Policy Associate - Virginia

Position Description

Advanced Energy United (United) is currently seeking a Policy Associate to join our Virginia legislative team.

The legislative team works with the Governor's office, key lawmakers in the legislature, state energy officials and other policymakers to form, shape and implement legislation that drives the procurement and development of clean energy solutions. Our work helps policymakers understand the benefits behind our technologies and the challenges that prevent our members from deploying them or limiting their access to all ratepayers.

We ensure policymakers understand our advanced energy products, services, and business models, as well as the policy and political solutions we need to unleash them.

Through 1:1 engagements, legislation, regulatory comments, coalition relationships, political events, conferences, business roundtables, and timely funder updates, United works to ensure key lawmakers have the knowledge and information they need to propel advanced energy technologies and services to their constituents and help to solve the challenges in obtaining their benefits.

Reporting directly to the Policy Director, the Policy Associate will be responsible for driving legislation and supporting state-level campaigns that accelerate the deployment of clean energy projects and programs across the Commonwealth of Virginia. This task requires long hours in Richmond during the legislative session and frequent interactions with lawmakers, member companies and coalition partners outside of the official legislative session.

The ideal candidate has strong project coordination, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills, along with the ability to navigate evolving political and regulatory dynamics affecting the energy sector.

While prior expertise in state energy policy is not required, successful candidates should demonstrate an interest in energy policy issues, a foundational understanding of the sector, and the ability to communicate effectively with external stakeholders and decisionmakers regarding United's policy priorities.

The ideal candidate is proactive, adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities. Candidates may be asked to travel outside the Richmond area approximately 1-2 times per quarter to meet with key stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of state-level legislative and advocacy campaigns.
• Conduct research on industry insights, state energy markets, political landscapes, policy developments, and key stakeholders to help inform advocacy strategies and campaign priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, advocacy organizations, coalition partners, industry stakeholders, and regulatory staff.
• Support engagement with decisionmakers and help communicate United's policy priorities clearly and professionally.
• Use project management tools and internal systems to help track progress, manage deliverables, and support both short- and long-term advocacy goals.
• Maintain organized records and documentation to support knowledge of United's member companies, lawmakers, advocates and other stakeholders.
• Assist in preparing updates, reports, and presentations on legislative progress, outcomes, and key metrics for internal and external stakeholders, including United's member companies.
• Assist with drafting regulatory comments in support of legislative implementation efforts.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 0-3 years of professional experience, preferably in policy analysis, campaigns, and/or policy advocacy.
• Experience working on advocacy or policy affecting the advanced energy industry is a plus.
• A commitment to and track record of work that aligns with United's Core Values.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and navigate technical subject matter to inform communication with decisionmakers.
• Independent self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit; candidates must be very comfortable working with colleagues in a remote environment, creating new projects, learning about upcoming technologies in the advanced energy sector, managing their own calendar, and delivering on high expectations.
• Strong interpersonal skills required; candidates must be able to successfully support productive relationships with member companies, key stakeholders, including policymakers, advocacy groups, industry experts, and regulators.
• Experience managing confidential information and intelligence.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Entrepreneurial sensibility comfortable with high levels of ambiguity and fluidity.
• Willingness to travel as needed outside of the Richmond area (up to 15%).

Physical Requirements

The employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is required to sit for long periods of time; reach with hands and arms; may need to balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, walk up and down stairs.

• Job type: Full-time, regular (residence in the U.S. required)
• Location: Remote, must reside in or around Richmond, VA
• Start date: N ovember/December 2027
• Salary: Starting at $64,000

Advanced Energy United Perks Include

• Remote work and flexible schedule
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Flexible spending plans for health care and dependent care
• Profit sharing opportunities and annual merit-based compensation increases
• $75/month personal wellness reimbursement
• $100/month Technology subsidy
• Up to $200 reimbursement for home office set-up
• Accrued Paid Time Off, 11 federal holidays, and an annual end-of-year closure
• 12 Weeks of Parental Leave
• Professional development reimbursement
• 401(k) plan (with matching incentives)
• WMATA Transit Smart Benefits (DC, MD, VA employees)

• We are committed to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across our organization ("DEIJ").
• We also incorporate these values into our mission of making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable.
• We know that varied perspectives and a commitment to social justice are needed to succeed in making the United States an advanced energy economy.
• We commit to building and supporting an inclusive workforce that represents different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints.