About Us

The Sunrise Project is a global network of independent organizations united by a common mission: scaling social movements to drive the global transition beyond fossil fuels. We've developed a unique model that combines strategic grant-making with campaigning, supporting interconnected organizations to create powerful change aligned with our mission.

The Sunrise Project Inc. is a proud member of The Sunrise Project network. Our organizational culture is dynamic and adaptable. We're committed to supporting our team members to thrive as we tackle the urgent challenge of climate change. We believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives strengthens our strategies, teams, and movements.

The Sunrise Project Inc. takes the broadest possible view of diversity and encourages First Nations people, people of colour, people living outside of cities, people living with disabilities, neurodiverse, and LGBTQIA+ people to apply. We are continually working on becoming a better workplace for everyone.  Find out more here.

About The Role

This role will lead all state-level strategies within the overarching strategy of the US Policy & Finance (USPF) team. You’ll be the face of TSP’s state-level work, interfacing with key stakeholders including grantees, allied organizations, and contractors in the course of developing and executing campaign strategies. The USPF team is engaging states on a number of financial issues given that states regulate insurance, manage public pensions, oversee trillions in budgets and are on the frontlines of industrial policy & navigating real world resilience and readiness challenges.

This is a new senior role on the USPF team that will work closely with the US Policy Director, US Communications Director, and relevant project leads. In this role you will be given senior level responsibility and authority to develop and execute state-level strategies in collaboration with the rest of the team. You will be expected to exhibit leadership, navigate complex environments, manage relationships, and clearly communicate strategies. 

You will be relied upon for strategy development and ideas for how to decarbonize the US financial system through state-based policy and regulatory advocacy campaigns. You will support civil society campaigns focused on public sector decision makers, with strategies refreshed each year in light of political dynamics and relevant developments.  Your work could include anything from dreaming up and incubating innovative or unexpected alliances, to brainstorming urgent responses to a major new development, or working with partners on fresh analysis to inform new campaign directions. 

We support networks of organisations to work together to achieve outcomes that would not be possible by individual organisations acting alone. We expect all roles at Sunrise to actively support the capacity building of these networks and partner organisations. 

About You

You are a strong strategic thinker with well-informed political analysis, strong project management skills, and a proven ability to turn written strategy into real world impact. You’ve got a track record of identifying and implementing interventions to make positive change, informed by sharp power analysis. You have a knack for translating complex information into clear and concise communications. You understand how the U.S. political system works, especially at the state level, and have working knowledge of the political opportunities and challenges of transitioning the U.S. financial system to clean energy. 

You will be leading state work for the US Policy & Finance team which requires strong leadership skills as well as excellent collaborative instincts – you are confident leading and taking charge while also knowing how to work well with a wide range of stakeholders internally and externally. You understand relationship dynamics and are good at building trust-based relationships fast. You can navigate the  varying state political environments and you are excited to explore how state action can drive national change. You enjoy building alliances and mobilising constituencies across business and civil society to work towards a sustainable future. You excel at drawing out the best ideas from diverse groups, and facilitating collaboration for maximum impact. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and oversee the project management of state-level campaign strategies in line with the overarching mission of the US Policy & Finance Team. 

• Build relationships and facilitate collaboration with current grantees and other partner organizations, while identifying and cultivating relationships with new groups essential to our state-level campaign success.

• Facilitate collaboration with other Sunrise program teams to maximize collective impact.

• Develop and manage regranting and operating budgets for the state work including overseeing the full grant cycle for state-level partners. 

• Conduct ongoing analysis of the advocacy ecosystem to continuously adapt our strategies for maximum impact. Provide thought leadership during rapid response campaign moments, campaign shifts, and strategic pivots.

• Collaborate with the relevant communications lead on strategic communications elements of state-level work. 

Required skills and experience    

• At least 7 years’ experience in a similar or related role including unpaid, grassroots or lived experience;  or other relevant transferable skills and experience.

• Experience working in or across multiple US states on fast paced state level advocacy campaigns as well as an expert level understanding of how to advance local and state-based strategies.

• A working understanding of policies focused on the financial aspects of the clean energy transition. 

• Proven ability to develop and articulate proactive intervention strategies that support campaign goals and objectives;

• Excellent interpersonal, written and visual communications skills;

• Strong group work and facilitation skills; 

• A passion for action on climate change and a commitment to social justice, equity, diversity

Desirable Skills and Experience   

• Familiarity with issues related to the finance sector, fiscal policy, organized labor, and/or public pension governance

• Past grantmaking experience

Job requirements

• You must have full working rights for the United States.  The Sunrise Project is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.

• Previous employment reference checks will be required for successful applicants.

• Intermittent travel with advanced notice is required.

• Flexibility to adjust work hours to accommodate multiple time zones.

How Sunrise supports its staff:

The Sunrise Project Inc. (Sunrise Inc.) is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. We have the following in place to help us achieve that, noting pro rata will apply for part time staff and/or temporarily appointed-fixed term staff:

• 401(k) & employer match

• 100% employer paid health, vision and dental coverage

• Five weeks of vacation leave

• Paid Parental Leave that is gender-neutral & inclusive of all types of families, incl. Parental Return To Work & Keeping In Touch Program

• Life Leave (up to 40 days p.a. for significant personal reasons)

• Flexible Working Policy

• Floating public holidays (cultural leave)

• Employee Assistance Program

• VIDA - An AI tool to support your health and wellbeing.

• Generous allowances for:

  • Workspace Benefits incl: Macbook, initial $2,000 for home workspace and IT equipment + $800 every 2 years + up to $75/mth phone/data/internet.

  • Shared office support

• Regular all-org and team meetings & retreats

• Learning & Development Program incl. a professional development budget for you

• Coaching & manager support with regular 1:1 meetings

• Annual performance & development reviews with 360 feedback

• A co-developed work plan to ensure clarity on your role & key responsibilities

• We provide our staff with a voice on issues that concern them via consultation, eg JEDI caucuses, working groups, slack channels, surveys and meetings.

How to apply for this job

We recognize that racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, classism and other forms of discrimination creates structural barriers that impact opportunities to formal education and experience. When assessing candidates we look at more than the jobs you've been paid to do but the range of ways you've picked up skills and knowledge throughout your life. This is why we assess candidates on how well they respond to application questions and don’t require a cover letter.

Priority application deadline is October 24. This search is being run by NRG Consulting Group.