Senior Policy Advisor, Electricity

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Since our founding in 2005, we have served as a critical bulwark against political extremism by advancing values-driven, reform-oriented solutions on the defining issues of our time. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, security, and democratic capitalism, and we advocate for the vital center across seven major areas: climate and energy, economy, education, health care, national security, politics, and social policy.

The Senior Policy Advisor for Electricity will support the Climate and Energy Program’s (CEP) electricity portfolio and lead policy development and advocacy efforts focused on electricity affordability. This includes developing and advancing policies across one or more of the team’s core workstreams—electricity markets and regulation, power sector economics, utility business model reform, transmission financing, and the data center and electricity nexus—and communicating those policy ideas to key external stakeholders including Congressional offices, federal agencies, utilities, grid planners, and other NGOs . We expect the right candidate to bring deep expertise in one or more of these areas; workstreams outside their core expertise will be supported by consultants and team collaboration.

The Senior Policy Advisor for Electricity will…

• Own a core body of work within CEP’s electricity portfolio, including setting priorities, managing timelines, and ensuring delivery of high-quality outputs;

• Conduct and oversee in-depth research on policies to reform electricity markets, regulation, utility cost recovery, and transmission financing, with a focus on advancing electricity affordability;

• Author high-impact written reports, memos, and other products that influence the public discourse and advance center-left policies to promote electricity affordability;

• Develop a work plan, with input from supervisor, to set objectives for and contribute to CEP’s electricity portfolio as well as strategies, products, events, and other resources to advance those objectives;

• Collaborate with fellow NGOs and with regulatory, utility, and other electricity sector stakeholders to identify policy needs and build consensus around proposals to meet them;

• Manage relationships with key contacts from across the government—including Congressional offices, FERC, DOE, other relevant federal agencies, and state governments—to stay current on policy developments, advocate for center-left electricity policy solutions, and advise on effective policy implementation;

• Collaborate with colleagues across the Climate and Energy Program to ensure policy proposals, products, and advocacy plans are coordinated for maximum impact;

• Manage and coordinate contracts with consultants covering electricity workstreams outside the advisor’s core expertise;

• Represent Third Way in relevant meetings, working groups, congressional briefings, and public speaking engagements on electricity policy.

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  Salary Range : $90,000 - $100,000, annually

  At Third Way, we are committed to non-discrimination and fair pay practices. The final starting salary offer will be determined based on your experience and qualifications.

Competencies:

• Public Communication

• Complex Problem Solving

• Critical Thinking

• Relationship Management

• Advocacy Agility

• Analytical & Research Skills

• Knowledge Management

• Accountability for Self

• Respectfulness

This might be the job for you, if you have…

• A strong understanding of electricity policy needs and solutions in one or more of the following areas: electricity markets and wholesale market design, federal and state electricity regulation (including the Federal Power Act, PURPA, and RTO/ISO proceedings), power sector economics and financing, transmission and distribution development, utility business model and cost recovery reform, and the data center and electricity nexus;

• At least three years of experience in electricity policy, power markets, utility regulatory practice, energy economics, transmission and distribution, or a closely related field—including experience at or engaging with FERC, a state public utility commission, an RTO or ISO, a utility, a transmission developer, a research institution, or an advocacy organization;

• An ability to write clearly and persuasively on complex electricity policy topics for an audience of non-experts, including through reports, memos, and op-eds;

• An ability to work independently to identify opportunities to advance Third Way’s electricity policy goals, and to proactively surface new ideas to senior leadership;

• Experience with policy advocacy, including through public presentations, congressional briefings, direct outreach to policymakers, and press engagement;

• Experience developing and executing impactful strategies to achieve near-term and multi-year objectives;

• Passion for center-left policymaking and a genuine belief that smart electricity policy is essential to delivering an affordable, reliable, and clean energy future.

In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for:

• Self-starters : People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.

•   Collaborators : People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing its shared priorities.

• Creators : People who fosters divergent thinking; that aren’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.

• Results-oriented : People who function with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.

• Respectful : People who embrace the diverse perspectives of everyone and fosters the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at all times.

WITHIN 1 MONTH, YOU'LL...

• Participate in Third Way’s comprehensive onboarding program. You’ll learn about all aspects of Business Operations, which includes HR, Benefits, IT, Finance, and office operations.

• Meet your Third Way Buddy, be introduced to the entire staff, and start to learn the TW’s culture.

• Learn our current processes for payroll, compliance, and labor tracking, and how you will partner with Finance and the rest of the Business Operations team on these processes.

• Participate in weekly one-on-ones with your manager to ensure you fully understand the expectations of the job.

• Attend weekly team meetings. You’ll learn about the key goals of each member of your program, their progress toward these goals, what challenges they face, and how you will contribute.

• Develop an understanding of the Climate and Energy Program’s priorities and initiatives and the key objectives of the Electricity Initiative. 

• Set objectives for your portfolio based on coordination with the Electricity Team and other CEP staff. 

WITHIN 2 MONTHS, YOU'LL...

• Gain an understanding of each employee’s role and their contribution to the organization.

• Attend program overview sessions to learn more about each team’s contribution to TW’s mission.

• Incorporate TW’s Style Guide and Production process into your work products.

• Participate in, at least, one of our internal Professional Development trainings or a Center for Fun activity.

• Conduct independent research on key topics in the portfolio and begin drafting original analyses and policy recommendations.

• Build and expand relationships with CEP team and external stakeholders relevant to the portfolio. 

WITHIN 3 MONTHS, YOU'LL…

• Feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with the staff, your team, and your work.

• Continue to attend weekly departmental meetings with a stronger understanding of your team’s strategic goal.

• Bring new ideas and suggestions to your weekly one-on-ones with your manager.

• Attend and participate in external functions with other members of your team.

• Complete your 90-day self-evaluation and performance review with your manager.

• Partner with your manager to establish your long-term goals for the remainder of the year.

• Draft and publish at least one policy paper or other analysis in support of the Electricity Initiative.

• Provide technical recommendations and strategic guidance on the direction of the Electricity Initiative. 

• Refine your portfolio within the Electricity Initiative with the Electricity Team and set priorities for your portfolio for the next quarter and through 2026. 
  

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In addition to competitive salaries, your health and wellness is our priority. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance; Health Reimbursement Account (HRA); and Flexible Spending Account (FSA, DCA, Parking, and Transit); Life Insurance; Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance; Retirement plan; Accrued Paid Sick and Vacation leave; Long-term Disability, Employee Assistant Program (EAP).

Third Way is committed to the health, safety, and wellness of all employees, candidates, stakeholders, and communities. To support that commitment, all current and newly hired employees must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Proof of full vaccination status will be required after an offer of employment is extended and accepted. Failure to provide proof of full vaccination before the start date will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

Third Way offers a hybrid work environment to support our employees’ healthy work-life balance. This position is based in Washington, DC, and Third Way’s in-office days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Third Way is an equal-opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws .