Associate Director of California Campaigns & Policy

ABOUT THE COALITION

​The Building Decarbonization Coalition aligns building industry stakeholders with energy providers, environmental organizations, and local governments to help electrify California’s homes and workspaces with clean energy. Through convening, policy analysis,  market development, and by building consumer awareness, the Coalition is pursuing fast, fair action to accelerate the development of zero-emission homes and buildings that will help California cut one of its largest sources of climate pollution, while creating safe, healthy and affordable communities.

Burning fossil fuels for heating and cooking poses a serious threat to our health and the planet — making buildings and homes the largest source of climate pollution in the world. Here in California, buildings are second only to transportation as the leading cause of climate change, yet we’ve had no clear plan to address these emissions. Until now.

Through the development of A Roadmap to Decarbonize California’s Buildings, the Coalition lays out an ambitious, inspiring and actionable plan for the state to eliminate building emissions in the Golden State. The Coalition is coordinating implementation of the Roadmap by working with policymakers, the building industry and consumers to dispatch zero-emission lifestyle solutions — eliminating the need for fossil fuels and helping the state to slash climate pollution. 

Moving California’s homes and buildings off of fossil fuels will improve public health, cut climate pollution, deliver cleaner air, alleviate rising housing prices and monthly energy bills, all while creating a tremendous export opportunity for the state. To get there, we are activating strong leadership from communities, manufacturing and government, in California and beyond.

POSITION DESCRIPTION & KEY PRIORITIES

The Associate Director of Policy  & Campaigns supports the vision for the Coalition and serves in a key role for our work in California. Reporting to the California Director and working collaboratively with a small and effective team, the Associate Director of Policy & Campaigns plays a critical role in the evolution of the Coalition from its start-up stage to a more mature organization that can deliver powerfully on its long-term vision. Specifically, the Associate Director of Policy & Campaigns is responsible for assisting in creating and implementing local- and state-level strategy and developing and managing broad coalition campaigns. They will also assist in providing research, policy analysis, and technical assistance to Coalition members and partners.

Strategy Development & Implementation

• Develop adaptive strategy informed by political landscape, the coalition’s priorities and political dynamics, and the California team’s priorities and BDC north stars to ensure equitable decarbonization advances in the state with direction from the California Director and collaboration with the Associate Director of Communications.
• Execute the Coalition’s overarching strategic plan and ensure the campaign work is coordinated and fully embedded into other BDC priorities.

Policy Research, Analysis & Technical Assistance

• Assist the California Director with the development of the Coalition’s policy agenda for building decarbonization at local and state levels, providing research, policy analysis, and technical assistance to Coalition members and stakeholders.
• Be a point person on policy education and communication with policymakers, regulators, and key stakeholders, including developing strong relationships, identifying opportunities and establishing priorities, and working in coalition with others to move the Coalition’s policy agenda and campaigns forward.
• Produce and oversee reports, studies, policy briefs, and other strategic documents to advance the policy agenda and establish the Coalition as the go-to resource for policymakers and regulators.
• Provide testimony and supporting administrative advocacy to ensure strong implementation of existing local and state laws and policies.
• Track pertinent regulatory proceedings or legislative activities.

Campaign Management

• In partnership with the California Director, design and lead one or more BDC campaigns, and ensure that the planning and development of the campaigns move forward. 
• Manage a broad-based, multi-year campaign to have CA adopting a first-in-the-nation zero-emission equitable appliance standards for water heaters and furnaces. 
• Lead work planning and visioning for the campaigns, and develop metrics to measure progress toward achieving the key objectives.
• Build coalitions of NGOs, labor, equity groups, and others to develop relationships and strengthen networks.  Leverage coalition approaches to address barriers to building decarbonization and lift up the most vulnerable communities while striving towards balanced solutions.
• Determine the need for and facilitate regionally-focused working groups to advance building decarbonization within the state and advance the priorities of new statewide and local campaigns. 
• Create and draft materials for campaigns, and coordinate communications plans and materials with the California Director and CA Associate Director of Communications.
• In partnership with the Associate Director of Communications, support the California Team’s alignment, messaging, and information sharing with the Switch Is On, BDC’s consumer and contractor education and inspiration campaign.
• In partnership with the California Director, ensure BDC and its campaigns decarbonize buildings equitably by prioritizing low-income and disadvantaged communities, and prioritize high road jobs for workers who are critical in the clean energy transition. 

Resource Development & Budget Management

• Partner with the California Director to support fundraising and other revenue-generating efforts including memberships and strategic partnerships for the Coalition’s state-based work.
• In partnership with the California DIrector oversee and manage the equitable statewide zero-emission appliance standard campaign budget. 

Communications 

• Partner with the California Director and Associate Director of Communications to ensure a strong communications strategy in support of the new campaign, including but not limited to solid ongoing relationships with media and consumer influencers.
• Support the implementation of communications and thought leadership pieces such as op-eds, blogs, and speaking roles.
• Support narrative-building for building decarbonization and establish BDC as an authority on issues by speaking to press and participating or speaking at public events, panels, policy calls, and more.

QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS

• A passion for building decarbonization, reflected in a clear and inspiring commitment to the mission and growth of the Coalition. 
• A passion for equity, bridge building, and creating high-road jobs.
• A high degree of emotional intelligence to support collaboration between and among diverse stakeholders. 
• Experience intervening with California Public Utilities Commission and California Air Resources Board rulemakings. 
• Political sophistication and policy analysis, exceptional coalition building skills and the ability to communicate, work effectively and build consensus among a variety of internal and external stakeholders; grassroots organizing experience a plus.
• Outstanding leadership and relationship-building skills with clarity of vision and a commitment to the highest levels of integrity, quality and collaboration. 
• 5+ years of relevant experience of campaign management, political advocacy, regulatory lobbying, and coalition building, preferably with solid understanding of building electrification, power sector, and/or climate solutions. Preference for understanding of workforce development and labor relations and / or previous experience working in environmental justice community led coalitions.
• Proven understanding of California’s public policymaking/legislative and regulatory environments and success in influencing policy agendas and outcomes.
• Highly collaborative work style with the ability to operate as a peer and thought partner to the California Director and other members of the BDC team.
• Experience with diverse stakeholders who may possess divergent viewpoints and agendas.
• Demonstrated skill at building campaigns while maintaining effective, trusting relationships within complex environments. 
• Experience in team building and contributing to the development of a positive organizational culture.
• Ability to set clear priorities, and keen analytic, organizational and problem-solving skills that enable sound decision-making.
• Outstanding research, writing and verbal communications skills; strong public speaking and facilitation skills essential.
• Exceptional project management skills to keep coalition work and on schedule
• Ability and willingness to travel on occasion.
• Entrepreneurial drive to build a program from the ground up; start-up experience is a benefit.

WORK ENVIRONMENT, SCHEDULE & TRAVEL

This position will work remotely from their home and must be based in California. Some travel will be required, respective of Covid-related health and safety guidelines.

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 for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This is a full-time salaried position with comprehensive benefits. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  

COMMITMENT TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT

The BDC values diversity in all its forms and is committed to an inclusive and transparent recruitment process. We recruit and hire without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, age, religion, creed, disability (actual or perceived), medical condition including genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic partnership status, citizenship, military service, height, weight, HIV/AIDS status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. BIPOC and people of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $170,000 commensurate with experience, plus a competitive benefits package including paid health insurance coverage, retirement benefits with company matching, unlimited flexible paid leave, 12 paid holidays, access to professional development resources, and much more.

DISCLAIMER

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.