Director, Clean Energy

Lawyers for Good Government • Full-time • Remote (Washington, DC, US) • $155k / year • 2w ago

As a key leader within L4GG’s Climate Change & Environmental Justice (CCEJ) Program, the Director of Clean Energy will play a central role in shaping and executing our nationwide clean energy initiative. This position will focus on ensuring the equitable implementation of transformative federal laws, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to accelerate a just transition to a green economy. The Director will oversee a national team of attorneys, provide strategic guidance to public agencies and community organizations, and drive policy advocacy to address both climate change and environmental justice.

Reporting to the Vice President of CCEJ, this role involves substantial leadership responsibilities, including managing relationships with key stakeholders, guiding the legal strategy for high-impact clean energy projects, and ensuring the effective delivery of technical assistance on federal funding programs. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced attorney to influence federal, state, and local clean energy policy while advancing equity and environmental justice at scale.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As Director of Clean Energy, your responsibilities will include:

Strategic Leadership & Program Management:

Lead the nationwide effort to ensure the equitable implementation of the IRA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with a focus on clean energy projects.
Develop and execute L4GG’s strategy for engaging public agencies, green banks, local governments, and community-based organizations to maximize the impact of federal clean energy funding.
Direct the expansion of L4GG’s Clean Energy Clinic to support the financing and implementation of clean energy projects in underserved communities.
Collaborate with other senior leaders to integrate clean energy considerations into L4GG’s broader advocacy and legal work across all program areas.
Ensure the successful delivery of technical assistance, policy guidance, and legal representation to hundreds of state and local decision-makers, agencies, and CBOs.
Identify and prioritize key areas for legal innovation and public finance solutions to help finance clean energy projects in distressed communities, leveraging IRA programs, including the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

Stakeholder Engagement & Thought Leadership:

Serve as a thought leader and advocate for equitable clean energy policy at the federal, state, and local levels.
Build and maintain relationships with high-level stakeholders, including government officials, nonprofits, private sector actors, and other key partners to advance L4GG’s mission.
Represent L4GG in high-profile public forums, conferences, and media, presenting on legal issues related to clean energy financing and equitable climate policy.
Act as a trusted advisor to policymakers and agency leaders, providing expert legal counsel on the implementation of IRA programs and other federal funding initiatives.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building:

Lead, mentor, and manage a growing team of attorneys and legal professionals focused on clean energy issues.
Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive work environment that promotes professional development and high performance.
Oversee the allocation of resources, ensuring the team is positioned to meet both short- and long-term strategic goals.
Provide guidance to staff on complex legal matters, ensuring the highest standard of legal and ethical practices.

External Partnerships & Fundraising:

Identify and cultivate new funding opportunities to support L4GG’s clean energy initiatives, including federal grants, private-sector partnerships, and philanthropic donations.
Engage with key stakeholders to influence policy changes and secure additional resources for the clean energy transition.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess:

Education: Law degree (J.D.) with a strong record of academic achievement.
Experience: 8+ years of experience in clean energy law, regulatory law, environmental law, or administrative law, with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity.
IRA Expertise: Direct experience with the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, including clean energy tax credits and other key programs.
Proven Leadership: Experience managing and leading teams of attorneys, legal professionals, and cross-functional staff.
Equity Commitment: A deep commitment to advancing racial and environmental justice through legal strategies and community engagement.
Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to work with and influence high-level stakeholders, including public officials, government agencies, corporate partners, and community organizations.
Advocacy Skills: Strong experience in policy advocacy, including the ability to navigate complex legislative, regulatory, and funding processes.
Technical Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate complex legal and policy issues clearly to diverse audiences, including in high-pressure or public settings.
Strong Analytical Skills: Excellent judgment, creativity, and problem-solving abilities in identifying innovative legal solutions to address climate and energy challenges.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience with digital tools for project management (Asana, Airtable, etc.), legal research, or team collaboration tools.
Comfort with public speaking, including presenting to government agencies, at conferences, or in the media.
High level of technological competence, including experience using digital tools and platforms for case management, legal research, and team collaboration.