WHO WE ARE
Our global climate goals can only be met by rapidly reducing emissions and removing the carbon that already exists in our atmosphere.
The Carbon Removal Alliance works to build a gigaton-scale carbon removal industry that is categorically good for the climate, economy, and people. Our members — innovative companies, buyers, and experts — represent billions of dollars of investment in climate technologies and virtually all of the permanent carbon removal deployed globally to date. We work to advance science-driven U.S. federal policy that supports carbon removal technologies that can bring carbon removal to gigaton scale.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Overview
The Deputy Director of Government Affairs will shape how Washington understands carbon removal. The organization is setting out to pass a consequential tax credit for the sector, defend federal carbon removal programs, and put forward a vision for demand-side policy that can get the industry to scale. We are bipartisan, pragmatic, and outcomes-oriented. We are looking for a candidate who believes in carbon removal technologies and can introduce a new class of lawmakers to the climate and economic benefits of this sector.
This role will straddle strategy and execution, moving fluidly between the two to champion the work of Alliance members. They will spend significant time on the Hill and among the energy/climate ecosystem in D.C. They will translate and synthesize technical information, policy ideas, and our member footprint into compelling advocacy while building durable and authentic relationships with congressional and agency staff. This role reports to the Executive Director.
The Deputy Director of Government Affairs joins a deeply committed team – including staff, board, and consultants – with a track record of success in carbon removal and policy who are setting out to build something new in climate advocacy. This candidate should be entrepreneurial and excited about shaping a small and nimble startup nonprofit. They have experience in setting a vision, establishing, and scaling successful programs with creativity, humility, and an expectation of continual learning.
Major Roles + Responsibilities
- Develop the organization’s government affairs strategy, including:
- Plans to build relationships and influence in D.C.
- Plans to educate staffers on carbon removal, with a focus on Republicans
- Plans for administrative advocacy
- Informing our regional public affairs strategy, ensuring that local support can be translated to federal momentum
- Lead advocacy campaigns around key policy issues including tax credits, federal procurement, carbon border adjustments, and more
- Plan and execute site visits with lawmakers at carbon removal projects across the country
- Build relationships with Congress, the administration, and relevant stakeholders (eg. ENGOs, labor unions, conservative groups)
- Review the design of new and novel carbon removal policies for Congress and the administration with an eye towards political salience and feasibility
- Be an external spokesperson for the organization at key events in D.C. and within partner coalitions
- Collaborate with CRA member companies, including educating them on the federal policy process
*Note: This role is not required to be registered as a lobbyist.
Compensation, Benefits & Our Philosophy
The Carbon Removal Alliance continually seeks to enrich its staff and team culture. We’re also dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We've adopted this commitment because we believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including marginalized communities.
- The salary range for this position is $155,000 - $185,000
- Carbon Removal Alliance benefits include:
- Flexible remote work culture, including 36-hour workweeks (we close at 1 P.M. every Friday)
- Four weeks of PTO, two weeks of sick leave, three floating holidays/personal days, and organization-wide closures for one week during August and one week at the end of the year (Dec 24-Jan 2)
- Full coverage of medical and dental insurance premiums for you (base level plan)
- Employer contributions to employee retirement plans (401k)
- Childcare and pet-sitting support during work travel
- A quarterly health and wellness stipend
- A generous tech stipend
WHO YOU ARE
Our ideal candidate embodies our core values in their work and life:
- Ambition is imperative. Making carbon removal a reality at gigaton scale is an audacious idea. We’re attempting to bring to bear an industry the world desperately needs, with policy attuned to the realities of this field. We do so with the recognition that this work is imperative, challenging, rewarding, and complex – and inspire others to see the same in carbon removal.
- Stay the course. Our strategy brings the vision to life. It also keeps us accountable and focused. We are intentional about how we spend our time and approach new opportunities: driving at real outcomes and key results, vigilant against distractions and scope creep, and reprioritizing when needed.
- It takes a village. In this business, we know the company we keep and how we keep it has a huge impact on our success. We’re tactful, reciprocal, and kind; we’re not extractive or opportunistic. We work authentically with our allies.
- It’s a game of inches. There’s no task too small and no strategic problem too big for anyone on the CRA team. We’re kind, low ego and bring humility to our work. We take care of each other by sharing the load.
- Lifelong students. We make space for learning and translate those learnings back to the team. We’re curious and willing to seek out the best information, ask hard questions, and know the science behind carbon removal.
- Hold hands and jump. We’re resourceful, aren’t afraid to charge forward without all of the answers. We’re a startup nonprofit forging new paths — we’re unafraid of risks, improvisation, and experiments. We expect continuous feedback from one another to refine our approach and help us grow individually and as a team.
- People, not robots. We care about one another’s fulfillment and well-being in and outside of the workplace. We all strive to bring the positivity quotient and see the power in levity. We know mission-driven work is a marathon, not a sprint.
This role requires:
- Proven track record (6+ years) working government affairs in energy, climate, science, or related technology issues
- Strong network of policy allies you can rely on, including with ENGOs, congressional staff, and agency staff
- Excellent relationship-building skills with a track record of building trust, managing stakeholders, and nurturing lasting relationships
- A demonstrated ability to bring together coalitions and manage stakeholders toward a common goal
- Experience driving results in the pursuit of ambitious goals by closely managing priorities, and tracking timelines, data, and information in an organized and systematic fashion
It’s a bonus if you have:
- Strong relationships with Republican lawmakers and public officials
- Prior start-up experience as an early team member in a growing organization
- Experience managing and working in a membership-based context (e.g. trade association, network or alliance)
- Familiarity with the federal appropriations process
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