Manager, Energy Policy [COVER LETTER REQUIRED]

Join us for a fulfilling career that offers remote work flexibility with the choice to work in Washington, D.C. Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• Health, dental, vision, HRA
• Short & long-term disability, life insurance
• Mental/physical/ergonomic reimbursements
• Cell phone and internet support
• Professional development funding
• 24 PTO days + 12 holidays + a Winter Holiday Break
• Retirement plans + employer contributions

Organization 

The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) helps all electric power stakeholders accelerate the transformation to a carbon-free electricity system. SEPA concentrates our focus on the following areas to maximize impact: Transportation, Storage, Resilience, Emerging Technology, and Policy.

SEPA delivers value to our members through research, education, events, working groups, peer engagements, and member projects. We facilitate collaboration, develop innovative strategies and guidance for regulatory and business innovation, and provide actionable solutions for our members and partner organizations. For more information, visit www.sepapower.org. 

Position

The Policy Manager is an integral member of the Policy Research & Industry Strategy team which ensures that SEPA members have access to the data, research, insight, and facilitation necessary to support the electric power industry’s smart transition to a clean and modern grid. The Manager, Energy Policy will be responsible for developing clean energy policy research content, analyzing energy policy issues across the nation, speaking at industry conferences, collaborating and convening stakeholder engagement, and helping to lead client projects – to support SEPA’s mission in the Policy focus area and help deliver SEPA’s value proposition. This position will provide the incumbent the opportunity to expand existing subject matter expertise and build a reputation across the electric industry commensurate with that expertise.  Additionally, this position may require supervision and mentoring of junior staff members.

The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $105,000 with the target being around $95,000 based on experience.

Public Policy - Energy

• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and activities. 
• Research, analyze, and develop policy briefs and recommendations based on current trends, data, and stakeholder input.
• Support the development and implementation of policies that support a carbon-free energy system that is safe, affordable, reliable, resilient, and equitable.
• Prepare reports, briefings, and presentations to communicate policy highlights effectively to diverse audiences, ensuring 
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with policymakers and key decision-makers.
• Support SEPA’s annual and strategic planning activities.

Research and Analysis

• Leads policy research and client projects, as assigned, with support from junior staff and input from internal and external project stakeholders.
• Advise internal colleagues and teams on energy policy matters to help guide the development of research publications, stakeholder engagement, and other collaborative efforts.
• Defines project scope, resource requirements, and deliverables in coordination with marketing & communications departments.
• Ensures accuracy and high quality of data and writing represented in each deliverable.
• Manages development process flow including internal and external review cycles, layout, design, and product release.
• Manage a matrixed team and provide support and mentoring of junior staff, as needed
• Authors, co-authors, and support various policy publications or policy-related deliverables based on key findings from primary research with attention to detail.

Communicate Research Findings 

• Presents research findings at SEPA conferences and external events.
• Converts research content into various formats working with SEPA’s marketing and communications teams based on target audience and delivery channel.  This may include webinars, podcasts, SEPA conference sessions, blogs, infographics, slide decks, industry articles, or other formats as requested.
• Works with SEPA’s marketing and communications teams to publicize research externally through social media channels.

Member Support

• Provides member support in the form of responding to requests for in-person presentations, workshops, facilitation services, and member-sponsored research or advisory services.
• Serves as project lead for industry convenings and special projects and initiatives as assigned
• Provides support and staff leadership to working groups as assigned on topics relevant to expertise.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Four to seven years of combined experience in the electricity industry, energy policy, utility business models, electric utility, renewable/distributed/new and emerging technologies, regulation, or electric industry consulting. 
• Knowledge of electric utility, decarbonization, state-level policies & regulations, renewable energy, and/or distributed energy resource industries, particularly in solar, storage, demand response, grid modernization, and/or electric vehicles.
• Superior project management skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts and challenges into more fundamental and actionable components.
• Experience as an author and presenter on utility and/or renewable energy topics.

Attributes

• Skilled project manager. You show grace under pressure and excel at managing budgets and timelines. You juggle multiple projects and tasks with ease and composure. You are organized, demonstrate superb time management, know how to effectively prioritize work, and wisely allocate and optimize resources
• Forward thinking. You have the technical aptitude and industry experience to notice changes in the external landscape, understand the relevance of emerging technologies, and help SEPA members bridge the gap between current needs and future directions—creating value and minimizing risk. You are comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty, knowing when to gather more information and when to take committed action. You are strategically flexible, adapting quickly to changing priorities, and effective in a fast-paced environment.
• Skilled communicator. Your communication is clear and direct. You easily adjust your message to your audience and have exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills. You add value by making connections between people and ideas, understanding, documenting, distilling, and synthesizing key points.    
• Deft political style. You are an adept consensus builder who excels at convening groups of people to reduce barriers. You work effectively with a multitude of stakeholders, volunteers, colleagues, and others, building relationships at all career levels. Your diplomacy enables you to de-escalate emotions while driving projects forward. 
• Exceptional Problem-Solving Skills. You are self-reliant and flexible in your thinking. You evaluate issues from many angles and are creative at finding solutions to complex, multi-dimensional problems. 
• Strong attention to detail. You take responsibility for every element of your work, honoring your deadlines, and understanding the vital importance of delivering high-quality work on time.     
• Proactive and self-motivated. You think ahead and anticipate challenges, taking the initiative to drive projects forward, and leading projects with minimal supervision. You work effectively on a team and independently and find the resources you need to get the job done.

What’s Attractive to the Right Candidate?

• Your work will help accelerate our nation’s transformation to a carbon-free electricity system.
• You will enjoy working in a collaborative and highly supportive work environment with a great team of trustworthy and approachable colleagues. You will experience a culture driven by these organizational behaviors:
  • Adaptability - Be flexible and capable of change to achieve maximum impact.
  • Innovation - Drive new understanding & methods to grow ambitiously as an organization and as individuals.
  • Comradery - Work hard and have fun.
  • Humility - Start with questions, rather than answers.  Explore all sides of an issue.
  • Ownership - Think and act like owners of SEPA. Hold ourselves and each other accountable for our shared success.
  • Transparency - Communicate honestly, frequently, and openly.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

SEPA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment is based on personal capabilities and qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected class as established by applicable law.

ADA Requirements and Disclaimer 

This position description generally indicates the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act expected of an incumbent. This role requires the ability to use standard office equipment and learn new software applications as necessary. This is a largely sedentary role; however, some traveling may be required. This position description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of an incumbent.  An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.