Senior Director, National Programs and Partnerships

The Coalition for Community Solar Access is hiring a Senior Director, National Partnerships and Federal Policy in Mission, KS. This role involves leading national partnerships and federal policy initiatives to support the community solar industry. Responsibilities include advocacy with federal legislation and agencies, managing coalitions, and ensuring effective communication with CCSA members. Ideal candidates should have strong experience in renewable energy policy and excellent communication skills.
The Coalition for Community Solar Access (“CCSA”) is seeking qualified applicants for a Senior Director, National Partnerships and Federal Policy, to advance the interests of the community solar industry. The anticipated start date for this position is immediate. CCSA is a growing organization working to open, protect, and serve markets for community solar across the country.

The Senior Director, National Partnerships and Federal Policy will lead the development of national partnerships, federal policy and advocacy initiatives while working closely with CCSA’s Policy, New and Community Solar Markets Teams. CCSA regularly works with congressional offices, federal agencies and coalitions to advance the community solar industry through supportive federal programs, tax incentives and legislation. The role will (1) guide CCSA’s federal initiatives and ensure that relevant federal developments are disseminated to members and across the organization, and (2) lead national partnerships and coalition development and management, with support of the CCSA Policy Team.

The Senior Director, National Partnerships and Federal Policy will report directly to the President and CEO. CCSA is a fast paced, mission driven, collegial, and fun work environment. The ideal candidate will share CCSA’s mission to expand access to solar for all, and fit the fast paced and self-starting culture.

Qualifications:
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills with strong technical knowledge of energy related issues and experience engaging with federal policymakers
• Strong experience in renewable and solar energy policy and with federal congressional and agency advocacy; preferably directly on behalf or within a renewable energy business or association.
• Ability to achieve policy and market goals through a variety of federal engagements including a combination of:
• congressional outreach and engagement
• federal agency outreach and engagement
• advocacy including written and informal
• Ability to speak to and work with both conservative and progressive constituencies
• Ability to efficiently manage CCSA Member input within organization’s Committee process; working alongside the policy team, members and broader coalitions of local stakeholders
• Ability to co-lead thought leadership development of policy positions of CCSA with both the President and CEO and CCSA Policy team
• Ability to work within the trade association environment and representing industry interests to effectuate industry-beneficial outcomes

Responsibilities:
• Drive, manage, track and engage through effective advocacy with federal legislation that impacts the Community Solar industry
• Track and engage through effective advocacy with federal administrative agency actions that impact the community solar industry (IRA implementation, EPA’s Solar for All Program and Clean Energy tax credits, etc)
• Leader outreach, engagement, and management of CCSA national partnerships and coalitions.
• Develop new and expand depth and breadth of existing community and distributed solar-focused federal opportunities
• Work with and beside CCSA members in anticipating, developing and advocating for policies that advance and expand community solar opportunities
• Serve as lead staff for federal policy efforts with engagement from the CCSA Policy team
• Manage CCSA federal and national partnership and coalition consultants
• Manage and coordinate CCSA participation in FERC related proceedings in coordination with broader DER allies, with support of CCSA regulatory team
• Serve as federal policy expert to federal agencies and legislative audiences
• Lead and manage CCSA engagement with the Department of Energy NCSP with the support of CCSA regulatory team
• Support development and execution of national communications efforts alongside CCSA Senior Director for Public Affairs
• Support development and review of CCSA annual planning for federal advocacy and national partnerships

Requirements:
• Minimum 10+ years working in federal policy with a preference for electricity, energy, or environmental work experience
• Self-starter, with strong political instincts, and ability to work in dynamic and fast paced environment
• Experience and tangible…