Sr. Regional Director, California

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

Vote Solar seeks a candidate committed to advancing sustainable, equitable solutions that accelerate the adoption of solar and distributed energy resources across California. The California Senior Campaigns Director will provide strategic leadership in developing and executing statewide legislative and advocacy campaigns, building and managing diverse coalitions, and aligning policy, communications, and organizing strategies to advance Vote Solar's priorities. Reporting to the Deputy Program Director for the West, this person will lead California campaign strategy, manage California campaign staff, and work closely with the California team, including regulatory, communications, and grassroots organizing staff, to ensure coordinated and impactful campaigns across legislative and regulatory venues. The ideal candidate is a strategic, results-oriented leader who excels at building relationships, navigating complex political landscapes, mentoring staff, and managing high-impact campaigns.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The California Senior Campaigns Director's primary responsibilities will focus on California and include:

CAMPAIGN AND LEGISLATIVE STRATEGY (50%)

• Serve as Vote Solar’s senior campaign strategist for California, developing and executing strategies to advance solar, distributed energy resources, storage, affordability, grid modernization, and energy justice priorities.
• Advise on state-level legislation that can open up new opportunities for solar and storage markets as well as other distributed energy resources in California. 
• Support staff in developing policy positions and campaign strategies informed by partners, technical expertise, and community priorities.
• Partner with the Deputy Program Director to shape California’s long-term policy and political strategy.
• Work closely with the Regulatory Director to ensure legislative, regulatory, and campaign strategies are aligned and mutually reinforcing.
• Lobbying, testifying, and lawmaker education

MANAGEMENT & STATE LEADERSHIP (25%)

• Manage and support California campaign staff, including the Regulatory Director,fostering growth, leadership development, and accountability.
• Cultivate a team environment grounded in trust, belonging, collaboration, and psychological safety where staff can thrive personally and professionally.
• Provide strategic guidance, coaching, and support to staff managing California campaigns and partnerships.
• Support a culture of continuous learning, feedback, and shared ownership of organizational goals.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT (15%)

• Build and collaborate with coalitions of stakeholders – including, for example, frontline communities, environmental justice advocates, consumer advocates, energy efficiency proponents, solar and energy storage developers, electric vehicle advocates, etc. – to develop and pursue win-win strategies.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE GROWTH AND LEARNING (10%)

• Continue personal learning and contributions to organizational work on diversity, equity and inclusion. 
• Be committed to embedding equity in all organizational internal practices and culture.
• Bring openness and engagement to personal, professional, and organization-wide learning on race, class, gender, justice, and equity.

REQUIREMENTS

WHAT YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. A relevant graduate degree is an advantage, but is not required.  
• Seven plus years of relevant work experience, including experience in regulatory oversight, research or advocacy.  
• Demonstrated ability to execute on key advocacy strategies to achieve our mission, including direct lobbying, policy analysis, coalition building and policy writing that summarizes complex issues for the interested public.

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

• Understanding of California’s energy landscape, including solar, storage, distributed energy resources, grid modernization, utility regulation, and emerging clean energy opportunities.
• Experience managing, mentoring, or developing staff and building collaborative, high-performing teams.
• Familiarity with California regulatory processes, including the California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, and/or California Independent System Operator.
• Ability to work with other Vote Solar team members on data visualization and policy communications to the public.
• Effective collaboration with diverse populations and allies.

MINDSETS

• 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 strong new capacity at a growing organization.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Understanding how we work (in collaborative, authentic partnership), is as important as what we work on.

LOCATION

The Senior Regional Director - California role is based in California with a preference for the Bay Area or Sacramento. This position will require some regional and national travel (several trips per year). 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 $122,745 - $128,730. At Vote Solar, we work hard to ensure that our compensation is equitable internally and aligned with our compensation philosophy and defined job levels. In order 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 apply here. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that all qualified applicants may participate in the application process. Please inform us by emailing jobs@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 a new team member’s employment eligibility. Candidates who receive an offer may be required to complete this step depending on their state of residence.