Director, West State Policy

Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization leading the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. Through our powerful networks and advocacy, we tackle the world's biggest sustainability challenges, including climate change, water scarcity and pollution, and human rights abuses.

For more information about Ceres, please visit our website:www.ceres.org .

Description & Responsibilities

The Director, West State Policy position supports Ceres' policy work, with a with a focus on state-level climate, clean energy, clean transportation, and clean buildings policy in the West, including but not limited to Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. This position is designed for a highly motivated, self-starter with prior policy experience looking to be an advocate for strong and effective state climate policies. This position reports to the Senior Director, State Policy.

This role is a full-time position that is remote and may be based in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington. Candidate must be flexible to work with employees in all US time zones.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

· Leadership role in identifying policy priorities in states, developing a plan for policy engagement, and executing plan with team members

· Work with policy team to periodically refine strategy for state program work as it fits into team's overall vision

· Track key developments related to state policy

· Continuously improve knowledge of state-level climate, energy, transportation, environmental justice, and equity policies

· Develop and cultivate relationships with key state policymakers, external partners, and in-state allies (local non-profits, communications firms, lobbyists, etc.)

· Supervise 3 state team members supporting Western state policy advocacy and multistate transportation programs including project management oversight, training, and evaluation duties

· Support in outreach and dissemination of Ceres' work in the West including designing and implementing workshops, webinars/conference calls, newsletters, and other multi-media communications to reach companies, investors, policy makers and donors

· Use earned media, advocacy days, national meetings, direct engagement with policymakers, and other strategies to impact state policy outcomes

· Prepare materials and prep participants for investor and business engagements with press, state lawmakers, and federal lawmakers

· Recruit investors and businesses to engage in state level and federal policy advocacy opportunities

· Train new staff or providing professional development to team members

· Coordinate with other program teams (such as Investor Programs, Communications, Development, Electric Power, or Operations) as needed to accomplish organizational objectives

· Craft fundraising proposals to support designated project or program work

· Represent Ceres at conferences, seminars, press conferences and meetings as spokesperson for project or program work

· Support special projects of Policy Program

Qualifications

· Minimum of 7 years or more of direct experience working environment, energy, equity and justice, buildings and/or transportation policy issues, particularly at the state level

· In-depth knowledge of clean transportation, electric power, and/or sustainability issues and an understanding of corporate perspectives

· Knowledge of Western state (including but not limited to California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado) environmental policy and political arena, with relevant experience

· Self-starter focused on execution, with ability to manage multiple projects

· Ability to make strong connections between sustainability issues and articulate the impacts and implications for corporate and investor actions

· Prior experience supervising, managing, and training staff

· Demonstrated strong project management, business planning skills, and attention to detail

· Effective presentation style as well as strong speaking and written communication skills for external and internal audiences

· Sound judgment, sensitivity to diverse constituencies, excellent interpersonal skills, proven ability to demonstrate initiative and motivation

· Successful record of organizing multiple projects, coordinating, and facilitating dialogues with senior-level professionals and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

· Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team

· Willingness to travel as needed

· Desire to work in a not-for-profit, advocacy-focused organization

· Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), other database applications, Zoom and webinar systems and standard e-mail computer applications

· Interest and willingness to be trained on specific Ceres' applications necessary for success: Salesforce and others

· Interest in being part of a diverse workforce and willingness to support Ceres' Commitment to Inclusion and Equity

Join our team by applying toCareers at Ceres . We encourage all applicants to review our website to learn more about Ceres' goals, mission, and values. Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and list of three references.

Ceres is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors prohibited by applicable law.