Director, State Government Affairs

Primary Purpose

The Director will play a lead role in the continued development and execution of a strategic state policy and engagement program, one that ensures strong relationships and persuasive advocacy with state officials, including legislators, regulators, governors and other state policymakers and their staffs. Works proactively with NEI staff, member company representatives, non-governmental organizations and others to define and advance nuclear energy policies and strategies, forging constructive solutions and building multi-stakeholder coalitions as necessary to advance NEI and member company interests. Monitors and influences emerging strategic issues in legislative, regulatory and industry venues, which impact NEI.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Advise and aid the Vice President, Policy and Public Affairs and the Senior Director, State Policy, and serve as a contact to Governors, state legislators and regulators, their staffs, as well as other state government officials for all issues related to state policy and advocacy on nuclear energy.
• Maintain thorough working knowledge of all relevant state energy policy ramifications and be familiar with the public policy landscape most important to the nuclear industry.
• Establish and maintain relationships with national organizations of state policymakers and regulators to ensure that nuclear issues are discussed and advanced with policy positions, resolutions adopted, speaker placements, agenda setting and letters to support NEI objectives.
• Demonstrate command of current energy issues. Monitor, track and report out on legislative and regulatory trends that may impact the nuclear energy industry. Anticipate and identify emerging and potential issues impacting the nuclear industry.
• Advise and support the Senior Director, State Policy and External Affairs, in responding to member company requests. Establish and maintain relationships with company representatives.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across NEI, particularly in the Communications, Legal, Government Affairs, and Technical and Regulatory Support divisions, to bring all NEI’s resources effectively to bear in advancing state policy and advocacy priorities.
• Represent NEI and the nuclear industry as a speaker at public meetings of Governors, state legislators, regulators, and other state and local government and energy industry groups.
• Communicate effectively and diplomatically within NEI, with the appropriate levels of member company personnel, with a broad range of industry personnel, other industry organizations, and with state government officials.

Job Specification

10+ years of state government, policy, or regulatory affairs experience. Experience working with state executive or legislative offices, or public utility commissions on energy, environmental and trade issues desired.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written skills are essential.
• Consensus building skills and a track record for effectively working in a bipartisan manner.
• Ability to synthesize complex topics into simple terms.
• Travel required (50%).

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Policy, Business, Communications, or related field required. Advanced degree and related experience are helpful but not required.

Pay Range

For employees who live in the Washington, DC Metro area, the salary range for this position is $152,000 – $228,000 annually. Typically, new hires are brought into the organization at a salary range between the minimum and midpoint, depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted salary for the role.

Benefits

Healthcare

NEI offers 3 PPO healthcare plans through CareFirst Administrators:

• Choice – Provides comprehensive coverage for both In-Network and Out of Network services.
• Standard – Provides similar coverage to the Choice Plan.
• High Deductible – Provides similar comprehensive coverage to the Standard Plan.

Dental

NEI offers dental coverage through CareFirst Administrators.

Vision

NEI offers vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP).

• Employer matched 401(k)
• Vacation & Sick Leave

Submitting Your Resume

If this matches your goals and expertise, please submit your cover letter, résumé, and salary requirements to [email protected]. Please be sure to indicate the job title of the vacant position in your email. Please, no phone calls.

Applicants with Disabilities

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, NEI will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact:

• Shelley Newham, HR Manager – 202-739-8089 or [email protected]
• Lori Brady, Sr. Director, HR & Workforce Development – 202-739-8094 or [email protected]

We recognize that candidates may not meet every qualification listed. If you’re passionate about our mission and believe you could thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply anyway.