Regional Director, Midwest

The Regional Director, Midwest at Minnesota Environmental Partnership will lead legislative and public-facing campaigns in Minnesota and Michigan, focusing on solar policy. Responsibilities include developing campaign strategies, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring social equity in energy policies. The role requires strong advocacy skills and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The position is remote, allowing for coordination with a small team across multiple states.
About the position

The Regional Director, Midwest will develop and direct legislative and other public-facing campaigns in Minnesota and Michigan. This role manages the campaign strategy and implements the 'outside game' of our regulatory and legislative efforts. Successful candidates will understand what it takes to design and execute a campaign strategy, to independently identify campaign goals and priorities, and to work closely with partner organizations and stakeholders to actualize the vision and mission of Vote Solar. The work will often involve balancing multiple competing priorities across different states, so a strong sense of impact and an alignment with Vote Solar's values will help somebody succeed in this work. The Midwest team is small (four people total) so you will work closely with the rest of the team to coordinate multi-prong strategies aimed at drafting, passing, and implementing good, equitable solar policies. This position reports to the Deputy Programs Director, Midwest.

Responsibilities
• Develop Vote Solar's legislative & public-facing campaign strategy for key states within the region.
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• Strategically plan and execute comprehensive regulatory and legislative campaigns to advance solar policy, including hiring lobbyists and tracking budgets.
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• Ensure that our campaigns in the region advance socially just energy policies and programs that will benefit underserved communities.
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• Closely collaborate with Vote Solar's Midwest Regulatory Team to develop public-facing campaigns and engagement strategies around regulatory efforts in key states.
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• Recruit solar champions through relationship building and education of key policymakers in the region.
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• Leverage grassroots supporters and organizations as well as key influencers to turn solar's broad popularity into effective political power.
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• Build strong, authentic partnerships, following our Just Partnership Principles, within coalitions to increase the effectiveness and inclusivity of our campaigns.
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• Lead or participate in coalitions, existing and new, that are working on bold campaigns to improve energy and climate policy.
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• Work with Vote Solar's Communications team to develop strong campaigns outreach, in conjunction with coalition partners.
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• Implement media and social media strategies and tactics to support campaign objectives.
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• Ensure top-notch communications campaigns in the region by working with our internal communications team and coalition partners to plan and implement media and social media tactics to support campaign objectives.
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• Engage with members of the press and at times serve as a spokesperson for the organization.
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• Continue personal learning and contribute to organizational work on diversity, equity and inclusion.
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• Work to embed equity in all organizational internal practices and culture, as well as our programs.
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• Bring openness and engagement to personal, professional, and organization-wide learning on race, class, gender, justice, and equity.

Requirements
• Knowledge of the legislative process, and familiarity with the components of an advocacy campaign: lobbying, coalition building, grassroots and grasstops organizing and media relations.
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• Interest in clean energy and energy justice policy and a proven ability to become conversant with policy details.
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• Experience working in coalitions and finding common ground among diverse and occasionally competing perspectives.
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• Compelling communication skills, including the ability to speak in public and with media outlets.
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• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at once.
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• Comfortable working in a remote team setting, with demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and driven.

Nice-to-haves
• Expertise on solar energy policy and regulatory topics, particularly in the Midwest.
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• Strong relationships with regional stakeholders, especially environmental justice, frontline and traditional environmental groups as well as the solar industry.

Benefits
• Salary range of $104,000 - $109,100.
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• 4 weeks of paid vacation.
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• 12 days of sick leave.
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• 4 days of personal leave.
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• 16 paid holidays.
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• 100% employer-provided health, dental and vision care for both the employee and dependents.
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• Retirement savings plan with an employer contribution of 3.5%.
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• Paid parental and medical leave policy for all regular employees.