The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking a full-time Policy Manager – Clean Energy to work in a Nebraska location that is suitable for the Center. The Policy Manager will serve as a team leader and work on key Clean Energy policy efforts.
The ideal candidate will be passionate about clean energy, networking, advocacy, and the legislative process. They will serve as team lead for a Policy portfolio and assist the Program Director and Assistant Director in guiding the program’s direction. This position is responsible for achieving policy objectives, overseeing and directing others, and prioritizing tasks.
Who We Are
The Center for Rural Affairs is a dynamic, energetic non-profit organization working to build a better rural future for all. We’ve done this work for more than 50 years, and we do it from rural places. Our work creates opportunities for beginning farmers, new business owners, and first-time advocates. The Center’s work is fueled by our compassionate, mission-driven staff who work for the betterment of rural communities, stewardship, and the next generation. Additional information can be found at www.cfra.org.
What You’ll Do
The Policy Manager reports to the Policy Director or Assistant Director, directs team members around a body of work, and is responsible for:
You will lead and assist with the Policy team’s efforts, including developing and managing project plans, prioritizing tasks, directing others, and adjusting strategy when needed.
You will assist the Policy Director and Assistant Director with directing and supervising a team of full-time staff who lead and/or conduct project activities.
You will provide independent direction, feedback, and recognition to team members through weekly 1-on-1s and quarterly conversations.
You will assist with interviewing, onboarding, training, and managing policy staff members, leading those efforts when they are focused on the portfolio you manage.
You will assist in strategy development and supervise fellow staff in the execution of strategy, leading those efforts when they are focused on the portfolio you manage.
You will oversee media communications for the portfolio you manage, in coordination with the Policy Communications associate.
You will seek out and identify grant opportunities and foster strong funder relationships.
You will draft, edit, and submit grant proposals and reports.
You will develop, draft, and manage work plans and budgets as well as execute strategy to carry out grant deliverables.
You will manage staff who are doing the work to execute deliverables for grants in your assigned portfolio.
You will conduct research to inform policy work and contribute to the development of media and reports.
You will build and maintain relationships with external constituencies, including coalition and grant partners.
Who You Are & Keys to Success (the must-haves)
To be successful in this job, you will excel in five areas:
Relationship-building: You develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders and can bring in allies and partners from communities statewide, such as people of color, people with disabilities, low-income families, military veterans, immigrants, farmers, and entrepreneurs. You know how to build alliances and find points of collaboration even when there are competing interests.
Drive to achieve results: You have a track record of accomplishing ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles. You set a high bar and meet it because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to anticipate hurdles and come up with pragmatic solutions. You plan backward and involve stakeholders appropriately.
Inclusive leadership and management: You approach leadership with a collaborative mindset and regularly include others in decision-making. You seek out those who have the experience to guide, advise, and plan how you approach the work.
Setting and managing priorities: You have experience managing multiple projects and keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks. You use resources wisely and can provide clear direction to staff, partners, consultants, and volunteers to leverage time and talent for impact.
Commitment to racial equity and social justice: You recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in addressing disparities. You recognize how your own identities show up in the work, and welcome feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.
Experience with research, writing, project management, and supervision is valuable.
If you were here right now, you would be:
Supervising to build strong teams and create feelings of belonging and strong team morale.
Planning to align and prioritize work to meet commitments and organizational goals.
Leading efforts to build formal and informal networks inside and outside the organization.
Creating competitive and out-of-the-box strategies that show clear connections between vision and action.
Maneuvering through the organizational maze of complex processes and people-related organizational dynamics to get things done.
Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently as you manage projects.
Taking on new opportunities, projects, and tough challenges with a sense of high energy and enthusiasm.
What Else You Should Know
This is a full-time exempt position based in an existing, newly established, or home office in Nebraska. This position will require occasional travel by car throughout the state to meet with communities and individuals and include both overnight and out-of-state travel on occasion. This position has a salary range of $57,500-$71,000 with top-notch benefits that have a cash value of $10,000 to $29,500, depending on family status and tenure with the Center.
