Director of Policy

Director of Policy

Join Our Policy Team

Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) seeks a Director of Policy to lead CEE's public policy development and advocacy. The Director will lead policy development, legislative strategy, regulatory strategy, advocacy at the Minnesota Legislature, Department of Commerce, and Public Utilities Commission, as well as building and maintaining strategic partnerships and relationships with utilities, environmental groups, labor organizations, public interest organizations, and other key stakeholders in Minnesota's energy policy sphere. This position requires thought leadership and experience to effectively advance practical, cost-effective, clean energy solutions. The Director of Policy will continue CEE's longstanding bipartisan approach and work across the Legislature's political spectrum and build diverse strategic coalitions to ensure clean energy solutions are approved and implemented.

CEE is on a growth trajectory leading and responding with resources and solutions in the clean energy transition, with a special expertise in buildings in the Midwest and cold climates. Our organization continues to develop and implement effective solutions that strengthen the economy and improve the environment. Our growing staff are experts in energy efficiency, and influence solutions along a continuum of impact including research & policy, lending, training & education, consulting, and program development and implementation. By bringing this expertise to the policy sphere and developing partnerships, CEE's policy team develops practical solutions to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy affordability, maintain reliability and grow economic opportunity for all. We are seeking a collaborative, pragmatic and creative energy policy leader to grow CEE's data-driven brand of thought leadership.

This is a hybrid position with occasional presence required at the Minneapolis office and significant presence required at in-person meetings with Minnesota partners and stakeholders. Occasional travel required to out-of-state conferences.

Who We Are

Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a clean energy nonprofit with offices in North Loop of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We provide practical energy solutions for homes, businesses, and communities to cut energy waste and harmful emissions. We collaborate regularly with field peers and partners, and we employ curious people who enjoy learning and contributing to the Midwest's quality of life and economy. We are committed to our stated values of collaboration, expertise, science, community, integrity, and equity. Our vision is a healthy, carbon-neutral economy that works for all people. Equitable electrification is integral to our strategies, execution and impact. Recognized as one of Minnesota's top 200 workplaces by the Star Tribune, CEE is known for its open communication, respect for diverse perspectives, and commitment to work-life balance.

What We Offer

• Insurance Coverage Options: To ensure you and your family are well protected, we have got you covered with Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Health Saving Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts. Please see our 2025 Benefit Summary for more detail.
• Impact: We want to make the world a better and more energy efficient place. Our work and the decisions we make are rooted in this foundational desire.
• Future Planning: To help you secure your financial future, benefit from our retirement saving program. Reach your goal sooner with our immediate vesting and company contribution.
• Work/Life Balance: We recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and are dedicated to supporting our team members in various aspects of their lives. Our benefits include generous Paid Time Off (PTO), paid parental leave, and salary continuation for major medical events, ensuring that you have the support you need during significant life moments and personal challenges.
• Holidays: Our company provides nine paid holidays each year, offering you ample time to observe important occasions and enjoy personal time.
• Growth: We want everyone to grow and learn within their roles. We offer professional development opportunities and education assistance.
• Championing DEI: Our committed DEI Committee promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment by establishing clear goals and assessing progress throughout the organization.
  
  

What You'll Do

Policy Development

• In consultation with the President, working with CEE's policy team, and drawing on knowledge from CEE's staff and external partners, lead the development of CEE's policy agenda including work at the Minnesota Legislature, Federal Government, MN Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Commerce and, when appropriate, other state agencies.
• Develop winning strategies to advance CEE's mission through public policy, by shaping and guiding CEE's policy initiatives to succeed in the existing political environment.
• Develop, evaluate, and pursue innovative utility rate structures, clean energy programs, and utility compensation mechanisms that drive greenhouse gas emissions reductions, empower and protect energy consumers, promote community and customer engagement, and reduce energy waste.
• In consultation with the President and key organizational leaders, help define internal policy research to analyze potential policy pathways, design new regulatory paradigms and utility business models and support the evolution of existing regulatory frameworks that prioritize cost-effective energy efficiency and other clean energy resources.
• Lead the research of energy policies in Minnesota and in other states, cities and at the federal level to develop CEE positions, and to better inform CEE policy initiatives

