Department: Climate

Location: Washington, D.C.

Schedule:  Flexible hybrid, minimum 3 days in-office per week

Job Status: Full-Time

Salary: $150,000-$215,000, plus a generous benefits package

Reports to: Senior VP of Policy

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The Niskanen Center

Named “the most interesting think tank in American politics” by Time magazine in March 2023, the Niskanen Center is a public policy think tank and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening liberal democratic governance and promoting widespread prosperity and opportunity. Our vision of market liberalism is rooted in an effective public sector and a competitive private sector, and we are committed to upholding the principles of a pluralistic and open society that encourages engagement, cooperation, discussion, and learning.

Our theory of change relies on three pillars: theory, policy, and practice. These three pillars are rooted in our Conspectus. They are realized by the foundational work of our Senior Fellows (theory), our policy departments (policy), and our government affairs and legal departments (practice). Every policy department director sits at the nexus of these three pillars and is central to balancing them. Our teams constantly seek to leverage our policy expertise in the political realm and bring about structural change for a better functioning federal state and private sector.

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Position Description

The Niskanen Center seeks an experienced Director of Climate to lead our efforts on climate policy. Niskanen is dedicated to facilitating the enactment and implementation of meaningful, cost-effective federal climate policies to accelerate the decarbonization of the economy.

Our work tackles supply-side barriers to decarbonization by reforming permitting and siting processes to accelerate clean energy infrastructure and electricity transmission development. We also prioritize advocating for market-based climate policies such as carbon pricing, advancing low-carbon energy innovation, and analyzing and communicating climate risks to key stakeholders. Through these efforts, we aim to educate and influence political, regulatory, and industry leaders while fostering coalitional support to drive impactful and durable policy change.

The ideal candidate will articulate and advance a strategic vision for the department and demonstrate a proven ability to secure funding to support that vision. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the challenges posed by climate change and a track record of implementing innovative policy solutions. The Director will have the opportunity to refine and expand this agenda in collaboration with the climate team and Niskanen leadership. This full-time, senior-level position reports to the Senior Vice President of Policy.

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Responsibilities

• Maintain and tailor our institutional perspective on climate policy to conceive, plan, execute, and articulate an original research agenda;
• Develop and manage partnerships with other organizations, including policymakers, thought leaders, government agencies, non-profits, and private sector organizations;
• Build and iterate a strategic vision for the climate department and communicate it to the broader advocacy field;
• Collaborate with colleagues across the organization to ensure a consistent and integrated approach to climate policy and;
• Secure funding for the climate department’s initiatives.

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Minimum Qualifications

• An advanced degree (M.A., J.D., or Ph.D.) in a relevant discipline;
• A commitment to the Niskanen Center’s mission;
• At least eight years of climate policy experience, focusing on developing and implementing policy solutions;
• At least three years of senior-level leadership experience and a strong policy reputation with existing leaders in the space;
• A deep understanding of the scientific, economic, and political aspects of climate change;
• A demonstrated track record of successful fundraising;
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills;
• Strong strategic leadership;
• A high degree of autonomy and personal drive, and;
• A 3-5 year commitment to growing Niskanen’s climate team.

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Benefits

Our benefits include unlimited paid time off, office closures on all federal holidays and the last week of each calendar year, paid parental leave, 100% employer-covered health, dental, and vision insurance for employees with access to family coverage, a 403(b) plan with a 4% employer contribution with no vesting period, and commuter benefits for employees in D.C..

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Equal Employment Opportunity and Location Requirements

The Niskanen Center makes employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on any characteristics protected by law. This applies to all employment practices, including hiring, promotions, training, and compensation.

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How to Apply

We will review applications after the deadline. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET on February 2, 2025. Please combine a cover letter, resume, and writing sample into one PDF. Use the link below to apply. No phone calls, please.