PROGRAM DIRECTOR, CALIFORNIA

ABOUT ENERGY FOUNDATION

Energy Foundation’s (EF) mission is to secure a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. We envision a healthy, safe, equitable economy powered by clean energy. We believe a thriving clean energy economy can create sustainable opportunities, spur innovation, and protect our climate—for today and future generations.  

EF supports education and analysis to promote non-partisan policy solutions that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency while opening doors to greater innovation and productivity—growing the economy with dramatically less pollution. For more than 25 years, Energy Foundation has supported grantees to help educate policymakers and the general public about the benefits of a clean energy economy. Our grantees include business, health, environmental, labor, equity, community, faith, and consumer groups, as well as policy experts, think tanks, universities, and more. 

EF is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, and our more than 70 staff members are based in locations throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Western regions where they can best serve our programs, partners, operations, and other functions. 

POSITION SUMMARY

California is a leadership state for Energy Foundation's investments, a state that has driven innovative and urgent climate policy—and must continue to do so. The Program Director, California, will guide the foundation’s strategies to build public support for clean energy and climate policies in California. Working in the state and in close partnership with Energy Foundation’s West regional staff, consultants, grantees and advocates, and funder partners, the Program Director will design and fund strategies that create the diverse coalitions and collaborations needed to advance the ambitious state policy goals in the power, buildings, transportation, industrial, and climate sectors. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and oversee multi-year campaign strategies for California, including funding allocations, constituency-building, policy support, and public engagement with an emphasis on priority policies identified by the foundation and coalition partners. 
• Manage the foundation’s investment in California that is focused on policy development and building public and policymaker support for clean energy and climate policy using 501(c)(3)-compliant tactics to educate and advocate. 
• Lead the grantmaking process for grants in the state; make grant recommendations pursuant to annual and long-term strategic plans and regional objectives. 
• Collaborate with the foundation’s communications, campaign, and policy experts to design and execute aligned program strategies. 
• Work closely with Senior Regional Director, West, and the Strategic Partnerships team to inform and support funding partners with advice, identification of gaps in the advocacy field, and new opportunities for funder collaboration in California. 
• Maintain and build collaborative relationships with grantees, policymakers, opinion leaders, funding partners, and other experts and leaders in the field. 
• Produce top-quality written materials for a variety of audiences, including board members, funders, and other stakeholders. 
• Generate and implement ideas for systems, program, and operational improvement. 
• Maintain collaborative relationships with Energy Foundation peers and colleagues, particularly with a focus on meaningful engagement within Energy Foundation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. 
• Evaluate the impact of individual grants, initiatives, and broader campaigns. 
• Support and engage in cross-sector collaboration and build a reputation internally as a thought partner in refining Energy Foundation’s strategies. 
• Oversee and manage experienced state-based consultants. 
• Support regional strategies as needed. 

SUPERVISION

• Reports to the Senior Regional Director, West, and is a member of the U.S. Programs Team. Supervises one Program Associate. 

EXPERIENCE

• The ideal candidate is an expert campaign director with a minimum of 10 years of experience managing successful issue campaigns with experience in California. 
• Skilled in developing strategies that consider and synthesize multiple perspectives into a coherent big-picture strategy and workable plan, prioritizing investments, and evaluating progress.  
• Experience building diverse coalitions.  
• Experience working with policymakers and legislative bodies. 
• Familiarity with clean energy and climate policy issues, particularly at the state level. 
• Credibility in the field. Able to establish rapport internally and with funding partners, grantees, consultants, and other stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated fundraising abilities. 
• Strong writing and speaking skills. Able to present complex information in a meaningful way to the Energy Foundation Board of Directors, funding partners, and allies. 
• Ability to develop and facilitate strategy across a network of internal and external partners. 
• Desired experience with the following areas: 
• Grantee networks and existing experts engaged in clean energy and climate advocacy. 
• The role of philanthropy and how foundation dollars impact policies and markets. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to travel, estimated to be 6–12 times a year for 1–3 business days at a time.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position. The target salary for this position is $180,000 for candidates based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and $158,400 for national candidates in other parts of California. EF provides a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental, vision, disability, and retirement benefits and paid time off.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to spend extended hours at the computer. This position requires moderate levels of domestic travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position is based in the Energy Foundation’s office in San Francisco or remote in California.