Regulatory Affairs Director, Large Loads and Market Policy

NRECA International; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 186,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

NRECA, a national trade association, seeks a Regulatory Affairs Director to advance large-load and market policy initiatives in coordination with the Government Relations team. The role focuses on policy development, advocacy, and engagement with federal agencies and market operators to shape wholesale and distribution policy impacts.

Expect a heavy emphasis on strategy, analysis, and cross‑functional collaboration, with on-site work in Arlington, VA five days per week and flexibility at

Qualifications

• 10+ years of policy experience navigating emerging challenges.
• 7+ years written and oral policy advocacy in formal and informal proceedings.
• Experience building coalitions and working with outside consultants.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with government affairs to monitor, assess, and develop policy positions on large electric loads.
• Analyze regulatory, market, and policy developments and their impact on cooperative generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
• Engage with member cooperatives to understand operational challenges and incorporate insights into advocacy.
• Develop policy papers, issue briefs, and presentations for stakeholders.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Coalition building

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris Doctor or advanced degree

Job description

Job Description

Regulatory Affairs Director, Large Loads and Market Policy

NRECA is a unique national trade association providing advocacy, financial services and business support services to over 900 consumer owned electric cooperatives across the country. NRECA employees are united by our mission, inclusive culture, collaborative workplace and commitment to service excellence. As a “best place to work” employer, we operate with integrity, transparency and a spirit of innovation.

As a member of our Government Relations department, you will be joining a team that advocates on behalf of NRECA members on federal legislative and regulatory matters and in national policy forums and develops and trains our grassroots to impact policies at the federal, state and local level. NRECA has the top policy brand reputation among trade associations in Washington, D.C. for the last 4 consecutive years.

Summary of Position

NRECA seeks an experienced and strategic policy professional to advance its work on issues at the intersection of large-load growth, wholesale electricity markets, and electric cooperative policy.

As electric demand growth accelerates due to data centers, advanced manufacturing, electrification, and other large energy users, electric cooperatives face new challenges and opportunities related to resource adequacy, transmission investment, generation planning, distribution infrastructure, reliability, and affordability. This position will help NRECA anticipate, assess, and influence policies governing how large new electric loads are integrated into the nation's electric system and how associated costs, reliability obligations, and infrastructure investments are allocated. This position requires 5 full days in office with flexibility offered at the discretion of management.

Key Responsibilities:

Large Load Policy

• Collaborate with NRECA government affairs experts to monitor, assess, and develop policy positions on large electric loads, including data centers, advanced manufacturing, and other high-demand customers.
• Analyze regulatory, market, and policy developments and their impact on cooperative generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
• Evaluate issues involving load interconnection, infrastructure investment, cost allocation, reliability, resource adequacy, and resource planning.
• Engage with member cooperatives to understand operational challenges and opportunities associated with serving large electric loads and incorporate those insights into advocacy efforts.
• Support development of advocacy strategies and policy recommendations aligned with cooperative needs and evolving federal and market policies.

Market Policy and Analysis

• Monitor and assess developments across organized wholesale electricity markets, including PJM, MISO, SPP, ERCOT, NYISO, ISO-NE, and CAISO.
• Evaluate market approaches to large-load integration, resource adequacy, transmission planning, interconnection reform, market design, and infrastructure investment.
• Identify emerging trends, compare regional market practices, and assess implications for electric cooperatives.
• Partner with NRECA's government relations team to develop policy positions on wholesale market, reliability, and resource adequacy issues.

Advocacy and Strategy Development:

• Support engagement with federal agencies, regional market operators, Congress, the Administration, and other stakeholders on large-load and market policy issues.
• Anticipate emerging policy issues and help position NRECA to influence outcomes proactively.
• Develop policy papers, issue briefs, comments, presentations, member resources, and other advocacy materials.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• 10+ years of relevant work experience demonstrating the ability to navigate emerging policy challenges where established frameworks and precedents may be limited.
• 7+ years written and oral policy advocacy in formal and informal agency and stakeholder proceedings.
• Experience building and working through coalitions and through outside consultants to advance advocacy goals.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

• Juris Doctor, Master’s or other advanced degree relating to area of responsibility preferred.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal and extensive reading.
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Salary Range: $186,000 - $230,000 annual salary

Final compensation determined by individual qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Additional Requirement:

The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

NRECA is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please e-mail [e-mail] or call: 703-907-5992 - NRECA Arlington Human Resources. Please call 402-483-9275 - NRECA Lincoln Human Resources, for Lincoln, NE employment opportunities. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released the ' Know Your Rights ' poster, which updates and replaces the previous "EEO is the Law" poster and "EEO Is the Law Poster Supplement".

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination. NRECA will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay. Please see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision for more information.

E-Verify. As a Federal Contractor, NRECA is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. For information please click on the following link: E-Verify .

For more information about life at NRECA please visit www.Electric.coop .