Head of Policy and Public Affairs

Arbor Energy; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pre-IPO stock options

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Health savings account (HSA)

Flexible savings account (FSA)

Unlimited PTO

401(k)

Job summary

Arbor Energy seeks a Head of Policy and Public Affairs to shape the policy, regulatory, stakeholder, and public environment for deploying next‑generation carbon‑capture power infrastructure at scale.

The role serves as a strategic advisor to the executive team, leading federal and state policy efforts, monitoring legislation, and building coalitions with agencies, policymakers, and industry groups to accelerate Arbor's deployment and market leadership.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in energy policy, public affairs, or infrastructure development.
• Proven success influencing policy, regulations, or stakeholder outcomes.
• Experience in carbon capture, power generation, grid infrastructure or industrial decarbonization.
• Strong understanding of energy markets and permitting processes.
• Familiarity with Class VI permitting, EPA, DOE funding mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Shape Arbor's policy strategy at federal and state levels.
• Monitor legislation and agency actions impacting carbon capture and energy deployment.
• Represent Arbor in industry associations, coalitions, and policy forums.
• Develop and lead public affairs strategy and external engagement.
• Support executive communications and thought leadership.
• Build coalitions and advocacy strategies to accelerate deployment.

Skills

Energy policy

Public affairs

Regulatory affairs

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Project management

Education

Advanced degree

Job description

About Us

About UsAt Arbor Energy & Resources Corporation ("Arbor Energy"), we're creating technology to power our lives while protecting the planet that sustains them. Our advanced power systems deliver clean, reliable baseload electricity with zero operating emissions—modular, fuel-flexible, and engineered for the realities of today's energy demand. At the core is a supercritical CO₂ turbine with integrated carbon capture, designed to bring carbon-neutral power online quickly at meaningful scale.Our team includes aerospace engineers, combustion experts, and systems thinkers with a shared goal: to build technology worthy of the world we want to live in. While many of us began our journeys looking to the stars, we're applying that expertise here at home to deliver dependable, emission-free baseload power and a future of lasting abundance.If you share our values and are drawn to rigorous work with lasting impact, we'd love to learn more about you. Come build what the future will run on.Steward our planet : We build for tomorrow, ensuring every bolt we tighten and every hand we lend leaves our environment stronger than we found it.Lead with Love : We champion the success of our people, partners, and planet, nurturing excellence through camaraderie and rigor.Explore the Uncharted : We embrace the unknown with curiosity, using courage and discipline to transform uncertainty into opportunity.

Role Overview

The Head of Policy and Public Affairs will shape the policy, regulatory, stakeholder, and public environment necessary to deploy next-generation power infrastructure with carbon capture at scale.

Strategic Policy Leadership

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team, and cross-functional leadership on policy, regulatory, stakeholder, and market-shaping issues.
• Develop and execute Arbor's federal and state policy strategy in support of commercial deployment objectives.
• Monitor emerging legislation, regulations, and agency actions impacting carbon capture, power generation, grid infrastructure, energy markets, and industrial decarbonization.
• Represent Arbor in industry associations, working groups, coalitions, and policy forums.
• Provide strategic recommendations that help position Arbor for long-term growth and market leadership.

Public Affairs and Strategic Engagement

• Develop and lead Arbor's public affairs strategy and stakeholder engagement approach.
• Help shape the external narrative around Arbor's technology, market opportunity, and role in addressing growing electricity demand.
• Partner with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to establish Arbor as a trusted participant in public policy discussions.
• Develop coalitions and advocacy strategies that support Arbor's long‑term business objectives and market development efforts.
• Support executive communications, thought leadership, and external engagement efforts.

Permitting and Deployment Enablement

• Develop strategies that help accelerate permitting and regulatory pathways necessary for commercialization.
• Support efforts to improve and accelerate project‑enabling processes, including grid interconnection and Class VI permitting where relevant.
• Build relationships with federal, state, and regional agencies that influence deployment timelines.
• Identify policy and regulatory barriers to deployment and develop mitigation strategies.

Government Funding and Strategic Partnerships

• Identify, pursue, and help secure non‑dilutive funding opportunities across federal, state, and regional programs.
• Coordinate with technical, commercial, and finance teams to support grant applications and funding strategies.
• Develop relationships with agencies, policymakers, and funding organizations that can accelerate Arbor's growth.

Requirements

• Proven track record of at least 10+ years' experience in energy policy, public affairs, government affairs, infrastructure development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success influencing policy, regulatory, legislative, or stakeholder outcomes.
• Experience in carbon capture, power generation, grid infrastructure, natural gas, industrial decarbonization, or similar.
• Strong understanding of energy markets, infrastructure development, permitting processes, or industrial project deployment.
• Familiarity with Class VI permitting, EPA programs, DOE funding mechanisms, and energy infrastructure development.
• Exceptional executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with senior policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to operate independently in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree.
• Experience working in a startup environment.

Benefits & Compensation

• Pre-IPO stock options
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Arbor covers 90% for employees)
• Basic life insurance fully covered
• Health savings account (HSA) with matching
• Flexible savings account (FSA)
• Unlimited PTO
• 12+ company holidays, including Earth Day!
• 401(k)
• Commuter benefits
• Annual learning and development stipend
• And more!

Base Pay

Base Pay : $200,000 - $220,000 USD/year. The salary is subject to the applicant's skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.

Our Commitment

Arbor Energy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Solving global energy challenges require a wide range of perspectives and experiences, and we are committed to building a team that reflects the world we serve.

Our hiring process is designed to be accessible, fair, and focused on the work that matters most for this role. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process and employment—please let us know if you need one.