U.S. Energy Foundation’s (EF) mission is to secure a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. We envision a healthy, safe, equitable economy powered by clean energy. We believe a thriving clean energy economy can create sustainable opportunities, spur innovation, and protect our climate—for today and future generations.

Position Summary

The Co-State Director for Campaigns is a contract position that supports the work of the Energy Foundation (EF) in Illinois. The role involves serving in a leadership capacity for the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) and includes responsibilities such as campaign development and management as well as management of a professional consultant team. This role will work closely with the Co-State Director for the Coalition and will require close collaboration.

Primary responsibilities include the following:

Campaign Leadership:

The Co-State Director for Campaigns is a political expert of their state and has demonstrated experience managing issue-advocacy campaigns. The Co-State Director develops, manages, and leads issue advocacy campaigns and is able to inspire leadership and mutual accountability from campaign partners. Has proficiency in developing, executing, and monitoring multiple campaign plans and adapting them based on changing conditions, as needed.

The Co-State Director for Campaigns will work to support and build up the expertise of coalition partners by managing a team of professional consultants in service to the coalition and grantee network; identify campaign gaps and work to close them; challenge strategic assumptions (political theory, tactics, etc); and manage complex systems to ensure campaign benchmarks are tracked, evaluated, and opportunities seized.

The Co-State Director for Campaigns will work closely with campaign partners of the ICJC and will attend working group meetings and remain engaged in the campaigns to ensure support and success of the ICJC.

Consultant Management:

The Co-State Director for Campaigns will manage a professional consultant team who works on behalf of the coalition and EF grantee partners to support campaign efforts and achieve shared policy outcomes. This will include a weekly consultant team meeting and one on one meetings with the Illinois consultants as well as the Co-State Director to ensure aligned work plans and support of the consultants day to day work on behalf of EF and the ICJC. The Illinois consultant team includes, in addition to a second Co-State State Director, there are policy, government affairs, communications consultants.

State and Annual Planning:

The Co-Director for the Coalition will manage EF’s annual strategic planning process, coordinate input and provide support to grantees and consultants in executing and adjusting the jointly held goals and strategies over time and with special attention given to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Standardize check-ins with the Steering Committee and/or appropriate work group(s) to measure progress to goals each quarter or bi-monthly. Re-engage planning process on as needed basis to re-evaluate goals, strategies, and/or budget adjustments

Relationship Management and Fostering Accountability:

A key function of both Co-State Directors are the incubation, regular convening and facilitation of the ICJC, including campaign development and management, support of coalition working groups, and assisting organizations in developing trusted relationships with and among their coalition partners. The State Directors will engage directly with members of the ICJC via regular coalition meetings.

The State Directors will jointly facilitate the ICJC Steering Committee to ensure mutual accountability in coalition governance, implementation of norms, and strategic decision making of the ICJC. The State Directors will develop, maintain, and grow relationships with grantees, consultants, and partners who are leading, engaging in, and supporting the coalition and campaigns.

Other Notes: This is a consulting engagement (through either a consulting firm or independent contracting) that reports to the Energy Foundation Program Director—Midwest Campaigns. The State Director must reside in Illinois and have familiarity with the Illinois political and policy landscape. Some travel within the state will also be required.

Qualifications

1. Campaign Management: Proficiency in developing, executing, and monitoring multi-stream campaign plans and adapting them as needed.
2. Relationship Management: Strong interpersonal skills for developing, maintaining, and growing relationships with grantees, consultants, and stakeholders.
3. Leadership and Team Management: Expertise in overseeing and managing consultant teams and working groups.
4. Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for reporting, strategy summaries, and timely updates. Quick, same-day communication of relevant policy and regulatory outcomes to EF staff. Weekly updates on the status of campaigns to EF staff. Standardized debriefs and/or recaps at the end of each regulatory process, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin proceedings, and issue campaigns to evaluate key results and describe lessons learned.
5. Analytical Skills: Ability to monitor political and policy environments and provide actionable insights.
6. Issue advocacy experience and an understanding of Illinois’ state legislative process is important.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement:

Energy Foundation actively seeks to expand Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within our organization and through our work. We encourage people of color and candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.

Non-Lobbying Statement:

Every activity charged to the Energy Foundation will be strictly non-lobbying as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contract Evaluation Statement:

The efficacy of this contract will be measured by the utility provided to the Energy Foundation’s grantee network as determined in the course of ongoing EF staff solicitation of feedback from advocates.

Terms of Contract:

Please note this is a 12 month contract position, without benefits, with an option to renew upon the conclusion of the contract term. There are two contracts for this position: one with Energy Foundation for an annual retainer of $128,000 and the other with EF’s sister organization Energy Action Fund for an annual retainer of $12,000.

To Apply:

The priority deadline to apply is Friday, May 23, 2025. This search is being led by NRG Consulting Group. Please reach out to megan@nrgconsultinggroup.org and naomi@nrgconsultinggroup.org with any questions.

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