About the Position 

The Program Director will be primarily responsible for forming and managing a grants program that identifies high-leverage advocacy opportunities to achieve energy market reforms that reduce costs and slash greenhouse gas pollution. This is inherently a multi-faceted role. The successful candidate sees energy and climate advocacy through many lenses—equity, economic, legal, technical, and communications—and can effectively balance and meld those perspectives in a grantmaking strategy. This position also requires creativity. HCI supports important tried-and-true advocacy, but the Program Director will also develop promising but untested approaches to breaking the grip of fossil fuels on the economy. Finally, this job is best suited to individuals who seek to channel their professional experiences and skills into social impact on a national scale. The person in this role will help write the playbook for the organization, using their expertise and understanding of climate and energy issues to find, target, and correct the manipulation of our laws and markets that favors fossil generation at the expense of consumers and clean energy. 

The essential functions of the position are:  

• Co-creating and periodically re-evaluating the strategy for HCI’s grantmaking.  

• Working with potential grantees and renewing grantees.  

• Coordinating with HCI’s grantees to ensure the maximum level of effectiveness in their collective work by, for example, sharing lessons learned.  

• Developing and maintaining expertise in the legal, policy, technical, and economic aspects of energy and climate issues.    

• Cultivating relationships with a network of organizers, policy experts, analysts, academics, peer professionals in the philanthropic sector, and other allies.  

• Assessing potential new directions and projects for HCI’s grantmaking.  

• Producing written materials for HCI’s funders and other audiences.  

The Program Director will work with and report to the Executive Director and will receive support from the Operations Manager. This full-time position is based in Charlottesville, Virginia. HCI has a hybrid work model. Remote work from other locations may be considered.   

Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements 

The ideal candidate will possess:  

• At least four years, and preferably eight or more, of full-time work experience in energy, environmental, climate, or related fields, such as clean energy economics and finance, energy markets, environmental justice, or utility regulatory policy.  

• Preferably an advanced degree in law, public policy, economics, or related discipline, or equivalent work experience.  

• An understanding of the dynamics underlying the energy system and how policy can accelerate the transition to a cleaner system.  

• Experience conducting analysis to develop strategic frameworks and recommendations and an ability to make effective course corrections.  

• Experience incorporating diverse, frontline perspectives and considerations of equity into strategic decision-making.  

• A natural comfort with working behind the scenes and building strong relationships and partnerships that improve outcomes.  

• Relationships in the climate and clean energy advocacy sector, including the clean energy industry, nonprofits, and experts.  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  

• Ability and eagerness to learn quickly and independently.  

• Strong project management, organization, and prioritization skills.  

 
About HCI 

The Horizon Climate Initiative is a nonprofit 501(c)3 dedicated to bending down the arc of greenhouse gas pollution by concentrating on ending practices that favor fossil fuel electricity generation at the expense of consumers and clean energy. We accomplish this by crafting comprehensive strategies with our allies to dismantle market manipulation through coordinated campaigns and providing financial support to implement those strategies. To fully execute the work, HCI also seeks to attract additional funding resources. We are a lean organization but through our expertise and focus aim to have an outsized impact on the fight for a just, prosperous, and transformed clean energy economy. 

Compensation 

The salary range for this position starts at $150,000, commensurate with experience, education, training, and skill level. We provide an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and retirement benefits and paid time off.  

To Apply 

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to careers@horizonclimate.org.  

HCI is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity and equity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.