ACORE Director, Siting

Position Title: Director, Siting Campaigns Department: Siting Campaigns Reporting To: VP, Grid Campaigns Who We Are: ACORE is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that operates at the intersection of affordability, reliability, and clean energy deployment. Our work is focused on stabilizing energy prices, strengthening the electric grid, and driving investment in cost-effective technologies to ensure that clean energy delivers for people, businesses, and the U.S. economy. Who We’re Looking For: Utility-scale renewable energy deployment is under acute threat at the local and state levels. Well-funded opponents are using misinformation to encourage NIMBYism and halt projects, pass overly restrictive siting ordinances, and erode the public and political will needed to build the clean energy grid America needs. More than 15% of U.S. counties have effectively halted wind and solar development, and restrictive county ordinances have grown nearly fivefold in just four years. To meet this moment, ACORE is launching the Siting America campaign, a national effort to bolster state- and county-based renewable energy advocacy, arm ally groups with accurate and culturally relevant information, and increase the coordination and effectiveness of supporters in priority states. This is a founding position where you will launch and lead this campaign, overseeing the operational and strategic efforts in collaboration with the ACORE team and a network of regional partner organizations and Local Siting Organizers (LSOs). In the near term, you will function as both strategic leader and hands-on campaign manager, standing up coordination mechanisms, onboarding regional partners, and hitting early grant milestones. Throughout, you will work closely with ACORE's policy, development, grid campaigns and communications staff, drawing on the full depth of the organization to move the campaign forward. This is an opportunity for a leader who is energized by building something consequential from the ground up, and who can shift fluidly between strategy and execution as the campaign matures. Key job duties: Campaign Leadership & Strategy Lead day-to-day execution and long-term strategy for the Siting America campaign, ACORE’s multi-state effort to defend and advance pro-renewable energy siting policy. Serve as the primary liaison between ACORE and the campaign’s regional partner organizations. Assist Local Siting Organizers (LSOs) embedded in priority states, ensuring their work is coordinated and connected to national resources. Develop and track campaign success metrics in partnership with regional partners and siting allies, adjusting strategy as conditions evolve. Partner & Stakeholder Coordination Cultivate and maintain trusted working relationships with allied siting groups. Facilitate regular convenings – virtual and in-person – bringing together LSOs, regional partners, siting allies, and renewable energy developers to share intelligence and co-develop strategy. Work with ACORE’s membership and regional partners to develop greater transparency between project developers and siting advocates, including best-practice guidance on community engagement. Represent ACORE and the Siting America campaign to external audiences, including at conferences and with philanthropic partners. Research, Communications & New Assets Oversee development of new siting-related collateral, including fact sheets, polling, model ordinances, and communications materials for use by LSOs and partners. Oversee local and state earned media strategy, including management of public affairs contractors and placement of opinion content, event creation, and news stories in priority markets. Ensure LSOs and regional partners have access to and training on key siting databases and advocacy tools. Budget & Grant Management Manage the Siting America campaign budget, including subgrants to regional partners and discretionary resources for cross-state tactics. Work with ACORE’s Development team to maintain and grow philanthropic funding for the campaign, including stewardship of key funders and support for grant reporting. Work with the Manager, Membership & Development to ensure subgrant agreements with regional partner organizations are executed, compliant, and aligned with campaign goals. The Must-Haves: 8–12+ years of experience in advocacy, issue campaigns, or public affairs, with meaningful exposure to energy, land use, or rural community engagement. Demonstrated experience managing multi-partner, multi-state campaigns – including managing staff or contractors across geographies. Strong understanding of state and local political dynamics, particularly in rural or politically mixed environments. Experience with or knowledge of renewable energy siting, permitting, and/or land use policy, whether from an industry, advocacy, or government perspective. Excellent written and verbal communicator, with the ability to represent ACORE with a range of stakeholders. Experience managing budgets, grants, or sub-grant agreements. The Perks of Working at ACORE: Competitive salary. Robust health care options. Generous vacation policy with 15 vacation days in your first year. 11 federal holidays, plus the week between Christmas and New Years. Paid parental leave. Hybrid work schedule with three days a week in office. 401(k) retirement plan that includes an employer contribution. Educational assistance program. Talented team members who care deeply about our mission and one another. Non-Discrimination ACORE is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Compensation: $135,000-$160,000