Senior Director, Policy & External Affairs

Position Overview

The Large Public Power Council (LPPC) seeks a Senior Director of Policy and External Affairs to lead federal legislative and regulatory strategy for the nation’s largest public power utilities. This senior role is responsible for developing and advancing LPPC’s policy positions on issues such as transmission, reliability, transmission, permitting, environmental regulation, wholesale markets, and tax policy. The Senior Director collaborates with member utility executives and task forces to build consensus, drive multi-stakeholder projects, and manage external consultants to deliver high-impact results.

The ideal candidate brings applied, practical expertise in the electric utility sector—or a similarly regulated, infrastructure-intensive industry—along with sound policy acumen, strategic judgment, and excellent communication skills. Experience engaging with Congress and federal agencies is essential, as is the ability to navigate complex technical issues and translate them into practical, compelling advocacy.

This is a primarily remote role based in the Washington, D.C. area, with regular in-person meetings and the need to attend events or meetings in D.C. on short notice. The position also requires periodic travel (approximately 9–12 trips per year) to LPPC member sites, industry conferences, and national policy events.

Responsibilities

• Lead the identification, analysis, and development of LPPC’s policy positions on federal legislative and regulatory issues, including reliability, transmission, permitting, environmental regulation, wholesale markets, and tax policy.
• Facilitate collaboration with member utilities by partnering with task force chairs, convening discussions, and translating input into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Manage select LPPC task forces and working group projects–ranging from advocacy initiatives to best practice sharing–ensuring timely deliverables and effective consultant support.
• Track and analyze legislation, rulemakings, market trends, and emerging technologies impacting public power; oversee or conduct research to ensure LPPC’s positions are well-informed and credible.
• Draft and review policy briefs, regulatory comments, advocacy materials, and testimony to advance LPPC’s positions.
• Advocate for LPPC’s positions with Congressional staff, federal agencies, and other external partners; coordinate member engagement in external advocacy efforts.
• Represent LPPC in external forums and at key industry events, including LPPC meetings and member site visits, to maintain strong relationships with policymakers, industry coalitions, and other key stakeholders.
• Manage contributions, sponsorships, and engagements with external partners and coalitions in alignment with LPPC’s policy priorities.
• Advise the President and the Board on strategic opportunities, risks, and emerging developments in the federal policy landscape.
• Coordinate with the communications team to align messaging and content for internal and external engagement.
• Measure and report on the outcomes of LPPC’s advocacy and policy initiatives to demonstrate impact and guide future strategy.

Experience and Qualifications

LPPC seeks a Senior Director who can demonstrate a strong record of success in the following areas:

• Bring at least 10 years of experience in energy policy, government affairs, regulatory strategy, or utility-sector legal work.
• Demonstrate prior successful engagement with legislative staff on Capitol Hill and/or federal energy agencies (e.g., FERC, DOE, EPA).
• Possess applied, practical knowledge of the electric utility sector or a similar infrastructure-intensive industry, including operations, finance, markets, and regulatory compliance.
• Bring experience working within or alongside trade associations, member-driven organizations, or public-sector coalitions.
• Apply strong political and strategic judgement to anticipate challenges and identify opportunities.
• Manage external consultants effectively – setting clear scopes, ensuring deliverables meet objectives, and keeping work on schedule and within budget.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into accessible, compelling narratives.
• Collaborative, creative, and strategic; an effective team player in a small, high-performing organization; flexible, resourceful, and driven to take initiative.

Location and Travel

This is a primarily remote position based in the Washington, D.C. area. The Senior Director must be available during regular business hours and able to regularly attend in-person meetings in Washington, D.C. on short notice. The role requires occasional travel — approximately 9 to 12 trips per year — to LPPC member locations, industry conferences, and national policy meetings.

Compensation

LPPC offers a competitive compensation package, including a base salary plus eligibility for a performance-based bonus of up to 15% of annual salary. Bonuses are awarded based on individual and organizational performance and are designed to recognize outstanding contributions to LPPC’s mission. The total compensation range for this position (base salary + maximum bonus) is approximately $210,000-$240,000, depending on experience. LPPC also provides a health reimbursement arrangement, SIMPLE IRA contributions, generous paid vacation, and flexible work arrangements. We are committed to fair, competitive compensation based on qualifications, experience, and demonstrated performance.

About LPPC

The Large Public Power Council (LPPC) represents 29 of the largest public power systems in the United States. LPPC’s members are not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities that collectively serve more than 30 million people and operate in a wide range of markets and regulatory environments. LPPC advocates for federal policies that strengthen public power’s ability to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity. In addition, we facilitate the sharing of information and best practices among members to support continuous improvement and collaboration.

Qualified applicants should submit a copy of their resume and cover letter to [email protected]