• Support member coalitions in accessing national-level project opportunities, funding sources, and partnerships beyond TEP’s direct lobbying work
• Maintain clear programmatic separation between lobbying and non-lobbying activities, enablingcoalitions with restricted or segregated funding to contribute to and benefit from TEP’s non-lobbying programming

Event Programming

• Plan and execute TEP’s annual DC Fly-in or equivalent congressional engagement event,including logistics, congressional scheduling, agenda development, and coalition coordination
• Develop additional programming — webinars, roundtables, and coalition-hosted or co-branded events — to serve member needs throughout the year
• Identify opportunities for TEP co-branded programming with partner organizations and national stakeholders

Fundraising & Organizational Management

• Develop and steward relationships with TEP’s existing funders and pursue new funding sourcesincluding foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and project-based revenue
• Present a fundraising pipeline update to the Board at each monthly check-in
• Maintain TEP’s 501(c)(3) compliance, including required filings, records management, and conflict of interest compliance
• Manage TEP’s day-to-day operations: contracts, vendor relationships, financial reporting, and administrative coordination
• Prepare Board meeting materials, minutes, and action item follow-up; support Board governance processes

Promote Alternative Transportation Fuels, Infrastructure, and Advanced Vehicle Technology Deployment

• Serve as a knowledgeable advocate and communicator for alternative fuels, clean vehicletechnologies, and related infrastructure, helping member coalitions and external audiences understand the landscape of available technologies and their local applicability
• Develop and disseminate educational resources — fact sheets, talking points, technology briefs, and case studies — that support member coalitions in engaging their local stakeholders, fleets, and policymakers
• Identify and elevate success stories and best practices from across the Clean Cities network to showcase the real-world impact of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle deployment
• Connect member coalitions, industry partners, and other stakeholders to support technology deployment efforts, including identifying and supporting applications for funding from public and private sources
• Support outreach to fleets, municipalities, and other local decision-makers who are considering or transitioning to alternative fuels or advanced vehicle technologies

Federal Advocacy & Government Relations

• Maintain and grow relationships with congressional offices, federal agencies, and administration officials relevant to clean transportation, alternative fuels, and energy policy
• Track federal legislation, appropriations, and regulatory developments affecting member coalitions; produce monthly policy updates for the Board and member coalitions
• Coordinate with the TEP Board on policy priorities, messaging, and advocacy strategy; ensurethe Board and member coalitions direct TEP’s policy agenda
• Represent TEP in meetings with federal stakeholders and at relevant industry events
• Identify opportunities for TEP or its member coalitions to engage in federal grant programs, pilot projects, or technical assistance initiatives

Qualifications: Required

• Demonstrated experience in federal advocacy, government relations, or policy in transportation, energy, clean vehicles, or a closely related sector
• Track record of managing or supporting coalition or membership organizations
• Experience with nonprofit fundraising and revenue development
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities across a complex stakeholder landscape
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with 501(c)(3) compliance and nonprofit governance

Qualifications: Preferred

• Direct experience in or with the Clean Cities Coalition network or Department of Energy programs
• Established relationships on Capitol Hill and/or with relevant federal agencies (DOE, DOT, EPA)
• Experience planning and executing DC fly-ins, stakeholder fly-ins, or legislative engagement events
• Background in bipartisan advocacy and the ability to work effectively across party lines
• Familiarity with alternative fuels, electric vehicles, infrastructure, or clean freight

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following to michael@alabamacleanfuels.org with the subject line “TEP Executive Director – [Your Name]”:

• A current resume or CV
• A cover letter (no longer than two pages) describing your relevant experience, your approach toeach of the five core areas of responsibility, and why you are interested in leading TEP at this stage of the organization’s growth
• Two to three professional references (name, title, organization, email, and phone number) — references will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. TEP hopes to have the selected candidate in place by June 1, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

TEP is an equal opportunity organization and encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.