Manager, Equity Partnerships

ABOUT VOTE SOLAR

Vote Solar's mission is to realize a 100% clean energy future through a solutions-driven, people first approach. Founded in 2002, Vote Solar advances just and equitable clean energy policy in state legislatures and public commissions across the United States. Our expertise comes from a deep understanding of the legislative process, regulatory interventions, and the ability to identify and accelerate solar solutions. We are adept at bridging communities and bringing diverse stakeholders together to forge inclusive coalitions and winning campaigns. 

Our goal is to effect real, tangible change. And we have the track-record to prove we can do it: Twenty years in, our work has made it so that one in three people live in a state with a 100% clean energy commitment. We’ll not only expand that number, but ensure that more people can participate in holding utilities and decision makers accountable for greater equity and justice in our energy system.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE

Vote Solar is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the workplace and in the communities with which we partner. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including multilingual and multicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Senior Director of Partnerships, the Equity Partnerships Manager plays a crucial role in advancing Vote Solar's mission by supporting the implementation of a national partnership strategy and accountability framework for partnership excellence. This strategy ensures that Vote Solar campaigns center Black, Brown, Indigenous, frontline, Tribal Nation, communities of color and low-wealth community partnerships, ensuring those most impacted by energy decisions have a voice in shaping them.  Rooted in the Just Partnership Principles, this strategy seeks to address previous inequities and rebuild the energy system to benefit those historically left out of the energy decision-making process. The Partnership Manager supports the National Programs Team by managing the Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award, contributing to the development and execution of internal learning initiatives and resources for staff to apply the Just Partnership Principles, supporting logistics for annual planning and reporting, and coordinating strategic engagements with frontline partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Equity Partnerships Manager's primary responsibilities will include:

JUST PARTNERSHIP PRINCIPLES STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT (40%) 

• Support the Senior Director, Equity Partnerships to implement a national Just Partnership Principles vision and strategy that supports staff to develop authentic, respectful partnerships to ensure that the people most impacted by energy decisions have a voice in shaping them.
• Provide thought partnership and accountability support to National Program Team staff to identify common partnership challenges and best practices. 
• Identify potential Black, Brown, Indigenous, frontline, Tribal Nation, and other communities of color and low-wealth community organizations to partner with that will strengthen Vote Solar's regional team networks and impact.
• As directed by the Senior Director, Equity Partnerships, coordinate logistics for meetings with frontline, industry, or environmental partners to support reaching our strategic partnership goals as needed.

INTERNAL LEARNING + THOUGHT PARTNERSHIP (25%)

• Support the development and knowledge management of resources and training for staff, ensuring they are aligned with the Just Partnership Principles and community engagement best practices, including case studies highlighting successful partnership efforts.
• Coordinate learning sessions for staff, providing opportunities to increase their capacity to operationalize the Just Partnership Principles to build inclusive coalitions. 

DR. ESPANOLA JACKSON ENERGY JUSTICE AWARD (15%)

• Manage the annual Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award, celebrating the legacy of Dr. Espanola Jackson and honoring Black, Indigenous, and frontline leaders of color in environmental justice. 
• Coordinate the selection process, including managing the external selection committee, and ensuring transparency and equity.
• Support the Communications team in amplifying nominees and the awardee.
• Develop the nominee alumni Google Group platform for nominees to share information, support each other's work, and collaborate.

ANNUAL PLANNING, EVALUATION & REPORTING (15%)

• Support the Managing Director, National Programs to coordinate annual campaign planning logistics.
• As directed by the Managing Director,National Programs, compile and draft biannual program reports, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
• Assist the Senior Director, Equity Partnerships in creating and presenting an annual update to staff on the progress, challenges, and lessons learned from implementing Just Partnership Principles strategies.
• Track and report on inclusive and equitable partnerships across the National Programs Team and synthesize learnings for the Senior Director of Partnerships.
• Support staff in using Salesforce for partnership tracking, ensuring data entry and integrity at key intervals throughout the year for reporting purposes.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & JUSTICE (5%)

• Continue personal learning and contribute to organizational work on diversity, equity and inclusion
• Work to embed equity in all organizational internal practices and culture, as well as our programs
• Bring openness and engagement to personal, professional, and organization-wide learning on race, class, gender, justice, and equity

REQUIREMENTS

WHAT YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in partnership development, coalition building, community engagement, or related organizing efforts.
• Experience collaborating with organizations that serve Black, Brown, Indigenous, and communities of color, as well as low-income and frontline communities.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects, including coordinating logistics, tracking and reporting on progress, and meeting deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including presenting complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.

OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE ACCOMPLISHED OR WOULD BE EXCITED TO LEARN HERE

• Experience in leading, facilitating, or building coalitions, particularly with grassroots organizations.
• Embedding equity in all organizational internal practices, organizational culture, and programs.
• Grassroots community engagement in energy or environmental sectors, or existing relationships with environmental justice leaders. 
• Understanding of policy advocacy processes, particularly related to energy or environmental justice.
• Knowledge management practices, particularly in creating, organizing, and disseminating information to support staff learning and development.
• Experience using Salesforce, Asana, or similar software tools for tracking relationships and managing projects.
• A personal commitment to being a part of an inclusive and just workplace, including a commitment to being on a journey with Vote Solar to develop personal, and inter-personal core competencies related to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.
• Passion for building new capacity at a growing organization.
• Understanding that how we work (in collaborative, authentic partnership), is as important as what we work on.
• Open and interested in continuous learning to effectively collaborate and ensure the inclusion of expertise from diverse communities in energy decision-making.

LOCATION

This is a remote position within the United States, with a preference for candidates based near a transportation hub. This position will require some national travel. Workplace arrangements are flexible, including options to work from a co-working space or work from home. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $86,400-$93,700. At Vote Solar, we work hard to ensure that our compensation is equitable internally and aligned with our compensation philosophy and defined job levels. To ensure equitable compensation across roles in the organization, we do not negotiate new hire offers.

Vote Solar provides full-time staff with a competitive package, including 4 weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 4 days of personal leave and 16 paid holidays. We also offer 100% employer-provided health, dental and vision care for both the employee and dependents; a retirement savings plan with an employer contribution of 3.5%; and a paid parental and medical leave policy for all regular employees. 

OUR VALUES

At Vote Solar, we have co-created the following shared Values and work hard to live into them every day:

• Trust - Without Trust, We Can’t Succeed
• Authenticity - We Hold True to What and Who We Stand For
• Versatility - We Adapt Our Approach, But Never Our Values
• Compassion - People First, in Every Aspect of Our Work
• Inclusivity - We’re Strongest Together 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send a letter of interest and resume to Vote Solar. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that all qualified applicants may participate in the application process. Please inform Adrena Lambert at alambert@votesolar.org of accommodation requests at the time of application.

Application Process Note: Vote Solar is required to enroll in the E-Verify Program to verify employment eligibility of certain employees. Candidates who receive an offer may be required to complete this step depending on their state of residence.