Director of Climate and Energy Policy

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA), one of the nation’s leading nonprofit consumer advocacy organizations, seeks a full-time Director of Climate and Energy Policy to lead CFA’s advocacy, research, and educational efforts that support consumer interests and address the challenges and dangers of climate change. The Director will also collaborate across CFA’s issue teams, such as AI and privacy, consumer product safety, financial services, food policy, housing, insurance, and investor protection, to identify and encourage policies that advance and protect the interests of consumers with low- to moderate-incomes. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and influencing policy decisions related to the intersection of climate and energy policy and consumer protection. This position requires a deep understanding of legislative processes, a proven record of successful advocacy efforts, the ability to navigate regulatory processes, and to build and support coalitions.

About CFA

The Consumer Federation of America is an association of non-profit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education. Today, around 200 of these groups participate in the federation and govern it through their representatives on the organization’s Board of Directors.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for climate and energy consumer protection policies before Congress, state legislatures, and at regulatory agencies.
• Serve as CFA spokesperson on climate and energy issues and communicate policy positions to the press, policymakers, and the public.
• Generate, undertake, and oversee research and identify useful research from other credible sources.
• Engage in dialogues with businesses and industry groups.
• Work in coalition with other advocates on climate and energy consumer protection issues.
• Work with America Saves staff to develop educational tools for consumers to help navigate an increasingly complex marketplace.
• Manage current funding relationships and identify new funding sources to support the climate and energy work and the organization.

Advocacy

• Communicate CFA policy positions and build relationships with Members of Congress, state legislators and regulators.
• Work with other members of the CFA team on overlapping issues.
• Produce content for legislative and regulatory efforts, including authoring and collaborating on comments on proposed regulations affecting consumer protections on climate and energy and other relevant issues.
• Organize and participate in meetings with stakeholders on climate and energy issues.
• Maintain current coalition partner relationships and develop new coalitions with colleague organizations to promote pro-consumer climate and energy policies.

Research

• Develop and implement research projects to expose consumer problems, promote solutions, and provide consumer education on climate and energy issues.
• Identify research from credible sources to validate policy positions and inform advocacy and consumer education efforts.

Press

• Work with CFA’s Communications staff to implement a strategic communications plan regarding climate and energy issues, which includes:
  • Preparing press releases and social media outreach promoting issues, exposing problems, and presenting research results.
  • Identifying and cultivating relationships with key reporters covering climate and energy issues.
  • Participating in the development of overall communication strategies associated with climate and energy issues.
  • Where appropriate, writing and publishing blog articles on the CFA website explaining and promoting CFA positions on pending climate and energy policy matters.

Conference and Event Support

• Develop themes and sessions for CFA conferences and summits, inviting panelists and keynotes, and supporting conference planning efforts.
• Assist with program creation and execution of annual conferences alongside CFA staff planning committees and the Director of Meetings and Events.

Qualifications

• BA and advanced degree required.
• Ten-plus years’ experience in and climate and energy policy advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage comments on proposed regulatory initiatives and regulations, as well as draft legislation and prepare for pending hearings on relevant topics.
• Effective communication skills, including written, interpersonal, and verbal.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Experience working with nonprofit advocacy-oriented organizations.