Senior Project Director

Job Description

Company Description

The Clean Energy States Alliance is a national, nonprofit coalition of state agencies and other public entities working together to advance clean energy. CESA has brought about transformative change in clean energy over the last 23 years as it has assisted states across the US in developing and implementing effective policies and programs. CESA staff provide guidance, policy analysis, technical assistance, and informational resources that enable policymakers to make informed choices on clean energy programs and market development strategies. With a commitment to expanding the benefits of clean energy to all, CESA serves as a convenor and information-sharing resource for many of the most innovative, successful, and influential public funders of clean energy initiatives in the country. Learn more about the organization and its impactful work at www.cesa.org.

Role Description

The Senior Project Director will fill an important role for CESA, combining management, analysis, fundraising, and engagement with government officials and nonprofit organizations. The Senior Project Director will be responsible for overall leadership of the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Acceleration Initiative, a major new project that seeks to help states, local governments, communities, and financial institutions deploy and scale VPPs. The person in this role will be responsible for coordinating with partner organizations on this project—World Resources Institute, Clean Energy Group, and Justice Climate Fund—and will set and manage CESA’s priorities for the initiative, which will focus on work with states. Specific tasks will include analysis and writing related to VPPs; organizing and participating in meetings with state officials and other stakeholders; fundraising for the VPP Acceleration Initiative; and helping to develop and implement communications strategies related to making the case for VPPs and for addressing electricity load growth while decarbonizing.

The Senior Project Director will also work on other CESA projects, with the exact projects being determined by the individual’s prior experiences, skills, interests, and CESA’s needs. Possible areas of involvement include solar, energy affordability, energy storage, strategic messaging on clean energy, or others. The position will report to CESA’s Executive Director.

Responsibilities

Management

· Lead overall planning and management for the VPP Acceleration Initiative

· Organize and facilitate internal team meetings for the VPP Acceleration Initiative, and track team progress

· Supervise at least one CESA project director

· Manage the work of consultants, interns, and research fellows

· Coordinate with CESA’s partner organizations on the VPP Acceleration Initiative

· As appropriate, coordinate with other organizations relevant to VPP advancement, including state agencies, funders, developers, utilities, federal agencies, and other stakeholders

· Play an active role, including project management, on at least one other topic, such as solar, energy affordability, state strategic messaging, or energy storage

· Support administrative processes such as the development of consultant contracts and the management of budgets

Research and Analysis

· Research and write informational resources for states, such as explainers, white papers, and analyses pertaining to VPPs and other topics

· Provide technical assistance to state agencies, including developing or reviewing program models, requests for proposals, template agreements, communication material, outreach material, and other relevant material as requested by states

· Coordinate with other technical assistance providers to build on each other’s resources and avoid duplicative work

Development

· Play a lead role in identifying and cultivating funding prospects and/or funding partners for the VPP Acceleration Initiative

· Prepare proposals and application materials for funding opportunities, as well as reporting on existing funded activities

Communications and Outreach

· Work with other CESA staff and VPP Acceleration Initiative partners to set communications strategies and to produce materials for a wide range of audiences

· Organize public webinars and state-only meetings, including identifying speakers and hosting selected meetings

· Develop and cultivate relationships with state leaders, federal agencies, national labs, and nonprofits

Other tasks may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications - Desired

· At least eight years’ work experience at a level comparable to a project director

· Strong management skills, including experience supervising staff and consultants

· Knowledge of and experience with clean energy policy

· Knowledge of state-level energy programs

· This position requires learning about new topics based on state needs, and therefore requires a proactive approach to deep learning, and curiosity in approaching new subject matter.

Qualifications - Preferred

· Training in environmental policy, law, environmental management, business administration, or economics

· Experience with VPPs, solar projects, energy equity initiatives, energy storage or other technologies and topics that CESA addresses

· Experience working with state and federal governments

· Experience developing communications materials for a range of audiences

· Wide-ranging connections to people working to advance clean energy

Understanding of the electricity grid and regulatory processes

This is for you if:

· You are passionate about the clean energy transition and energy justice, and believe in the power of people to change the world for the better

· You are an excellent manager, writer, researcher, and communicator

· You enjoy project management and handle it efficiently

· You are comfortable with details and understand the importance of providing accurate information to state officials

· You are proactive and interested in learning and experimentation

· You can pick up new skills and content knowledge quickly and are interested in doing so

· You are comfortable working in a small team within a remote work environment, and, like us, believe that no task is too small or too big for you.

Availability

This is a full-time, exempt position, with responsibilities commencing upon hire.

Location and work environment

CESA employees can choose to work remotely or in the Montpelier, VT office, or a combination of remote and in-office work. We offer a flexible workplace environment with a casual dress code. CESA is committed to ensuring employees have the tools they need to perform their job duties whether working remotely or in the office and can make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated starting salary is $86,000-$95,000, depending upon prior experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance with 10% employee cost contribution; life insurance; generous matching of retirement plan contributions; starting four-weeks paid time off; and paid sick days, parental leave, and company holidays.

Travel

Domestic travel several times per year is expected. Business travel typically lasts from two to three days with some weekend travel necessary.

To Apply

Submit a letter of interest and resume via email to careers@cleanegroup.org. The letter of interest should highlight why you are interested, your experience with clean energy, and your knowledge and experience with state-level policymaking.

Applicants who do not provide these materials as described will not be considered.

For the email’s subject line, enter “Senior Project Director.” Review of applications will begin on May 12, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.