Associate Director, Government Affairs

As a leader in advancing New York’s energy transition, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has remained a credible, objective and trusted partner in our State’s energy planning as well as deploying new and innovative technologies to expand New York’s economy. NYSERDA has worked for the past 50 years to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, lower energy costs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

NYSERDA engages with stakeholders including residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, universities, utilities, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, to develop, invest, and foster conditions that:

• Attract the private sector capital investment needed to expand New York’s clean energy economy.

• Overcome barriers to using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.

• Enable New York’s communities and residents to benefit equitably in the clean energy transition.

The Associate Director of Government Affairs reports directly to the Director of Government Affairs and works closely with the Counsel’s Office, Communications, and Business Unit Leads daily. The Associate Director of Government Affairs supervises and mentors members of the Government Affairs (GA) team and assists in overseeing all deliverables and products of all team members. The Associate Director assists and Director in leading Authority engagement with Executive Chamber, the Legislature, other agencies and authorities and other key stakeholders.

The Associate Director of Government Affairs is an experienced leader with in-depth knowledge of the legislative and regulatory processes at federal, state, and local levels. The Associate Director uses an extensive network to achieve Authority outcomes.

• Supervise and mentor GA team members.
• Lead all GA efforts and work products.
• Support Authority engagement with local, state, and federal elected officials and agency staff, including leading development of background and briefing materials.
• In close coordination with Counsel’s office, draft Legislative Departmental submissions and responses to all legislative inquiries.
• Coordinate and lead implementation of Budget/Legislative Session Prep for CEO and Officers and ongoing engagement with Chamber and Legislative branches. Stay abreast of, and inform Director regarding, legislative activity related to general topics and specific bills of NYSERDA interest.
• Conduct research and provide background information and draft briefing materials for Executive Team, Officers, and CEO on changes to or opportunities to obtain new critical funding or regulatory actions occurring at federal, state and local levels that would impact the Authority’s ability to achieve its goals.
• Support the Director in managing and overseeing all relations with local, state, and federal elected officials and their staff.
• Manage constituent services and responses.
• Coordinate with Communications Team, Events, Executive Team and other departments to handle and respond to events, press, etc.
• Pull together background and briefing materials for events, conferences, and functions, as needed.
• Speak at events, conferences, and functions, as needed.
• Review internal and external communications for potential political sensitivities.
• Serve as an effective coach and leader providing relevant strategic and management guidance to other departments.
• Maintain a robust knowledge of local, state, and Federal key issues, priorities, agenda, and sensitivities, particularly as it relates to climate, clean energy, and electrification.
• Provide excellent verbal and written products, including ability to craft a compelling business/political/strategic case for Authority outcomes.
• Exhibit excellent listening skills.
• Demonstrate ability to accurately assess supporting data to rapidly and accurately articulate tradeoffs and make recommended actions for the Authority.
• Ability to readily identify creative combinations of projects and programs to best leverage work underway, provide staff growth opportunities and achieve more through a combination of initiatives than might be achieved…