Head of Regulatory

Overview

The organization is seeking a full-time Head of Regulatory to build and lead a new Regulatory Team. This senior role drives the organization’s regulatory strategy and execution, including engagement with state public utilities commissions (PUCs) and regulatory dockets such as rate cases, integrated resource plan proceedings, and rulemakings.

The Head of Regulatory will serve on the executive leadership team and work closely with the Policy and Communications teams to advance impact in regulatory venues. This is a remote position reporting directly to the Founder and Executive Director.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Oversee the Regulatory Team, including a full-time Program Manager, a full-time Analyst, and part-time Senior Advisors
• Lead Regulatory Team meetings on a weekly basis
• Serve on the executive leadership team and provide counsel on regulatory issues, opportunities, developments, and strategy
• Mentor junior team members on programmatic and organizational issues
• Lead talent recruitment and hiring (in partnership with the Chief of Staff and Executive Director) as the team grows
• Define scopes for and direct the work of Senior Advisors and regulatory consultants

Regulatory Strategy and Execution

• Develop the organization’s annual regulatory strategy, including identification of team goals, OKRs, and an internal calendar with key dates and timelines, in partnership with the Executive Director
• Execute regulatory engagement strategy for major utility regulatory proceedings, including rate cases, integrated resource plan proceedings, and rulemaking dockets, based on priority dockets
• Set and direct engagement strategy for priority proceedings, including media and public engagement; oversee compliance with applicable procedural and ex parte rules
• Make final decisions on docket prioritization, engagement strategy, and the substance of filings and testimony within the approved strategy
• Develop strategy for and oversee engagement on key utility regulatory rulemaking opportunities, including implementation of legislative and policy priorities in partnership with the Policy Team
• Assess opportunities for intervention at federal utility regulatory proceedings (e.g., FERC dockets and technical conferences) and in regional transmission organization (RTO) governance and stakeholder processes
• Support development of an “expert bench” of regulatory, technical, and legal experts to provide substantive expertise on key topics

Coalition Building

• Oversee grant-funded projects supporting partner intervention and engagement in utility regulatory proceedings
• Conduct landscape assessments of current and target coalition partners to engage on utility regulatory issues
• Build partnerships reflecting a commitment to bipartisan, multi-sectoral, and cross-customer class engagement
• Lead development of multi-state consumer advocacy engagement, including development of a regulatory playbook, engagement strategy, and case studies database
• Provide direct technical assistance and strategy advising to partners, including consumer advocates, to strengthen PUC advocacy
• Conduct “utility regulation 101” briefings for partners less familiar with utility regulatory issues

Research, Analysis, and Writing

• Oversee tracking and monitoring of key regulatory developments and proceedings across the country
• Oversee tracking and analysis of utility rate increase requests, annual capital spending plans, and utility earnings calls that inform the organization’s flagship communications products
• Oversee development and updating of key regulatory products, including a docket and utility bill dashboard
• Lead drafting and preparation of written communications, testimony, and thought leadership as needed

External Representation and Fundraising

• Serve as the primary voice on regulatory issues with commissioners and commission staff, intervenors, consumer advocates, and other regulatory stakeholders, coordinating with the Executive Director on highest-stakes relationships
• Serve as a regulatory spokesperson with reporters and media
• Support development and reporting of fundraising proposals
• Maintain an internal tracker of major regulatory accomplishments and successes to inform the organization’s impact
• Attend relevant events and conferences (e.g., NARUC, NASUCA)

Cross-Team Coordination

• Participate in select meetings with policymakers and provide direct advising in support of the Policy Team
• Coordinate with the Communications Team to equip reporters and other media partners with key 101-level materials relevant to regulatory work
• Partner with the Chief of Staff on cross-team prioritization and capacity planning, including Communications Team and Policy Team support for regulatory priorities

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in utility regulation, preferably from a public utilities commission, state consumer advocate office, attorney general office, or issue advocacy background
• Experience managing, mentoring, and developing staff, including strong leadership skills and emotional intelligence
• Proven record developing and executing multi-state policy or regulatory campaigns that delivered tangible outcomes aligned with the public interest
• Deep familiarity with utility regulatory processes across multiple state jurisdictions, including working knowledge of procedural rules such as intervention eligibility, ex parte restrictions, and confidentiality
• Established relationships with consumer advocates, public utilities commissions, and regulatory networks
• Deep knowledge of energy and utility policy, including how utility legislation and regulation interact
• Fluency in utility ratemaking and resource planning, including revenue requirements, cost allocation and rate design, integrated resource plans, and utility financial filings
• Experience working across the political spectrum and keeping positions nonpartisan in a politically sensitive issue area
• Experience building and managing coalitions with diverse partners
• Excellent writing and communication skills; ability to translate complex policy into clear products for policymakers and represent the organization in a diverse range of settings
• Comfort operating as both a senior strategic leader and a hands-on individual contributor on a small team in a rapidly growing organization
• Ability to travel approximately 10 to 20 percent of the time
• Comfort building systems and processes in a startup environment

Preferred Qualifications

• JD, or experience serving as an expert witness in utility regulatory proceedings
• Familiarity with FERC and RTO governance and stakeholder processes
• Experience with state siting and permitting, or with regulatory implementation of grid technology policies
• Experience supporting grant proposals and funder reporting
• Experience scoping and managing consultants, lobbyists, and budgets

Compensation & Benefits

• Expected salary range: $175,000-$225,000 (salary may be based on skills, qualifications, experience, location, and other factors)
• Benefits include unlimited PTO, paid holidays, health insurance, a 401k employer match, sick leave, and health and wellness benefits

Location

• Remote position
• Headquarters: Washington, DC
• Travel: approximately 10 to 20 percent of the time