Job description
Location: Remote (U.S.-based), with a preference for Washington, DC. Regular virtual meetings and occasional travel are required.
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) is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to addressing the climate emergency by advancing climate education, advocacy, civic engagement, and electoral strategies. ACE operates at the intersection of clean energy advocacy, strategic media, and civic participation to accelerate global decarbonization. We empower communities—particularly young voters—to take action in key states and at the federal level. Through our 501©(3), 501©(4), and Super PAC entities, we execute strategic campaigns to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy and hold decision-makers accountable. 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. They are 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
We seek a seasoned Political Director to be a key leader in developing and executing our electoral, advocacy, and civic engagement strategies. This role will lead efforts to build and implement a high-impact political program that includes candidate engagement, issue advocacy, voter mobilization, and coalition-building. The Political Director will play a critical role in shaping and executing electoral strategies across our seven key states, ensuring that climate champions are elected and climate policies are prioritized at every level of government.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and coalition builder with at least 7 years of experience leading large-scale political campaigns. They should be well-versed in electoral strategy, issue advocacy, political data, and field organizing, with a deep understanding of how to leverage nonprofit structures to advance climate policy and clean energy goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement multi-state electoral strategies to elect climate champions and advance clean energy policies.
- Oversee independent expenditure campaigns, candidate engagement, and voter mobilization efforts in alignment with our advocacy goals.
- Work across the organization’s 501©(3), 501©(4) and Super PAC entities to maximize impact while ensuring compliance with legal and ethical guidelines.
- Lead the organization’s electoral targeting and voter outreach strategy, ensuring alignment with demographic and geographic priorities.
- Develop and execute strategic advocacy campaigns to drive climate action at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Expand the organization’s civic engagement initiatives, including voter education, voter registration, and turnout programs emphasizing young and historically underrepresented voters.
- Build and strengthen partnerships with allied organizations, elected officials, labor unions, environmental groups, and community leaders.
- Oversee field programs, including paid canvassing, relational organizing, volunteer mobilization, and digital engagement efforts.
- Lead a team of organizers, consultants, and volunteers to execute high-impact voter contact programs, including door-to-door, phone banking, text messaging, and digital outreach.
- Analyze data to assess program effectiveness, inform strategy, and refine voter outreach and engagement tactics.
- Manage political and organizing staff, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director and senior leadership to set organizational priorities and ensure programmatic success.
- Work with the development team to secure funding for political and advocacy programs, including grant writing and donor engagement.
- Ensured compliance with campaign finance laws and nonprofit regulations across different organizational entities.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Minimum 7 years of experience in political campaigns, electoral strategy, issue advocacy, or government affairs.
- Demonstrated success in leading large-scale political campaigns, managing campaign budgets, and overseeing field programs.
- Deep understanding of electoral processes, voter engagement strategies, and the intersection of politics and climate policy.
- Experience working across 501©(3), 501©(4) and Super PAC structures preferred.
- Strong relationships with political leaders, advocacy groups, and movement partners.
- Proven experience working collaboratively across teams, fostering a culture of mutual support, shared goals, and collective success.
- Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Commitment to climate action and a clean energy future.
- Ability to contribute to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable work environment, with an understanding of how systemic inequities impact our work.
- A growth mindset with a willingness to adapt, take initiative, and seek opportunities for learning and improvement
- Ability to manage time effectively, balance priorities, and adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining productivity and well-being.
- A results-driven mindset with a track record of following through on commitments, taking responsibility for outcomes, and continuously striving for excellence.
- Flexibility to work irregular hours as needed and a willingness to travel for field-based activities and partner meetings.
Compensation:
- Annual salary range: $130,000-150,000, commensurate with experience
- Generous benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, 403b retirement savings plan, Vacation, Sabbatical, Paid Parental Leave, 2 Floating Holidays, 2 Community Service Floating Holidays, sick time, two weeks of full-staff time off (July 4 week and Christmas-New Years week) and 13 observed holidays
- ACE is an equal-opportunity employer that highly values staff diversity
- Location: Remote (US only)
If you meet the majority of the above qualifications, please apply. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
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.
