Advanced Energy United Hiring for Policy Director – Expanding Wholesale Markets, MISO and SPP at United States Full Time

Policy Director – Expanding Wholesale Markets, MISO And SPP

Advanced Energy United (formerly known as Advanced Energy Economy) educates, engages, and advocates for policies that allow our member companies to compete to repower our economy with 100% clean energy. We work with decision makers at every level of government, as well as regulators of energy markets to achieve this goal. The businesses we represent are lowering consumer costs, creating millions of new jobs, and providing the full range of clean, efficient, and reliable energy and transportation solutions. Today, our industry employs more than 3.3 million Americans. Together, we are united in our mission to accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy in the United States. 

If you’re an entrepreneurial, innovative, analytical and thoughtful person looking to make an impact in the clean energy space, United might be the perfect place for you to share your talents. Team members at United are given the trust and responsibility to make big things happen, and myriad opportunities to learn new skills, explore new issue areas, and work with a broad cross section of the clean energy community. Being a team member at United also means working with a talented and diverse group of people, some who bring decades of experience spanning advocacy, philanthropy, clean tech, government and more—and our collaborative approach means we get to learn from each other, expert and novice, every day. And while our organization is fully remote, we are proud of the people-focused culture we have built and the connectedness of our team.

We work on serious issues, take our mission seriously, but never take ourselves too seriously.

Position Description 

Advanced Energy United is currently seeking a Director to join our Wholesale Markets team as we expand our engagement into the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) markets (United’s current wholesale markets engagement is focused on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, ISO New England, and PJM Interconnection).

This role will be responsible for launching and leading United’s advocacy in these markets to increase opportunities for advanced energy technologies to compete and participate in wholesale markets. This will include working with United member companies to identify priorities and form positions; attending relevant stakeholder meetings; building relationships with MISO and SPP staff, relevant state representatives, and other stakeholders; and developing and advancing advocacy strategies.

The ideal candidate has a mix of technical knowledge, market experience, and coalition-building skills. This is a dynamic role that will require prioritization and judgement to identify where to focus time, effort, and resources for the greatest impact. It will also involve working with United’s state teams to coordinate engagement with relevant state policymakers, and with our FERC staff to weigh in on relevant issues before the Commission.

Knowledge or experience working on wholesale market issues is preferred, but candidates with interest and an ability to learn quickly are also encouraged to apply. Successful candidates are equally excited about debating wonky market issues as they are about building relationships and coalitions to advance policy objectives.

Responsibilities 

• Work collaboratively with United policy team members on developing and implementing strategies to meet short and long-term policy objectives in MISO and SPP regions.
• Lead United and United member engagement at MISO and SPP, including following and actively engaging in key stakeholder discussions, developing consensus membership priorities and positions, supporting coalition-building efforts, and assisting with engagement at FERC.
• Facilitate member calls and lead policy discussions to coalesce member input and prioritize areas of interest and engagement.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with coalition partners, philanthropy, allies and non-allied stakeholders, and key RTO, regulatory, legislative, and administrative staff.
• Work with communications staff to identify and seize opportunities to showcase stories, rebut problematic narratives, and advance objectives. Draft press statements, write blog posts, participate in webinars, and create opportunities to showcase advanced energy.
• Write comments, create reports, presentations, fact sheets, and other written and visual materials, and deliver verbal presentations related to market reform positions, advanced energy trends, solutions, and systems.
• Travel on an as needed basis (up to 30%) to targeted venues for stakeholder meetings, conferences, meetings with key allies, communications outreach, and other efforts on behalf of United.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s and/or Advanced degree, Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, Law, or Engineering preferred or applicable comparable experience
• Minimum of seven years of professional experience in and engagement in the energy sector; ideally, some experience with wholesale market structures and stakeholder processes (MISO/SPP experience preferred)
• Entrepreneurial approach, flexible attitude, and ability to operate independently, making decisions consistent with United’s mission/vision
• Handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to engage members, customers, and funders, and sell United and its value proposition to those audiences
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, both written and verbal; ideally, some experience engaging and presenting in stakeholder forums and preparing regulatory comments
• Intellectual curiosity, inquisitive nature, and excellent listening and problem-solving skills
• Performance-oriented individual with a strong work ethic, demonstrated initiative and commitment to achieving goals

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is required to sit for long periods of time; reach with hands and arms; may need to balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, walk up and down stairs.

Job type: Full-time; regular; residence in the U.S. required

Location: REMOTE (preference for candidates with proximity to either Indiana (MISO HQ) or Arkansas (SPP HQ)

Salary: starting at $110,000

Start Date: September 2023

Advanced Energy United Perks include:

• Remote work and flexible schedule
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Medical premiums covered for employees at 100%
• Flexible spending plans for health care and dependent care
• Profit Sharing opportunities and annual merit-based compensation increases
• $50/month personal wellness reimbursement
• $50/month phone stipend
• Up to $200 reimbursement for home office set-up
• Accrued Paid Time Off, 11 Federal Holidays, and an annual end-of-year closure
• Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development reimbursement
• 401(k) plan (with matching incentives)
• WMATA Transit Smart Benefits (DMV employees)

Advanced Energy United is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application, interview process, and/ or to perform essential job functions please contact the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]. We are committed to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across our organization (“DEIJ”). We also incorporate these values into our mission of making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. We know that varied perspectives and a commitment to social justice are needed to succeed in making the United States an advanced energy economy. We commit to building and supporting an inclusive workforce that represents different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints.