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Role Description

The R Street Institute seeks a Policy Director to lead and grow our Energy and Environment program. This is a senior leadership role with three equally important dimensions:

• Driving substantive policy research and thought leadership
• Managing and developing a talented team
• Building philanthropic relationships and resources for long-term ambitions

The selected candidate will be the leader and chief visionary of R Street’s energy program, which maintains a full-time staff and draws support from a broad range of corporate and foundation donors. The ideal candidate should value free markets and understand the risks created by climate change.

You will report to the Vice President of Organizational Performance and Advancement and work closely with various teams.

A typical day may include:

• Meeting with a foundation program officer to present the program’s research roadmap
• Reviewing and strengthening an analyst’s explainer on transmission planning or interconnection reform
• Drafting public comments in response to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission notice
• Coordinating with Business Development to create a grant proposal
• Speaking with coalition partners or policymakers about permitting modernization
• Working with Communications to sharpen talking points for media appearances
• Coaching a fellow to focus their analysis on climate change adaptation

You will work collaboratively across the organization almost every day.

Qualifications

• No particular educational background is required; demonstrated results are valued over credentials.
• Genuine enthusiasm for R Street’s commitment to free markets and limited, effective government.
• A track record of cultivating relationships with philanthropic and corporate funders.
• Experience managing staff and guiding their professional development.
• Deep substantive knowledge across at least one of the program’s three pillars.
• Top-tier writing skills and the ability to translate complex analysis for varied audiences.
• Comfort synthesizing research across various methods.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively across ideological and stakeholder lines.
• A self-starter orientation with strong situational judgment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• A sense of humor.

Requirements

• Drive the program’s financial sustainability by cultivating and closing philanthropic support.
• Set and execute the program’s research agenda, managing priorities and quality.
• Represent R Street externally to advance policy impact and funding position.
• Manage, coach, and develop program staff, helping them scope work and deepen analysis.
• Contribute original policy analysis, op-eds, regulatory comments, and public testimony.
• Edit and elevate written products to ensure they meet R Street’s research standards.
• Maintain current expertise across key legislation and research in energy and environmental policy.
• Engage in conferences and media appearances to translate complex analysis for varied audiences.

Benefits

• Unlimited paid time off, including all federal holidays and a two-week holiday closure in December.
• Alternating Fridays off.
• A health insurance option entirely paid by the employer.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) contributions with up to a 4 percent match.
• HSA employer contribution match.
• Quarterly wellness reimbursement.
• Mobile equipment/mobile plan reimbursement.
• Home internet subsidy.
• Annual educational and professional development reimbursement.
• A choice between child care assistance, pet care assistance, and student loan repayment assistance.