Midwest Program Director

Position: Midwest Program Director

Reports to: Senior Program and Policy Director

Management Responsibilities: Manages 1-4 staff

Location: IL, MI, MN, or WI. Strong preference for applicants who reside in MN. Relocation funds available for those willing to move. Candidates with specific knowledge and experience in MN are encouraged to apply.

Who We Are

CEED is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We envision a United States where a just transition has transformed our economy and democratic processes to benefit communities and the environment. The Midwest is leading the way by centering community needs to drive policy and implementation decisions all the way to the National level. Our mission is to create partnerships and coalitions that build the power necessary to advance a just transition grounded in environmental justice, climate justice and energy democracy. We work to ensure those most impacted by climate change and the fossil fuel economy can actively participate in developing, winning and implementing environmental policies that address community needs.

We build power by building and leading effective, well-resourced, and cross-sector coalitions—and support this work through building organizing capacity, policy and research, and narrative change—so that communities are able to lead just climate solutions that protect people and the planet. Our organizational values are: Visionary, Compassionate, Pragmatic, Mutually Accountable, Integrity, Invested in Community.

Summary of Position

The Midwest Program Director will lead development and implementation of CEED’s Midwest work, including Minnesota. This work includes building and cultivating strategic partnerships in the region and managing 1-4 staff. This person will be an organizational leader and spokesperson on areas such as Midwest communications and fund development. We are looking for a collaborative, strategic leader excited to partner with a talented team to clarify and build out CEED’s work in the region.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead CEED’s Midwest body of work: Lead development and implementation of CEED’s overarching strategic plan for the Midwest, including our programmatic work in Minnesota.
• Coalition and Partner Cultivation and Maintenance: Build and maintain relationships with strategic partners in the Midwest. Maintain clear delineation, across the CEED team as to who is bottom-lining what partnerships and our shared approaches. As needed, build and maintain coalition tables to advance program goals.
• Lead Policy and Research Approach: Work with CEED team, stakeholders, and partners to identify policy goals for CEED’s Midwest work. Identify and engage partners (e.g. universities, consultants, research organizations) on the technical policy research and development necessary to advance our policy goals.
• Program Staff and Team Leadership: Supervise, lead, and develop up to 4 staff managing work in the Midwest. Model and embody CEED’s values in all aspects of the work. Lead and participate in teams related to CEED’s Midwest work.
• Donor Stewardship and Fundraising: Support the Development Team on Midwest fundraising including proposal development, reporting, and events with funding partners.
• Perform other assignments as determined by the Senior Program and Policy Director

The successful candidate must have ten (10) years overall experience to include the following skills and experiences:

• Campaign Plan Development and Implementation: At least 5 years experience leading and implementing campaigns. Experience moving campaigns in a coalition context. Understanding of how to develop campaigns in a way that builds longer term power.
• Applied Policy and Research: At least 5 years experience in how to address community needs in policy goals, outcomes, and model policy development.
• Staff Management and Team Leadership: At least 3 years of experience managing staff and leading teams towards shared goals and purpose. Experience leading teams in a coalition context is a plus. Skilled at managing, supporting, and developing the leadership of people with a diversity of identities and lived experiences.
• Skilled Communicator: A proficient communicator who is able to inspire and bring people into a shared vision and purpose across a wide range of lived experiences. Skillful at surfacing and navigating conflict in ways that leads to shared growth and finding a path forward.
• Collaborative and Adaptable: Creative problem solver who is able to move in uncertain terrain. Brings a learning mindset to all work and interactions, and is willing to adjust when something isn’t working as anticipated.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following:

• Proficiency in environmental and climate justice related topics including but not limited to energy democracy, clean energy, just transition, and cumulative impacts. Experience with agency rule-making and state level budgeting and appropriations processes.
• Proficiency in movement and organization technologies. (e.g. VAN, Action Network) Experience training others in how to use movement technologies.
• Proficiency and experience in donor stewardship and fundraising.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CEED is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills and to creating a welcoming environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or any other basis protected by law. CEED’s hiring and employment decisions are based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications.

If there are disability accommodations that would help you in submitting the application or that are otherwise needed during the application process, please contact People Strategy (HR) at gjarrett@ceed.org.