Senior Policy Advisor for Clean Energy Finance, Climate and Energy Program

Third Way is a national think tank that was founded in 2005 to champion modern center-left ideas. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, and security. We are proud of the organization that we have built and continue to seek out talent who contribute to our ambitious mission. We are deeply committed to promoting a culture of results and respect where every employee has opportunities to contribute, develop, and grow professionally.

Vision of the Climate & Energy Program

The vision of the Climate & Energy Program at Third Way is for the nations of the free world, led by the United States, to work together to create and use an independent clean energy system, supported by diversified supply chains and the production of critical materials. We must do this because it is in the national interest of the US to increase economic prosperity, ensure our security and protect democracy, and limit the impacts of climate change to 2C or less. We are in an era where rapidly evolving technologies, authoritarian threats, and climate impacts are changing how we live. Energy is at the center of this.

The Climate & Energy Program focuses on how well-designed clean energy systems will enable the free world to harness new technologies, make our nations secure and prosperous, and reduce the threat of climate change. To do this, we conduct research, develop policies, and engage in advocacy to create a reliable, independent, affordable, and clean 21st-century energy system for the US and our transatlantic allies.

Position Overview

Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor for Clean Energy Finance who can advance our efforts to research, design, and promote policies to leverage public and private capital to finance the accelerated deployment of mature and emerging clean energy technologies and supply chains in the US and abroad. This team member will work closely with our sector- and technology-specific experts and outside advisors to identify how new financing mechanisms or the removal of existing obstacles could unlock deployment, bridge the financing valley of death for early-stage technologies, and significantly increase the adoption of clean energy, including modernizing the financing supported by entities like the Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank. This will include developing policies to remove these roadblocks and advocating for them across the D.C. policymaking community.

We’re looking for a professional who can learn quickly, work collaboratively to promote clean energy financing solutions across our many technological focus areas, and bring their expertise to the frontline of US public policy.

Typical Day as Senior Policy Advisor for Clean Energy Finance

As the Senior Policy Advisor for Clean Energy Finance, a typical day might include:

• Analyzing proposed policy ideas and assessing their impact on financing the development, commercialization, and deployment of clean energy technologies.
• Conducting qualitative research to better understand the current barriers to financing the deployment of innovative US clean energy technologies, both domestically and abroad.
• Coordinating product development and advocacy with multiple members of the climate and energy program team related to financing their respective technology portfolios.
• Managing research and outreach efforts conducted by external consultants with financing expertise.
• Engaging with federal agencies, congressional offices, industry representatives, and other leading experts to develop and socialize targeted policies.
• Authoring high-impact written reports, memos, and op-eds that persuasively illuminate the pathways to accelerated clean energy financing.
• Engaging with relevant funders and contributing to proposals and reports for the philanthropic grants that support our work.
• Representing CEP in speaking opportunities and other public-facing capacities related to Third Way’s clean energy deployment work.
• Working with other members of Third Way’s climate and energy, communications, and advocacy teams to help plan and execute events and digital collateral around the policies needed to help focus, fund, and scale clean energy finance.

Salary Range

Salary Range: $75,000 – $100,000, annually

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

Job Requirements

This might be the job for you if you have:

• At least four years of experience in clean energy finance or a related field.
• An understanding of the public and private capital financing mechanisms available for the deployment of mature and emerging clean energy technologies in the US and for export.
• Demonstrated ability to speak and write about complex topics in a way that is clear and compelling for a non-expert audience.
• A knack for creative problem-solving and collaborating with a diverse team.
• Passion for advancing smart ideas to help the world achieve emissions goals while creating more opportunities for American businesses and workers in emerging clean energy markets.

Third Way Culture

In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for:

• Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and bring a sustained passion for our mission.
• Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing shared priorities.
• Creators: People who foster divergent thinking; those who 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 foster the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at all times.

First Month Goals

Within 1 month, you’ll:

• Participate in Third Way’s comprehensive onboarding program. You’ll learn about all aspects of Business Operations, which includes benefits, IT, finance, and office operations.
• Meet your Third Way Buddy, be introduced to the entire staff, and start to learn 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 your departmental weekly meetings. You’ll learn about the key goals of your program, how they’re doing, what challenges they face, and how you will contribute.
• Share coffee with the COO and learn about the history and growth of Third Way.

Second Month Goals

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.
• Sit in on a riveting story about Third Way’s history with one of the original founders. You will learn about our successes, as well as our failures. This will also afford you the opportunity to learn about future direction.
• Incorporate TW’s Style Guide and Production process into your work products.
• Participate in at least one of our internal Professional Development training courses or a Center for Fun activity.
• Learn and experience TW’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and respect in the workplace.
• Support the development and submission of a grant proposal or donor report.
• Identify and research potential donor prospects.

Third Month Goals

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-one sessions 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.

Benefits

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); 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; and 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 flexible, 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.

Learn more here