Policy Advocacy

• Build and work with coalitions of stakeholders - state agencies, consumer advocates, clean energy advocates, energy storage providers, electric vehicle advocates, utilities, business representatives, others - to develop and pursue broadly supported clean energy strategies, and to work to improve or oppose proposals that move us away from CEE's mission.
• Coordinate and/or support cross-functional CEE projects that have a utility regulatory component, such as CEE-run CIP programs, the Minnesota e21 Initiative, CARD projects, and community energy planning projects such as the Minneapolis Energy Pathways Study.
• Develop content and communications (one-pagers, summaries, handouts, videos, blogs) to educate legislators, commissioners, and stakeholders on policy initiatives and value of energy efficiency, electrification and other mission-related goals.
• Represent CEE in written and oral comments before regulatory decision-makers, legislative bodies, and in public forums.
• Build support for policy initiatives with allies and potential allies and meet with opponents and other parties to understand and potentially work through differences

External Relations

• Meet regularly with regulators, legislators, utilities, environmental advocates, consumer advocates, labor organizations and other key allies and opponents in Minnesota's energy regulatory policy community to better understand their ideas and positions.
• Gather information from national and regional organizations and keep up on new directions in regulatory energy policy, in order to inform CEE's agenda. When appropriate, leverage national experts to enhance our expertise.
• Represent CEE in stakeholder proceedings related to energy policy
• Speak on behalf of CEE at public conferences, meetings, forums and media interviews

Organizational Leadership

• Provide support and leadership to, and supervision of, staff in the Policy Department.
• Collaborate with leaders and staff across the organization to build CEE's policy agenda and utilize technical expertise in the policy arena.
• Create the Department's work plan, and contribute to the organization's overall strategic plan.
• Serve as part of CEE's leadership team in order to realize organizational goals, cross promote programs, and support goals set by other departments .
• Work with the CFO to develop the Policy Department budget and stay accountable to Policy Department financial performance.
• Actively search and apply for grant and funding opportunities that cover costs to create, organize, and implement CEE's policy agenda.
• Present to CEE's Board of Directors and CEE staff meetings on policy matters, as requested by CEE's President.

Organizational/Internal Management

• Responsible for policy related contractors including but not limited to CEE's contract lobbying firm
• Understand all departmental contractual obligations and mitigate risk.
• Serve as CEE's principal lobbyist. Understand lobbying rules and regulations, and manage all necessary reporting obligations.
• Maintain close communication with other CEE departments as needed.
• Maintain broad knowledge of CEE programs, research, and activities.
• Develop knowledge on energy technologies and applications as necessary.
• Manage the policy team, including hiring, training, assigning tasks, coaching, and evaluating.

Other tasks as assigned or apparent

Skills & Knowledge We're Looking For

• An undergraduate degree is required. A graduate degree in law, policy, or related field is preferred.
• At least ten years of experience in the energy policy sector.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience with energy policy and law, utility regulation, rate design, and utility resource planning processes.
• Strong analytic skills and the ability to write well for both knowledgeable policy audiences and general audiences.
• Leadership capabilities, high level of emotional intelligence, and experience working closely with others to achieve shared goals.
• Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders across a wide ideological spectrum, build support and navigate differences in viewpoints.
• Ability to advocate for CEE's positions in the face of opposition, articulate and build strong arguments and analyze other's arguments relating to economic and environmental outcomes, energy efficiency, and energy utility law and regulations.
• Excellent communication skills and public speaking experience on energy policy and energy efficiency.

Compensation

Dependent on qualifications and experience, we expect the pay range upon hire for this position will be $150k to $160k.