Director of Government Relations

Director of Government Relations

Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES)
Washington, DC
2025 | Public Announcement

About Our Organization

Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) is a non-profit organization founded in 2013 to engage Republican policymakers and the public about responsible, conservative solutions to address our nation’s energy, economic, and environmental security while increasing America’s competitive edge.

This work includes building out robust political and advocacy operations to support Republican clean energy champions in the U.S. House and Senate. In addition to working with members of Congress and legislative staffs to discuss policy ideas, the CRES team members also collaborate with industry representatives and subject matter experts in their mission to bring Americans together to solve our most pressing issues.

CRES policy goals include:

• Reducing global emissions and growing the U.S. economy
• Enacting policy that builds off historically successful approaches to affordable clean energy
• Affordably reducing domestic emissions in a manner that can be leveraged globally

Scope of Work

Reporting to the Vice President of Government Relations, the Director of Government Relations will be a pivotal member of the CRES Government Relations Team.

This role requires at least 5–7 years of relevant legislative, agency, or policy experience, along with strong relationships with lawmakers and staff and demonstrated expertise in clean energy and climate policy. The ideal candidate will leverage their extensive Hill experience, industry connections, and professional networks to advance CRES’s legislative priorities.

The Director will drive the development and execution of CRES’s legislative agenda, build and enhance relationships with key stakeholders, and oversee a team of Government Relations professionals and consultants. This includes motivating, developing, and evaluating team members to ensure strategic goals are met, as well as ensuring the effective tracking of coalitions, legislative committees, and other critical activities.

In addition, the Director will collaborate with internal and external partners to create strategies and solutions that deliver measurable results. Responsibilities include redlining bills, providing actionable policy recommendations, anticipating policy developments, and positioning CRES as a leading voice in clean energy and climate advocacy.

Through their leadership, the Director will influence legislative outcomes and impact significant policy discussions to advance CRES’s mission.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the Vice President of Government Relations to develop and execute CRES’s federal policy platform to lower global carbon emissions and expand clean energy technologies.
• Provide strategic leadership by being a thought partner in shaping and executing the Government Relations KPIs, informed by CRES’s strategic plan.
• Foster professional growth within the overarching Government Relations team and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Motivate, develop, and evaluate the performance of the team.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coalition Building

• Build and maintain impactful relationships with lawmakers, policymakers, and their staff to gather legislative intelligence, garner support for key legislation, and establish CRES as a trusted partner.
• Direct coalitions necessary for legislative policy advancement.
• Represent CRES in Congressional forums, hearings, and stakeholder meetings.
• Leverage Hill experience and professional networks to advance legislative and policy objectives with a goal of creating effective coalitions on legislative objectives.

Policy Development

• Monitor, analyze, and report on emerging legislation, regulations, and policy developments, particularly related to clean energy and climate policy.
• Coordinate CRES’s internal review, decision-making, and formal support of federal clean energy legislation, including offshore wind, permitting reform, and innovative energy technologies.
• Redline bills to provide clear and actionable feedback on proposed legislation.

Content Creation

• Research and prepare high-quality materials such as issue briefs, letters, one-pagers, action alerts, bill summaries, talking points, vote recommendations, and internal memos to support legislative advocacy efforts.

Team Management

• Oversee the work of Government Relations team members and consultants, ensuring the successful execution of departmental objectives.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Work with the Policy Team to align legislative priorities with strategic goals.
• Partner with the Communications Team to amplify CRES’s policy positions and support media efforts.
• Collaborate with the External Relations Team to support events like the annual Congressional fly-in and National Clean Energy Week.

Event Coordination

• Contribute to the successful execution of key events, including Congressional briefings, CRES’ annual fly-in, and National Clean Energy Week, among others.

Donor Obligations

• Ensure compliance with Government Relations grant deliverables and contribute to the development of proposals and activities.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Professional and Personal Attributes

Professional Attributes

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to approach complex legislative issues with a strategic mindset, identifying long-term implications and opportunities for advancing CRES’s mission.
• Effective Communication: Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legislative details into clear, accessible language for diverse audiences.
• Relationship Building: Proven track record of building and maintaining professional relationships with mission-critical stakeholders, including policymakers, Congressional staff, industry leaders, and NGOs.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple legislative initiatives simultaneously, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality results.
• Legislative Analysis: Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret legislative proposals, provide actionable recommendations, and synthesize complex data to inform decision-making.
• Government Relations Expertise: An in-depth understanding of working with and fostering relationships with Congressional members and their staff, with a preference for being comfortable speaking publicly in front of these audiences.
• Collaboration: Works effectively across teams to align legislative efforts with CRES’s broader strategic goals.

Personal Attributes

• Integrity: Consistently demonstrates honesty, ethics, and accountability, fostering trust and credibility within and outside the organization.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A deep commitment and drive to advancing right-of-center clean energy and climate change legislation, maximizing opportunities to achieve CRES’s strategic goals.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing legislative priorities and political landscapes, maintaining a proactive and solution-oriented approach to challenges.
• Energy: Displays a positive and enthusiastic demeanor that motivates and engages colleagues and stakeholders.
• Teamwork: Works effectively as part of a team, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and productive partnerships to achieve shared objectives.
• Work Ethic: Exhibits a strong dedication to achieving goals, taking initiative, and going above and beyond to support CRES’s legislative mission.

Education and Experience

Required

• At least 5–7 years of relevant legislative, agency, or policy experience, with a preference for clean energy and climate legislation expertise.
• A bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental science, economics, or a related field.
• Proven experience building relationships with Congressional offices and federal agencies.
• Willingness and ability to travel for events and occasional out-of-town engagements.
• Able and willing to work in CRES’ Washington, D.C., office at least three days a week.

Preferred

• Experience working with a Senate office on Capitol Hill.
• Experience working with clean energy coalitions or advocacy campaigns.
• Advanced degrees in public policy, environmental law, or related fields.

Competitive Benefits

• Excellent health, vision, dental, and prescription drug insurance
• Short-and-long-term insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Retirement plan match
• Transportation benefit
• Cell phone reimbursement

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

CRES is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CRES’ policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment and provides equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, or military status, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

How to Apply

Please include “Director of Government Relations” in your subject line and send your CV and cover letter to: [email protected]