Policy Associate - Virginia

About Advanced Energy United

Advanced Energy United is a national industry association representing businesses that provide the full range of advanced energy and transportation solutions. Our team works to educate, advocate, and activate in decisionmaker venues across the country.

We advocate for public policies that enable competition and work alongside our member companies to create economic opportunity, lower consumer costs, and bolster energy reliability and resilience across the country. We work with decision makers at every level of government as well as regulators of energy markets to build progress toward an economy built on advanced energy.

If you’re an entrepreneurial, innovative, analytical and thoughtful person looking to make an impact in the clean energy space, United might be the perfect place for you to share your talents. Team members at United are given the trust and responsibility to make big things happen, and myriad opportunities to learn new skills, explore new issue areas, and work with a broad cross section of the clean energy community. Being a team member at United also means working with a talented and diverse group of people, some who bring decades of experience spanning advocacy, philanthropy, clean tech, government and more—and our collaborative approach means we get to learn from each other, expert and novice, every day. And while our organization is fully remote, we are proud of the people-focused culture we have built and the connectedness of our team.

We work on serious issues, take our mission seriously, but never take ourselves too seriously.

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 physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

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: November/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)

Advanced Energy United is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application, interview process, and/ or to perform essential job functions please contact the Talent Acquisition team at careers@advancedenergyunited.org. 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.