Job description
Head of Renewables, campaigns
Location: Remote (U.S.-based)
OVERVIEW
The climate emergency is the defining challenge of our time, demanding an urgent and transformative response. The window for small, incremental action has closed; the moment for bold, emergency-level action is now.
Action for the Climate Emergency (ACE) operates at the intersection of clean energy advocacy, strategic media, and civic participation to accelerate global decarbonization. Through cutting-edge media strategies, ACE combats climate disinformation, flattens the curve of clean energy opposition, increases diverse participation in our democracy, and inspires meaningful action. Our programs engage tens of millions of people annually, mobilizing audiences that traditional climate efforts often overlook.
ACE’s dynamic and diverse team thrives in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, united by a shared commitment to addressing the climate crisis. As we expand to meet this critical moment, we seek talented individuals eager to make an impact.
JOB SUMMARY
To meet our climate goals, we must decarbonize our economy at a breakneck speed over the next decade. That includes accelerating deployment of utility-scale renewables. We see the biggest opportunities to advance decarbonization at the state and local level–accelerating utility-scale solar and wind energy projects in communities across the country, fighting local ordinances that are detrimental to the clean energy transition and proactively advancing local ordinances that are conducive to renewables, bring economic and community benefits, and balance environmental impacts.
ACE seeks a dynamic leader to develop and scale our renewable energy siting and permitting work, advancing utility-scale renewable energy projects across the country. This role will also oversee retail electrification and clean workforce verticals.
Reporting to the Chief Campaigns Officer, the Head of Renewables, Campaigns will be a key member of the leadership team directing ACE’s approach to community engagement to advance local siting and permitting, leading a high-performing team of campaigners and strategists. This position will spearhead the design and implementation of campaigns that navigate complex regulatory landscapes, foster impactful local community support and help propel critical renewable energy projects through the regulatory process.
This is a full-time, remote role based anywhere in the United States. The incumbent will operate from a home office, participate in regular in-person events, field work, and both internal and external meetings. Occasional travel is required. Frequent interactions through video chat with ACE team members, industry clients, partners, vendors, and funders are expected. Flexibility to work irregular hours as needed and a willingness to travel for field-based activities and partner meetings.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
- Further refine and build ACE’s siting and permitting program and community engagement methodologies.
- Create playbooks, standardize campaign processes, and establish systems for consistent success.
- Oversee dozens of campaigns annually across more than 20 states and ensure excellence.
- Be out front at industry conferences and with strategic corporate, NGO and philanthropic partners.
- Liaise with renewable energy industry partners and directly manage industry client relationships.
Campaign Design and Execution
- Oversee campaign origination and lead strategic positioning.
- Lead strategy for renewable energy siting and permitting with ACE’s team of campaigners and strategists.
- Align campaign strategies with local regulatory contexts and community needs while ensuring consistency and quality across multiple projects.
- Enhance stakeholder engagement approaches to mitigate opposition and build robust local support.
- Manage complex data and research tools and databases
Team Leadership
- Develop and lead a high-performing team of campaigners and strategists.
- Set clear goals, define professional growth pathways, and ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
- Foster strong communication and collaboration across departments to ensure unified campaign execution.
- Provide detailed reports to senior leadership on campaign progress, challenges, and outcomes.
- Mentor and train staff involved in campaign initiatives, fostering a culture of growth and innovation.
Stakeholder and Partner Relations
- Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including developers, local officials, funders and community partners.
- Oversee campaign delivery, ensuring high-quality service and measurable results.
- Act as a trusted advisor to partners and clients, addressing challenges proactively.
Operational Excellence
- Monitor and manage campaign performance through measurable goals and clear metrics.
- Establish and maintain best practices for quality control and efficient processes.
- Track and report on campaign outcomes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and using the latest digital tools and technologies
Other Duties as Assigned
- Adapt to the evolving needs of a fast-paced organization with flexibility and creativity.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Qualifications and Experience
- 10+ years of experience in renewable energy development and permitting, with a proven record of project success
- Demonstrated expertise in standardizing processes and approaches across multiple campaigns or projects
- Proven experience building and leading high-performing teams of 5+ individuals
- Strong understanding of utility-scale renewable energy permitting, regulatory frameworks, and interrelated workforce needs for the clean energy transition
- Track record of managing complex stakeholder and partner relationships
- Experience in budget management and performance tracking using dashboards
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
- Experience using digital tools and technology with proficiency in Google Suite
- Experience using clean energy databases like Enverus, Curate and AI tools
- Self-starter eager to dive into improving and creating systems, with the flexibility to adapt to changing environments
- Understanding of and commitment to testing and running metric-based programs
- Ability to manage multiple projects with thoroughness, accuracy, timeliness, and professionalism
- Proactive, flexible, and solutions-oriented with a commitment to innovation. Flexibility to work irregular hours as needed and a willingness to travel for field-based activities and partner meetings
- Strong background in working with cross-functional teams and managing stakeholder relationships
- Proficiency with campaign project management tools and CRM systems (e.g., Voter Action Network)
- Deep understanding of strategic use of data; ability to collaborate well with others; works well in a fast-paced environment and able to multitask without sacrificing quality of work; ability to communicate effectively about complex topics; ability to translate analysis into a digestible and actionable format; understanding of clean economy issues and their potential to engage the public (preferred)
- Exceptional writing, organizational, strategic thinking, and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and lead diverse teams
Desired Qualifications
- Experience using new media interventions to build local public support for renewables
- Experience working with rural constituencies
- Experience with measurement and evaluation including qualitative and quantitative research
This description reflects ACE’s assignment of essential functions, it does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. ACE retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position at any time. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. ACE has a zero-tolerance standard for abuse and inappropriate behavior by staff members.
