Manager, Building Codes & Policy

Organization Overview

Mission: The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is a collaborative network, promoting energy efficiency to optimize energy generation, reduce consumption, create jobs and decrease carbon emissions in all Midwest communities.

Vision: MEEA seeks an achievable pathway for all people and communities in the Midwest to receive the economic, environmental and societal benefits of energy efficiency and the larger clean energy economy.

At MEEA, we leverage our expertise to be the Midwest’s leading resource for our members, allies, policymakers and the broader sector to promote energy efficiency as the essential pathway to achieve a clean, affordable, equitable and sustainable future. We see energy efficiency as the least cost foundation of the clean energy economy, creating immediate energy savings, providing career pathways, reducing emissions, improving new and existing buildings and boosting Midwest business and industries. MEEA develops connections and engagement opportunities for a diverse group of organizations to collaboratively create practical solutions. MEEA serves as a technical resource and promotes program and policy best practices and highlights emerging technologies, all to maximize energy savings, reduce costs, improve resilience and lower energy burden.

Position Summary

MEEA seeks a self-starting, team-oriented individual with strong project management experience and personal skills. Proficiency in energy efficiency, energy codes, building science, law and policy, and/or stakeholder engagement is preferred. We offer a highly collaborative environment, where the Manager will join our committed Building Codes & Policy Team in advancing energy efficiency through MEEA’s building policy and program initiatives at the local, state, and regional levels.

The core of the Manager’s work will be to assist the Buildings Team in advancing building energy code and benchmarking ordinance/BPS adoption, implementation, and compliance. The Project Manager will coordinate with other MEEA staff who work on building-related energy efficiency programs, will represent MEEA at local, regional, and national conferences, and will develop and maintain relationships with outside organizations to further MEEA’s mission. The Manager will play an integral role in advancing MEEA’s activities at the local, state and regional levels.

Responsibilities

The primary tasks of the role are policy tracking, as well as assistance on research projects and team management. The Manager will report to MEEA’s Building Codes & Director. The Manager will be responsible for the following:

• Tracking energy code adoption and other building policy developments in MEEA’s 13-state region
• Establishing/developing subject-matter expertise and leadership
• Coordinating educational and outreach events to increase awareness and understanding of energy policy and the role of energy efficiency
• Supporting the team in project and staff management
• Assisting in strategic vision for the Building Codes and Policy team
• Supporting development and grant writing efforts of the Building Codes and Policy team
• Developing fact sheets, memos, testimony, public comments, white papers and other informational materials
• Analyzing the connections between energy efficiency, energy codes, and states’ decarbonization, equity and economic goals
• Researching energy efficiency and adjacent subject areas for white papers, data visualization and more
• Coordinating with other areas of MEEA, including Policy; Membership & External Relations; and Market Solutions & Education
• Establishing and maintaining relationships – both internally and externally – that advance MEEA’s mission
• Writing articles, blog posts and use social media to promote MEEA’s mission
• Administrative tasks, including organizing webinars, updating the website, contributing to newsletters and completing internal reporting
• Budgeting and contracting management
• Developing and giving presentations
• Developing reports and other communications with program sponsors
• Stakeholder and funder engagement via numerous communication channels
• Data entry, website updates, and other administrative/organizational tasks

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, environmental policy or a buildings-related related field
• Advanced degree in relevant field preferred
• Minimum 5 years’ experience with buildings, sustainability, advocacy, or stakeholder engagement, with knowledge of the energy industry preferred
• Enthusiasm for improving the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings
• Firm understanding of the legislative process and tracking of policy-making
• History of strong project management experience with proven success with meeting deadlines and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities
• Experience in grant writing, grant reporting or development preferred
• Strong facilitation and coalition-building skills among diverse stakeholders
• Strong oral and written presentation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Ability to work as a member of a team in a hybrid work model
• Comfortable with speaking and presenting to a virtual or in-person audience
• Understanding of or willingness to learn energy codes and building science principles
• Flexible and adaptable to new program tasks and needs
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time

Compensation

The Manager position starts within an annual salary range of $70,000-$80,000. Compensation and title for a selected candidate will be commensurate with experience. MEEA offers a competitive employment benefits package that includes:

• 10 days of annual leave in the first year, 8 days of sick/personal leave, 9 holidays and 3 floating holidays
• Health insurance, including vision and dental insurance, and an employer sponsored healthcare reimbursement account
• A 403(b)-retirement plan with employer matching
• Pre-tax commuter benefits and employer paid benefits such as term life and disability insurance
• Flexible hybrid work schedule

Location

Civic Opera Building, 20 N Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606

This position is hybrid, with staff expected to reside in the Chicago area. Currently, MEEA staff are in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and work remotely the other three days.

To Apply

Visit www.mwalliance.org and navigate to our careers page. Submit your cover letter and resume through the online portal by 2/13/25. Candidates who do not submit both items will not be considered. Candidates identified for interviews will be asked to provide three references. No phone calls please.

MEEA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination with regard to race, sex, gender, color, age, religion, creed, class, sexual orientation, national origin and disability.