Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is seeking an experienced leader to oversee and advance the progress of our Clean Energy Program. The Clean Energy Program Director will be a senior‐level position responsible for leading WRA’s work to address climate change and accelerate the transition to clean energy in the in the Western United States. Directly supervising three Deputy Directors and collectively managing a team of over 30 people, the Clean Energy Program Director will lead the development of program goals and strategies, ensure that those strategies are implemented and the goals are achieved. The Clean Energy Program Director will develop, maintain and strengthen relationships with decision makers, partners and funders and communicates program objectives to these key audiences. Working with other senior organization leaders, the Clean Energy Program Director will help ensure that the program has the resources needed to carry out its work, and help cultivate an inclusive climate that promotes excellence and an engaging and supportive organizational culture. The Clean Energy Program Director will be a member of Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

About Western Resource Advocates

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decisionmakers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Location

This position has the option to work remotely anywhere within our seven-state region, or from one of WRA’s six offices; or a hybrid of the two. Our seven-state region includes Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. WRA has offices located in Boulder, CO; Carson City, NV; Denver, CO; Phoenix, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; and Santa Fe, NM.

Responsibilities And Activities

CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Working with the President and VP of Policy and Programs establish high level goals and strategies to advance WRA’s vision of western economy powered by 100% carbon‐free energy.
• Supervise program staff providing direction, guidance, and support to ensure a highly functioning team.
• Ensure that the program is meeting its goals and objectives and that the program’s work is aligned and coordinated across the region.
• Guide the development of team members to ensure they have the training, mentoring, resources, feedback, and support to maximize their performance and skills development.
• Provide team members with consistent and ongoing performance feedback, both positive and constructive, and acts as a coach and mentor. Ensure that direct reports are properly executing their supervisory responsibilities.
• Work with the VP of Policy and Programs, VP of Finance and Administration, and Program Directors to develop and manage the annual Clean Energy Program budget.
• Help foster a work environment that aligns with WRA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and help ensure the advancement of such goals.
• Work with the senior organization leaders to ensure that clean energy program’s work is aligned, complementary and coordinated with other programmatic work within WRA, and with the work of our communications, government affairs teams and development teams.
• Working with the Human Resources Team, help recruit and hire qualified candidates to support and grow highly effective program teams.

EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

• Develop, maintain and strengthens relationships with clean energy policy makers and leaders at state agencies, utilities, and other energy stakeholders.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen relationships with other NGOs working on climate and clean energy policy in the region.
• Effectively communicate the objectives of the program to decision makers, partners and funders.

FUNDRAISING/DEVELOPMENT

• Working with the Development Team, lead the Clean Energy Program’s grant proposal and report development.
• Working with other senior leaders in the organization, develop plans, materials and communication strategies that clearly and compellingly describe the Clean Energy Program’s accomplishments, goals, strategies and proposed work to foundations and other donor audiences in way that helps secure growing financial support for our work.
• In coordination with the Development Team, build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with major funders and prospects.

TRAVEL

• Occasional travel to meetings and events, generally within the Interior West.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, law, engineering or related field.
• Proven leadership experience in the fields of climate change and/or clean energy policy with progressive levels of responsibility.
• Expert level policy creation with proven record of advocacy leading to clean energy policy adoption by state legislatures, regulatory bodies, and executive action.
• Track record of successfully supervising multiple direct reports and teams with a mix of experience levels – from entry level staff to senior level professionals and experts, with an emphasis on mentoring and developing staff.
• Extensive knowledge of energy and climate policy and of the electric utility sector.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships and successfully engage in coalition to drive clean energy and advocacy objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to build and work with conservation coalition partners to achieve environmental and conservation objectives.
• Intellectual curiosity, coupled with an innovative and entrepreneurial drive; comfortable with change and ambiguity as well as possessing a strong bias for action.
• Commitment to WRA’s DEI goals, and embedding equity and justice into WRA’s policy advocacy.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some travel is required.

Salary And Benefits

The salary range is $125,000-$165,000 annually; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive three weeks paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, one paid birthday off, 12 paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. After one-year employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave with the first six weeks paid, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is full-time exempt.

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled With Priority Review Beginning On Tuesday, February 21, 2023