Virginia Director (Richmond)

Description

About Us

For thirteen years, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) has been dedicated to building a powerful movement for bold climate solutions in the Chesapeake region of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. We are committed to taking on big fights and pushing the envelope of what’s “politically possible,” using every tool inside and outside of the box – from organizing to lobbying to the law. We focus on movement-building because we believe that people are at the center of change and that solving climate change means fighting for justice.
Working with our allies and grassroots activists in Virginia, we’ve succeeded in stopping the biggest coal-fired power plant proposed in the state, passing legislation to incentivize solar power, repealing a punitive tax on hybrid cars, and keeping offshore drilling out of Virginia’s coastal waters.
We are looking for a Virginia Director who can strategically shape and lead campaigns to tackle our biggest challenge ahead: overcoming the stranglehold of the commonwealth’s largest utility, Dominion Virginia Power, over our energy system and democracy. Dominion and its allies in the General Assembly want to commit Virginia to decades of continued dependence on dirty fossil fuels – including building hundreds of miles of new fracked-gas pipelines – while blocking the rapid shift we need to clean energy.
The high stakes of this fight are already at our doorstep. Virginia is on the front lines of climate change impacts: residents of coastal neighborhoods in Norfolk deal with flooded streets and homes on a routine basis from rising seas, Richmond is regularly named an “Asthma Capital” of the U.S., and more severe and intense storms are damaging property across the commonwealth. As we advance clean energy policies in Richmond, push for effective climate adaptation statewide, and fight to keep all of Virginia’s remaining fossil fuels in the ground, we are looking for a Virginia Director who can guide a highly talented team and take our work to the next level.
About the Virginia Director
Our next Virginia Director will have the skills, passion and commitment to take on one of the biggest problems facing our planet in one of the toughest places to win. We are looking for a resilient, creative and strategic problem-solver to join our team.

Skills Required

Qualifications

● 7+ years of experience running campaigns, lobbying and managing staff

● Commitment to the mission of fighting climate change

● Proven ability to be self-driven, while working with a team

● Proven ability to multi-task, while prioritizing measurable results

● Track record of building grassroots power and strong coalitions

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Additional preferences

Experience working with the media
Expertise in climate and energy policy
Experience in Virginia

Additional Info

Major Responsibilities
The Director will work with a dedicated team of CCAN staff, including our talented field staff, a proven
communications team, and a senior management team with years of experience developing campaigns and
advancing policy solutions in Virginia. The Director will lead the planning and execution of successful
campaigns in line with CCAN’s organizational goals. The Director will work with elected officials, opinion
leaders, coalition partners, and grassroots constituencies across Virginia in pursuit of these goals.
● Campaign Development: Develop and manage statewide campaigns that build a diverse and powerful
climate movement in Virginia.
● Lobbying and Policy Development: Act as CCAN’s primary lobbyist in Richmond, building relationships
with elected officials and lobbying them to support our policy priorities. Develop and promote new
policy solutions to climate change in Virginia.
● Field: Oversee field staff building a network of volunteers and community partners committed to
overcoming the power of Virginia’s top polluters and winning climate victories.
● Communications: Work with CCAN’s Communications Director to develop and deliver powerful
campaign messages that resonate across Virginia.
● Coalition: Work with climate, justice, environmental, business, military and other allies in Virginia to
win shared climate victories.
Salary and Location
Salary is commensurate with experience. We provide a generous benefits package including health care,
dental coverage, a 401K and 4 weeks of paid vacation.

This position is based in Richmond, Virginia.

How to Apply
To apply: send your cover letter, resume and a sample of your writing to Monique Sullivan, Field Director, at
jobs@chesapeakeclimate.org.

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis but aim to make a final hiring decision by June 1.

CCAN is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse workforce. We value bringing a diversity of
backgrounds and perspectives on staff because it makes us smarter and more effective at what we do and,
ultimately, we want our staff and supporters to reflect the communities we organize. We are seeking to
recruit individuals from underrepresented groups to apply for this position.