Senior Manager, State Policy, West

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies, and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future.

For more information about Ceres, please visit our web site (www.ceres.org).

Here at Ceres, we value integrity, equity, belonging, compassion, and respect. We demonstrate those values through how we communicate and collaborate with our colleagues and external partners; and embody them in our decision making and advocacy efforts to create a more just and sustainable future.

About the State Policy Team

The State Policy team mobilizes companies and investors to advocate for climate policies in over 20 states. We work to leverage the influential voice of the business community by outlining the economic benefits of policy and the growing operational leadership and action by the private sector. We’ve helped pass dozens of state and regional policies that reduce pollution, increase renewable energy, put more electric vehicles on the road, decarbonize buildings, and put states on a path toward a more just and more equitable economy.

About the Role

The Senior Manager supports Ceres’ policy work, with a with a focus on state-level climate, clean energy and clean transportation policy in the West. 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, clean energy, and clean transportation policies.

This full-time exempt position reports to the Senior Director, State Policy. The position involves 10-15% travel to the Sacramento, California area. Candidates must be located in California within a commutable distance from Sacramento and 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 California and select Western 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 climate, clean energy, and clean transportation policy in the West and educate policy and other team members on emerging trends or critical moments for Ceres’ awareness and/or engagement.
• Manage state-based consultants and lobbyists to execute advocacy strategy.
• Develop and cultivate relationships with key state policymakers, external partners, and in-state allies (local non-profits, communications firms, lobbyists, etc.).
• 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.
• Coordinate with other teams (such as Investor & Company Networks, Accelerator, Communications, Development, Electric Power or Operations) as needed to accomplish organizational objectives.
• Serve as a relationship manager for select company partners in the BICEP policy network.
• Participate in crafting fundraising proposals to support designated project or program work.
• As organizational needs arise, and upon successful internal readiness evaluation by the communications and marketing team and relevant program leaders, this person may be called upon to serve as a public spokesperson for external speaking and media engagements and/or as a lead or contributing author for thought leadership. Duties could include managing editorial projects from start to finish, leading and/or supporting message and content development for reports, briefs, and op-eds and media materials, as well as managing consultants and partners.
• Support organizing and logistical activities related to organization-wide events, such as Climate Week or Ceres’ conference.
• Support the policy team in hiring and training new staff or providing professional development to team members.
• This role has the potential to supervise a limited number of team members supporting Ceres’ policy work in the West, including project management oversight, training, and evaluation duties.
• Other special projects of Policy Program as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant full-time experience required.
• Willingness to register as a state lobbyist and understand and abide by all rules related to compliance.
• Professional experience in advocacy, policy development, or organizing in the energy sector highly preferred; working with business leaders is a plus.
• Experience or interest in sustainability and/or climate policy issues such as energy, transportation, and the building sectors.
• Understanding of California political process, policymakers, and stakeholders and experience working with diverse stakeholders including industry groups, nonprofits, and policymakers highly preferred.
• Experience establishing and cultivating relationships with state elected and appointed officials, and business leaders a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal, improvisational, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to think strategically and develop effective solutions in a fast-paced environment.
• Persuasive verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in formal settings with different audiences and write across various mediums such as research memos, testimony, and talking points.
• Ability to work independently and across departments, while fostering team culture through effective collaboration and inclusive leadership.
• Demonstrated strong project management and attention to detail is required.
• Proven track record of successful supervision, staff management, and coaching.
• 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, and strong initiative and motivation.
• Successful record of organizing multiple projects and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work as part of a team and take a collaborative approach as well as deliver independent projects.
• Planning expertise and ability to deliver projects on deadline within time and resource budgets.
• Proficient with word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and e-mail computer applications.
• Interest in being part of a diverse workforce and willingness to support Ceres’ Commitment to Inclusion and Equity.
• Ability to adapt and respond quickly to change.
• Willingness to travel up to 15%.

Compensation and Benefits

The hiring salary is $81,100 – $96,350 with competitive benefits (Pay Grade 16). Ceres offers fantastic benefits including opportunities for hybrid and remote work; 80%, 82% or 85% (depending on your coverage election) employer paid health insurance and 85% employer paid dental insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with a generous match that starts on day one; generous allowances for commuter and work from home expenses; flexible spending accounts to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for eligible expenses; 10 holidays, generous vacation, and additional paid time off including week-long summer and winter breaks, summer Fridays, and sick, personal, and parental leave.

Ceres Culture

Everyone has a role to play in the movement towards a more just and sustainable world.

At Ceres, we are committed to intentionally and carefully curating, engaging, and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We endeavor to create a supportive environment that sparks innovation, fosters respect, and allows Ceres employees, in all roles at all levels, to come together equally to be fulfilled, successful, and to thrive.

Ceres is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, and we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors prohibited by applicable law.

If you have questions related to the above statement or need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact our ADA Coordinator at ADArequest@ceres.org. Please note, this email address is for ADA inquiries only.

To Apply

We encourage all applicants to review our website to familiarize themselves with Ceres before applying: www.ceres.org. Please submit a resume and cover letter through our online application. Professional references may be requested during the selection process. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as Ceres is unable to sponsor any work visa sponsorship for this position.

Ceres offers fantastic benefits including opportunities for hybrid and remote work; 80%, 82% or 85% (depending on your coverage election) employer paid health insurance and 85% employer paid dental insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with a generous match that starts on day one; generous allowances for commuter and work from home expenses; flexible spending accounts to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for eligible expenses; 10 holidays, generous vacation, and additional paid time off including week-long summer and winter breaks, summer Fridays, and sick, personal, and parental leave.