Associate Director for Clean Energy

FAS is seeking to hire a seasoned professional to help to lead our dynamic and growing clean energy portfolio. Since 2020, FAS has supported the advancement of climate and clean energy policy, working hand in hand with policymakers from across the federal government to develop and support policies and programs aimed at accelerating a just clean energy transition across the United States. In this historic moment of investment, FAS is well positioned to continue to evolve and design innovative programming and policies to support the transition to a clean energy future. We seek an entrepreneurial, resourceful, clean energy and climate enthusiast to join our ranks to support and lead this exciting portfolio. 

What you’ll do (core responsibilities)

1. Oversee the management of FAS clean energy activities: oversee the FAS’ clean energy portfolio including directing individuals and teams in the design, development and delivery of clean energy policy, programming and fellowships.
2. Lead and grow strategic initiatives to advance and grow FAS’ clean energy portfolio: support the development and execution of strategies to grow the FAS clean energy portfolio including engaging with policymakers to identify opportunities, building and executing on fundraising, and converting emergent opportunities to advance FAS impact into new programs and policy wins. 
3. Serve as FAS subject matter expert on clean energy: Provide FAS and federal partners with subject matter expertise to inform strategic opportunities to drive progress on clean energy policy and initiatives across FAS including fellowship placements, policy development and design, strategic communications, and other emergent areas as needed based on FAS’ mission and goals. 
4. Develop policy ideas and support implementation with key federal partners: engage with policymakers from across the federal energy ecosystem to identify opportunities, work to design and develop actionable policy proposals, and support their implementation. 
5. Provide vision and support for clean energy implementation efforts connected to recent Federal legislation (i.e., IIJA, IRA): help develop and guide a set of emerging activities to support the delivery of new work focused on maximizing outcomes from the recent federal legislation at the state and local level

Skills and Experience (Requirements)

• A deep understanding of the U.S. federal energy ecosystem and experience in some of the following: past and existing policies and core federal energy programs, critical agencies and offices and their functions and strategic priorities, the clean energy innovation pipeline and its component parts across federal R&D, commercialization, and deployment, and other related programs or policies within clean energy. 
• Experience researching, advocating, and/or developing climate and energy policy and working with federal policymakers/legislators to support implementation. 
• A working understanding of climate and clean energy innovation and technology across the United States and the challenges and opportunities to advance and accelerate deployment.
• 10+ years professional experience with 5+ years of experience in a leadership role, overseeing teams and projects with increasing responsibilities including building project plans, overseeing programs and operative models, and leading teams to successfully achieving goals.
• An understanding of federal innovation tools and policy levers to drive change in government.
• A passion and interest in building programs and strategic initiatives to advance FAS work and impact to achieve a clean energy future in the United States.
• A problem solver and big thinker mindset capable of identifying opportunities for impact, developing proposals and project plans to achieve that impact, and leading early career staff in execution of those projects.
• An entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrated ability to manage through ambiguity and successfully build robust and impactful initiatives.

Nice to have

• Direct experience working in or with the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Demonstrated disciplinary skill sets and a diversity of experiences to bring to bear from management consulting, research and advocacy, applied innovation and design, technology, product management, etc.