Director of State Policy, South East

Qcells North America; Edina (MO); Remote; USD 173,000 - 212,000; Full time

Job summary

Qcells North America is seeking an experienced solar and storage policy advocate to influence state-level policy and regulatory outcomes across the U.S. You will work with the Corporate Affairs team and report to the Senior Director of State Policy.

Responsibilities include leading strategic policy initiatives, engaging with regulators and lawmakers, and building coalitions to accelerate the distributed energy resource transformation. Remote work with travel up to 30% is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s or Law Degree preferred.
• 8-10+ years in government affairs, energy policy, or advocacy.
• Autonomous work style; represent the company with trade associations and policymakers.
• Proven track record designing and executing advocacy campaigns.
• Experience in energy policy and strategic planning in matrixed orgs.
• Strong understanding of state/local legislative/regulatory processes.
• Deep insights into political and third-party interests shaping policy.
• Excellent research, analysis, and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead strategies to open new markets and drive revenue.
• Support policy and regulatory initiatives to position the company as a market leader.
• Protect opportunities by countering harmful laws impacting solar and storage deployment.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory updates in key markets.
• Lead engagement with regulators, legislators, utilities, and trade associations.
• Testify on behalf of the company in proceedings.
• Build relationships with industry leaders and coalitions.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Regulatory affairs

Public policy

Stakeholder engagement

Legislative liaison

Regulatory compliance

Energy policy

Research and analysis

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s or JD

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Qcells is looking for an experienced and passionate solar and storage policy advocate. You will be helping influence and create policies and regulations that affect the clean energy market across the U.S. You will report to the Senior Director of State Policy and Government Relations and work closely with our Corporate Affairs team focused on federal-level advocacy. The Director of State Policy will primary support state level legislative, regulatory, compliance and public policy objectives of Qcell’s module sales, direct to homeowner financing, residential grid services, recycling and commercial business.

Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Qcells is looking for an experienced and passionate solar and storage policy advocate. You will be helping influence and create policies and regulations that affect the clean energy market across the U.S. You will report to the Senior Director of State Policy and Government Relations and work closely with our Corporate Affairs team focused on federal-level advocacy. The Director of State Policy will primary support state level legislative, regulatory, compliance and public policy objectives of Qcell’s module sales, direct to homeowner financing, residential grid services, recycling and commercial business. Your work will involve thought leadership, advocacy, and finding creative solutions to new problems. You will work closely with trade associations, policymakers, and senior leadership. We are looking for someone who thrives when faced with challenges in a dynamic industry. The ideal candidate has experience working with regulatory agencies, state legislatures, and environmental groups, leading the distributed energy resource transformation. A successful candidate will have strong experience building relationships with state-level decision makers to influence state laws and regulations to promote the rapid growth of market segments. This role requires in-depth knowledge of and strategic thinking around state regulatory policy related to residential and commercial consumer finance, state incentive and grid service programs.

This is a Remote position; the ideal candidate will be located in VA, GA, FL or TX, and have strong relationships in the southeast. Must be willing to travel.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead proactive strategies to open new markets opportunities and drive business revenue;
• Support the Senior Director of State Policy with other proactive policy and regulatory initiatives that catalyze the business as a market leader.
• Protect our existing market opportunities by fighting against harmful new laws that would decrease solar and storage deployment or burden the business/increase costs.
• Monitor and report out on relevant legislative and regulatory updates in key markets;
• Facilitates Qcells’ legislative and regulatory engagement in key markets in the southeast
• Makes recommendations to advantage the business based on industry trends
• Analyze possible impacts and responds to state regulatory and legislative policies and proceedings, particularly related to energy, solar and storage policies, grid services, interconnection, and rate design
• Serve as Qcells’ subject matter expert in meetings with regulators, legislators, utilities, industry peers, and trade associations
• Testifies on behalf of the company in legislative and regulatory proceedings
• Serve as Qcells’ trade association liaison and ensure that the company’s interests are being advanced
• Researches and communicates internally about changing policies, laws, rate structures, interconnection standards and incentive programs
• Builds new relationships and leverages existing relationships with industry leaders
• Organizes and leads industry coalitions in response to legislative and regulatory action
• Manages outside consultants

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s or Law Degree preferred
• Minimum of 8-10+ years of relevant experience in government affairs, energy policy, or legislative advocacy, with a specific focus on designing and executing successful advocacy campaigns.
• The ability to operate autonomously and to represent the company in discussions with trade associations, policymakers, non-profits and senior leaders
• Proven track record designing and executing successful advocacy campaigns
• Experience in energy policy
• Experience developing and executing strategic plans in a highly matrixed organization and collaborating with internal and external teams with a demonstrated ability to build consensus across stakeholders and advance a company’s policy objectives
• Thoroughunderstanding of state and local legislative and regulatory processes
• Deep insights into political and third-party interests influencing state and local policy debates
• Strong business acumen with broad and in depth understanding of business needs and how public policy strategies enable sought for outcomes and success
• Excellent research and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize policy updates into development strategies
• Network of contacts in the executive and legislative branches of government in key states
• Highest ethical standards and commitment to advancing clean energy policy
• Ability to organize and manage several priorities simultaneously while working under pressure and deadlines
• Highly organized and works with close attention to detail
• Exceptional writing and public speaking skills

Working Conditions

• Remote office environment
• The ability to travel 30% of the time

Compensation

In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws, the anticipated annual base salary for this position is:

• Zone 1 (Bay Area, NYC): $208,100 – $254,300
• Zone 2 (CA, NJ, NY): $190,700 – $233,100
• Zone 3 (All others): $173,400 – $211,900

The applicable salary range is based on the employee’s primary work location. Individual compensation will be determined based on qualifications, relevant experience, education, skills, internal equity, and other business-related factors.

Hanwha Q CELLS America Inc. (“HQCA”) is a Qcells company, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and providers of solar photovoltaic (PV) products and solutions. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HQCA has been rapidly expanding its business in North America through the expansion of products and solutions, including distributed energy solutions, direct-to-homeowner solar sales and financing, and EPC services. We provide an opportunity to be part of an exciting and growing world-class global business in an interesting and expanding industry of the future.

Thispositionrequirestheabilitytoperformtheessentialfunctionsoftheposition,withorwithoutreasonableaccommodation.Periodictravelandsitevisitsmayberequired.

The salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications.

• This target salary range is for CA positions only and should not be interpreted as an offer of compensation.

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