Chaloner has partnered with the Corporate Energy Buyers Association on the search for a Director, State Government Affairs to join their team. This role is based in Washington D.C. but is open to exceptional candidates in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and California.

Our Guiding Values and Tenets 

The Corporate Energy Buyers Association is a business association with a mission to activate buyers and partners to advance low-cost, reliable, carbon-emissions free global energy systems.

We are grounded in respect for people and the planet, integrity in how we conduct ourselves, service to our mission, stakeholders, and colleagues, and excellence in all of our programs and work. At CEBA, we strive to foster a culture that is mission-driven and strategy-grounded, built on a spirit of partnership both within and beyond our organization, and energized by innovation and entrepreneurship through healthy, respectful dialogue.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Vice President, Government Affairs, the Director, State Government Affairs will build and lead CEBA’s state government affairs function within the Government Affairs team. The team holds primary responsibility to inform and influence public policy by building advocacy strategies to further the organization’s goals. This role will extend CEBA’s federal advocacy model to the states, translating CEBA’s major state policy objectives into pragmatic strategies that build political support and help deliver policy outcomes, while building CEBA’s political brand in the states and sowing seeds for future, longer-term wins.

Many of the decisions that determine whether our members can procure low-cost, reliable, carbon emissions free energy are made in state legislatures, governors’ offices, and state agencies. CEBA is active in a number of states, and we expect this role to have an initial focus on states which could include Louisiana and Pennsylvania, but CEBA is also active in driving legislative outcomes in Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and California with scope expanding to broader state-level advocacy nationwide over time. Expertise in any of these states will be a considerable advantage for a candidate, but the ability to be flexible as CEBA’s priorities evolve is key. The role works in close coordination with CEBA’s policy team, who leads policy development and engagement in the states with Public Utility Commissions, state agencies, and non-elected officials. 

To leverage the voice of our 300+ members, whose combined market capitalization exceeds $30T, requires world class stakeholder management. The Director will leverage relationships with our corporate members’ state government affairs teams and lobbyists, state legislators and their staff, governors and political appointees, a coalition of NGO and policy partners, and CEBA’s own contract lobbyists.

For staff based in Washington, DC, the position offers a hybrid work arrangement. The government affairs team generally works in office on Mondays through Thursdays, with Fridays as work from home.

Core Responsibilities:

• Lead development and execution of state advocacy strategies to advance CEBA’s policy priorities in core states through lobbying, education, intelligence gathering, and campaign management, coordinated with CEBA’s federal advocacy to leverage synergies across both levels of government.
• Lead engagement with state legislators, governors, politically appointed officials, and their staff in focus states, and coordinate ad hoc political engagement in other states.
• Coordinate closely with CEBA’s state policy team. Help translate member priorities into advocacy plans and assess policy proposals for political viability.
• Coordinate CEBA’s use of contract lobbyists in a number of states, including selection, direction, performance, and budget, and ensure their work is aligned across states.
• Build, steward, and leverage relationships with corporate members’ state government affairs teams and lobbyists, coalition partners, and external allies to amplify CEBA’s voice in the states.
• Oversee state lobbying registration, reporting, and ethics compliance for CEBA activity across states.
• Prepare regular internal, external, and member-facing communications 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of relevant experience in state advocacy or in state legislatures, including substantial experience lobbying state officials on behalf of a company, trade association, or coalition; or senior experience working for a state legislative leader, committee, or governor’s office.
• A political network on both sides of the aisle at the legislator, senior staff, and committee staff level in one or more states, and the flexibility and ability to build such networks quickly in new states as CEBA’s priorities evolve.
• A solid and broad understanding of state legislative processes, the behaviors and norms of state legislatures, and their interaction with governors’ offices, state agencies, and Public Utility Commissions.
• A broad understanding of energy, utility, or electricity markets.
• An ability to register as a lobbyist in multiple states, and an understanding of state lobbying registration, reporting, gift rules, and ethics compliance.
• Superb and demonstrable communications skills.
• Ability to travel up to 30%. Travel may be higher during key legislative session periods.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing contract lobbyists and coordinating advocacy across multiple states.
• Existing relationships and expertise in Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, or Louisiana.
• Experience in a trade or business association, or leading state government affairs for an organization or in the private sector.
• Experience standing up a new function or workstream within an organization.
• A professional and personal commitment to CEBA’s vision and core values of respect, integrity, service, and excellence (RISE).
• A strong collaborator who operates effectively in a matrixed environment across Government Affairs and Policy teams.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, balancing structure, process, and urgency.
• A calm approach to managing multiple tasks and the ability to independently prioritize work across states and partners.
• The ability to think strategically while operating tactically.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This role does not currently have direct reports. The Director will coordinate management of CEBA’s contract state lobbyists and state advocacy activity with Policy team staff 

Compensation and Benefits:

The expected base salary for this role ranges from $175,000 to $200,000, depending on experience and qualifications. All CEBA employees are eligible to participate in the annual bonus incentive plan, which is based on both organizational and individual performance, up to 20% for this role.  

CEBA provides a competitive benefits package that includes highly-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance plans. In addition, CEBA offers employer-paid life and disability coverage (both short- and long-term), monthly cell phone stipends, optional flexible spending and savings accounts, a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an attractive 401(k) match of up to 5%, subject to IRS limitations. Along with 11 federal holidays, paid time off during the period between Christmas and New Year's, and Sick & Safe leave, employees also enjoy unlimited PTO.

At CEBA You Belong: 

CEBA knows that inclusiveness not only makes our organization stronger but also is foundational to our mission success because innovative solutions come from great minds who do not think alike. Our commitment to inclusiveness is embodied in company policy and the way we do business at CEBA and is an important principle of sound business management. All CEBA staff shall be committed to accepting and encouraging different perspectives. Creative solutions to tough problems are fostered by respectful challenges of one another’s thoughts and assumptions. 

CEBA provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, results of genetic testing, caregiver status, and past, present or prospective service in the military in addition to any other protected categories required by state, federal or local regulations. Equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, discipline, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, benefits and training. All of your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.  

To Apply:

To be considered for this opportunity, please provide a resume and cover letter.

Interested candidates should apply by using the application form. Chaloner will review all applicants and, upon qualification, contact you to determine next steps.