About Our Organization:

Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES)

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:

Vice President of External Relations (“VP”)

The VP holds a direct reporting line to CRES’ President and is an integral member of CRES’ senior management team. The VP works closely with CRES’ executive, government relations, policy, and communications teams, as well as its external consultants, to shape the organization’s long-term mission, ensuring that CRES’ external relations initiatives are in perfect alignment with its strategic plan. The VP plays a pivotal role in driving corporate support and partnerships through CRES’ Corporate Partners Program by actively attracting and sustaining corporate donors and sponsors. This involves conducting rigorous due diligence to uncover potential sponsorships, skillfully negotiating mutually beneficial agreements with both existing and new vital partners, and effectively conveying CRES’ value proposition to its targeted corporate and political allies.

With two direct reports in the department, the VP assumes a leadership role in ensuring the synchronization of external-facing activities with CRES’ calendar of engagement. They achieve this by formulating event and engagement strategies, establishing clear departmental objectives that align seamlessly with CRES’ strategic plan, and rigorously evaluating outcomes for continuous improvement.

The VP is highly motivated to expand the pool of sponsors, with a focus on ensuring year-to-year growth, particularly for CRES’ flagship events such as National Clean Energy Week (NCEW), Policy Forums & Briefings, CRES Academy, and C6WC, as well as its participation in the UN Climate Change Conference (“COP”).

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with senior leadership to align fundraising and sponsorship goals with CRES’ mission and strategic priorities, ensuring a sustainable source of revenue and engagement with corporate donors and sponsors.
• Gather and analyze fundraising data, prepare reports, and regularly update the Executive Team and Board of Directors.
• Deepen and broaden CRES’ network of relationships with new and existing vital partnerships to achieve fundraising goals, maximize opportunities, and ensure strategic engagement.
• Serves as a thought-partner in CRES’ engagement with political coalitions, organizations, and working groups, including the Conservative Climate Foundation (“CCF”).
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Grants Management to execute solicitation and stewardship strategies for major donors.
• Demonstrate exceptional leadership by fostering the professional growth of direct reports, setting individual objectives, and conducting performance assessments in accordance with their work plans.
• Oversee all logistical planning, organization, and execution of CRES’ annual National Clean Energy Week (NCEW). This includes securing sponsors, vendors, and high-profile panelists while ensuring alignment with CRES’ mission, strategic priorities, and growth objectives.
• Provide support for other mission-critical events and engagements outlined within CRES’ calendar of engagement, including the annual UN Climate Change Conference (“COP”), Policy Forums & Briefings, CRES Academy, and C6WC, among others.
• Participate in the CRES’ ongoing evaluation of its strategic plan and formulates new, measurable objectives and strategies.
• Fulfill other assigned duties as required.

Personal and Professional Attributes:

• Fundraising Expertise: Possess strong knowledge of fundraising techniques, donor engagement strategies, and the ability to identify and cultivate potential corporate sponsors to sustain and grow organizations.
• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate the ability to develop and execute a departmental strategic plan that aligns with the organization’s mission and goals.
• Leadership: Exhibit effective leadership skills for managing teams, setting clear goals, and motivating staff and stakeholders.
• Data-driven Decision-making: Display a keen ability to develop accurate forecasts based on historical data, corporate trends, and campaign performance to set realistic fundraising goals.
• Communication Skills: Exhibit outstanding writing and presentation abilities by effectively expressing ideas, conveying information clearly, and engaging with stakeholders. The ultimate objective is to garner support from right-of-center audiences regarding renewable energy and climate change.
• Relationship Building: Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with donors, corporate sponsors, staff, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• Event Planning: Possess superb ability to lead a team in translating stakeholder needs into events that are relevant, engaging, and valuable.
• Project Management Skills: Exhibit excellent project management skills with a strong ability to prioritize time and resources to meet ambitious, measurable goals and deadlines.

Education and Experience: Required:

• A minimum of 7 to 10 years of professional experience in corporate partnership development and sponsorship at a nonprofit or a private company in renewable energy and/or climate policy.
• A minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in managing high-profile events at a similar organization with a proven track record of achieving sponsorship goals through these efforts.
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in public speaking for mission-critical stakeholders, corporate partners, and policymakers and their staff.
• Willing and able to work at CRES’s office located in Washington, D.C., for at least three days a week.

Preferred:

• Previous management experience in fostering collaboration, inspiring teams, and guiding individuals to achieve departmental goals.
• Previous experience working on Capitol Hill or within a federal agency.
• Knowledge of the energy sector.

Competitive Benefits:

• Excellent health, vision, dental, and prescription drug insurance
• Short-and-long-term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Generous 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 “VP of External Relations” in your subject line and send your CV and cover letter to: [email protected]