Senior Manager, Economic Analysis, U.S. Climate

EDF envisions a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. We seek talented candidates who share our Core Values of Respect, Results, Innovation, Optimism, and Integrity, and support our Commitment to Diversity.  

Program Overview

EDF has long been a leading voice on the design of U.S. climate policy and a champion of market-based solutions to environmental issues, including programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. We helped design the sulfur dioxide cap-and-trade program; were instrumental in passing and implementing California’s emission trading system under its AB32 law; and played a lead role in the effort to pass comprehensive climate legislation in the U.S. Congress in 2009-2010. EDF’s U.S. Climate team continues to be at the center of this policy analysis and development, incorporating economic, scientific, and legal expertise to secure effective and equitable policy change at the state, federal, and regional levels to curb climate pollution. 

Overall Function

The Senior Manager will play a lead role on a growing team, helping to shape EDF’s vision for effective and equitable federal climate policy in the Biden-Harris Administration and new Congress. This includes identifying and overseeing research and analysis critical to informing and advancing our climate policy positioning as well as leading the development of economic analysis, technical reports, and analytical tools. The Senior Manager will ideally be based in Washington, D.C.  and report to the Senior Director of U.S. Climate Policy & Analysis, while working in close collaboration with a range of EDF’s climate, economic, and political experts.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee rigorous economic and technical analysis related to a range of federal climate and energy policy proposals - including climate-focused economic recovery investments, carbon pricing, regulatory programs, and sector-specific policies
• Identify research and analytical needs to be met through external experts, consultants, and partners
• Manage workflows of consultants as well as multiple cross-cutting staff including analysts and economists
• Help inform EDF’s U.S. federal climate policy objectives and advocacy positions on major policy design elements
• Write and prepare white papers, technical reports, policy briefs, and communications materials aimed at external audiences
• Develop and deploy analytical tools designed to educate external stakeholders (e.g., Congressional staff) and inform internal thinking on policy design
• Present analysis and findings through clear and compelling oral presentations to both internal and external audiences
• Develop timely, comprehensible, politically salient materials for policy makers, media outlets, and other stakeholders (including analyses, fact sheets, answers to specific queries, and other information as needed) in close coordination with relevant EDF staff
• Provide rapid response review and evaluation of externally produced policy relevant economic analysis
• Draft internal decision memos, policy documents, testimony, talking points, etc.
• Represent EDF in external settings (e.g. meetings with policy makers, Congressional staff, other environmental organizations, research institutions, or businesses)
• Contribute to funding proposals and reports

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates with a demonstrated ability to oversee and conduct rigorous research and technical economic analysis in the area of climate and/or energy policy. Candidates must have exceptional problem solving skills and a demonstrated ability to ensure consistency and quality of research products. You should also have:

• Graduate degree in economics or public policy with more than 6 years’ experience working on climate and/or energy policy issues, including relevant research or analytical work
• A deep understanding of market-based climate policy, especially carbon pricing, and relevant fundamentals of economic theory and practice
• Demonstrated success in managing and conducting rigorous energy and economic analysis
• Proven ability to lead small teams, oversee multiple complex projects, and to work collaboratively across programs in a complex multidisciplinary organization
• Strong ability to effectively synthesize and communicate technical and policy findings in a clear and concise manner to colleagues internally and to external non-technical audiences
• Excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Creative thinking ability, including strong economic intuition
• Enthusiasm and aptitude for understanding politics and working within political context
• Passion for environmental protection, coupled with a focus on pragmatic, results-based policy solutions
• Strong ability to set priorities and take initiative consistent with broad strategic guidance and to execute in a fast-paced environment with changing needs and critical deadlines

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.