Program Director (Energy)

TITLE: Program Director (Energy)

ORGANIZATION: National Governors Association

LOCATION: Washington, DC (onsite)

DURATION: Full Time

POSITION STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Director, Center for Best Practices

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association is the bipartisan organization of Governors from the 55 states, territories and commonwealths. NGA’s mission is to share best practices, address issues of national and state interest, and drive innovative solutions that improve state government and support the principles of federalism.

NGA’s Center for Best Practices is the policy and research arm that helps Governors develop and implement solutions to public policy challenges. NGA’s Government Relations group assists in ensuring the voice of Governors are heard in Congress, and the Executive Branch and NGA’s Communications team collaborates with Governors’ offices to amplify bipartisan messaging and strategy.

Throughout the year, NGA convenes Governors and senior advisors for meaningful discourse, problem-solving and thought leadership.

Key Responsibilities Of The Program Director (energy)

The Center for Best Practices Program Director’s primary responsibilities will be to lead a team that provides support to Governors and other state executive branch leaders on a range of issues related to energy and environmental policy.

Key issue areas the Program Director will focus on include supporting Governors on a range of energy and environmental policy issues, including energy planning and system modernization to meet clean energy, storage, and electrification goals, energy resilience planning and funding, federal energy regulation and energy markets, state and federal nuclear energy priorities, some environmental work primarily focused on water and air policies and conservation, and other issues that may evolve over time.

This position requires the Program Director to manage a small staff of policy experts and requires that they be able to develop a working knowledge of new issues quickly, execute regular briefings for Governors’ staff, lead policy engagements with states, facilitate cross-agency and cross-sector collaboration, and respond to technical questions from Governors’ offices on a wide range of energy and environmental policy topics.

Other important responsibilities of the Program Director include:

• Overseeing multiple projects and project managers simultaneously, including consultants and sub-contracts with states and external partners;
• Overseeing and analyzing project budgets, projecting future spending, and developing financial proposals for potential new efforts;
• Communicating effectively in verbal and written forms, with an ability to communicate clearly with policy making audiences such as state and federal officials, national experts, and others;
• Designing project concepts and identifying funding for these concepts to enable this team to provide relevant and timely expertise and assistance to Governors, their staff and other executive branch leaders, including by writing project concept papers and proposals, building and maintaining relationships with philanthropic, public, corporate, and federal funders, and working with NGA’s Office of Development to support fundraising efforts;
• Demonstrating strong interpersonal skills to effectively work with colleagues, partner organizations, and a variety of high-ranking state and federal officials;
• Managing wide-scale projects with multiple staff and tasks simultaneously, in coordination with a diverse group of stakeholders;
• Organizing and facilitating workshops, conferences, seminars, panel discussions, state strategy sessions and other events;
• Identifying and tracking key issues of concern to Governors, developing promising initiatives to address these concerns, and connecting Governors’ key staff with other states and national experts who can assist them in addressing these issues;
• Demonstrating a commitment to NGA’s mission and goals to constructively serve the needs of all Governors; and
• Other duties as assigned by Deputy Director or Director, Center for Best Practices.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversees employee(s) responsible for meeting project goals;
• Sets goals for performance, ensures staff are meeting organizational and personal development goals and evaluates staff job results through a performance management system;
• Implements internal control policies and procedures for all program activities (including budgets and deliverables); and
• Oversee employee training programs and identify training needs in coordination with the Deputy Director, Center for Best Practices and Human Resources
  
  

Qualifications

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in public policy, energy policy, or a related field. Candidates should have a minimum of eight to ten years working in areas of policies and programs that are within the energy and environmental policy portfolio, including expert knowledge of and experience working in the following energy and/or environmental policy areas: general knowledge of state environmental protection policies and programs in the air, land, and water space; familiarity with U.S. EPA, DOE, and other federal agency environmental initiatives; some knowledge of state energy planning, grid modernization and energy infrastructure development/new technology deployment; state clean energy and decarbonization strategies, including support of certain generation technologies such as solar, wind, and nuclear; and general knowledge of U.S. energy markets and how they are regulated at the state level.

Knowledge and expertise could include helping Governors, their staff and their executive branch appointees design and implement evidence-based policies focused on achieving specific outcomes. Experience working with Governors, working in federal or state agencies or in non-profit organizations is preferred. Candidates with commensurate lived experience will also be considered.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability to:

• Experience working with high-level state policymakers in a variety of settings;
• Experience in organizing small and large-scale convening for a variety of functions ranging from collaboration, consensus building, and structured learning opportunities where a candidate will need to possess strong presentation skills, including, at times, serving as subject matter expert and/or panelist;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders to advance objectives;
• Ability to manage budgets on multiple projects with a variety of funding streams, including federal and foundation grants;
• Ability to handle and process information of a highly sensitive and critical nature;
• Capacity to manage a professional team that can work together and independently in a dynamic, changing work environment, as well as the ability to set priorities effectively;
• Skill in conveying essential information clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally;
• Knowledge of web tools; and
• Travel, as necessary.
  
  

How To Apply

Interested candidates should apply online through NGA’s career site. NGA uses Clear Company, and all information is kept strictly confidential. An application is considered when all required fields are completed. Please include:

• Your resume highlighting your education, experience, and direct transferable skills
• A portfolio of your best work (attach to your candidate profile via Clear Company)
  
  

Compensation

Salary Range: $135,000 - $190,000 annually. This salary range represents a good faith estimate of the lowest to the highest salary for this position. The final salary offered will be based on qualifications and experience.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. NGA is committed to providing a productive and safe environment. To achieve that goal, we conduct background and reference check investigations for all final applicants considered for employment.

WORKING AT THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION

NGA staff proudly serve our nation’s Governors daily, and it’s our mission to ensure we offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits package designed to support the needs of NGA employees. Benefits include a choice of three comprehensive healthcare plans; vision and dental insurance; tuition assistance; 401(k) match and employer contribution; group life insurance; short/long term disability coverage; and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

NGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/D/F/V). NGA is committed to fostering an energetic, collaborative, diverse and inclusive workforce. We promote diversity and provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, or any other legally protected factor. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.