Associate Director, Clean Energy

Full-time FAS staff Washington DC

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) is seeking an experienced creative and energetic professional to help lead and grow our work on clean energy. This role advances evidence-informed policy at multiple levels of government to support a rapid equitable cost-effective and durable shift to clean energy; the role includes a particular emphasis on ensuring that sound policy design is supported by robust government capacity for implementation. The ideal candidate will possess relevant technical expertise; deep understanding of the U.S. energy policy ecosystem; demonstrated ability to lead people and projects; experience fundraising from philanthropic and/or public sources; and genuine excitement about expanding the realm of the possible with respect to clean energy solutions.

Does FAS sound like an organization that you would be energized to join Is it aligned to your values

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes quite seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community.

FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 a group of atomic researchers deeply concerned about the use of science for malice created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.

The group they created the Federation of Atomic Scientists soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world.

Today we are a group of entrepreneurial intrepid changemakers forging a better future for all through the nexus of science technology and talent. We value equity inclusion and transparency. As a collective we are building an organization focused on being impact-driven customer-focused and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

What skills do you need to show proficiency (or higher) in order to be a strong candidate

Were looking for someone who is both a subject-matter expert in clean energy and an entrepreneurial program builder. Strong candidates will bring most of the following:

• Clean energy fluency. A deep understanding of the U.S. clean energy policy ecosystem (especially key federal policies and programs the respective roles of various government agencies recent trends in state and federal policy priorities and legislative dynamics) plus technical depth in one or more of domains relevant to current FAS work on clean energy: critical minerals grid supply chains clean energy deployment clean firm power geothermal long-duration energy storage distributed energy resources large-scale transmission advanced transmission technologies grid-enhancing technologies federal energy innovation and DOE program implementation and institutional design.
• Institutional insight. Curiosity about and ideally experience with how government actually delivers: how agencies are organized for collaboration and execution how federal-state-local relationships shape implementation and what capacity constraints determine whether good policy actually gets done.
• Policy entrepreneurship. A track record of spotting opportunities for impact developing policy ideas and building support for them and moving those ideas through policy processes and into the real world. Ability to read political feasibility prioritize among competing opportunities and adapt strategy quickly in a fast-moving environment.
• Coalition-building and trust. Experience building and managing coalitions or multi-stakeholder partnerships across organizations with different interests timelines and priorities; a record of building trust with stakeholders across ideological institutional and sectoral differences.
• Communication. Excellent written and oral communication skills with a strong ability to tailor to different audiences.
• Leadership and management. Experience managing complex projects workstreams budgets and teams plus supervising or mentoring staff. Capacity to shape and articulate overarching portfolio strategy as well as to operationalize strategy by breaking down big objectives into realistic time-bound goals and deliver against them.
• Fundraising sensibility. Familiarity with the philanthropic landscape and comfort translating policy work into fundable concepts growing funder relationships and generally leading (with support from internal development functions and organizational leadership) fundraising needed for portfolio growth.
• Depth of experience. 10 years of relevant professional experience including time in a leadership strategy management or senior project-ownership role. Advanced degree in a relevant field is a plus.

Whats the elevator pitch for the role

FAS is seeking an Associate Director to lead and grow our work on clean energy working in particularly close collaboration with our climate and environment and government capacity teams through FASs Center for Regulatory Ingenuity.

Were looking for an experienced creative and energetic professional who can operate as both a subject-matter expert and a policy entrepreneur: someone who can grasp complex technical and institutional problems spot openings for action build trust with policymakers and partners and translate ideas into legislative administrative and implementation outcomes. Just as important as policy and technical expertise is genuine curiosity about what it takes to move an idea on paper into results and impact in the real world and how to proactively anticipate and address implementation bottlenecks in ways that accelerate progress on clean energy while rebuilding public trust in government. Finally were looking for someone who can be a portfolio leader: who can sharpen and evolve strategic direction for FASs body of work on clean energy build connective tissue between this work and other internal policy teams serve as a project and person manager and spearhead fundraising.

In this role you will:

• Steward and grow FASs diverse body of work on clean energy portfolio starting with already-funded projects by:
  • Working with our Government Affairs team to ideate and drive bipartisan clean-energy legislation.
  • Working with our Government Capacity team to design and lead an initiative on federal institutional capacity to lead on clean energy i.e. the talent structure and institutional capacity DOE needs to deliver across administrations.
  • Working with our Center for Regulatory Ingenuity to explore and advance novel approaches to energy policy at the federal and subnational levels.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert and FASs primary public voice on a variety of clean energy topics.
• Build partnerships with other stakeholders to advance policy ideas.
• Grow the portfolio by developing fundable concepts shaping fundraising strategy and owning and growing funder relationships.
• Manage projects budgets and grant deliverables.
• Supervise and mentor staff and contractors.
• Work across FAS policy teams and cross-cutting functions to align strategy and execution.

This is a role for someone who cares deeply about clean energy and the people and institutions behind it and who wants the runway to build FASs work in this space alongside talented junior staff and collaborative peer leaders. If this sounds like you wed love to talk.

This is a hybrid role: both remote and in-person work can be accommodated generally two to three days per week on-site and two to three days per week remote depending on the needs of the organization.

$115000 $145000

FAS offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employees health financial security and overall well-being. Benefits include a competitive 403(b) retirement plan; medical dental and vision coverage; short-term and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; employee assistance support; pre-tax benefits such as healthcare and dependent care FSAs; and commuter benefits.

Dont check off every box Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. At FAS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and developing new voices. If youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt align perfectly we encourage you to apply anyway you might just be the right candidate.

The Federation of American Scientists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender identity or expression national origin age disability genetic information marital status amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal state and local laws. The Federation of American Scientists prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about discuss or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant. Employment is contingent on successful verification of eligibility to work in the United States.