External Affairs and Policy Coordinator

Deriva Energy•Charlotte, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Deriva Energy is seeking a dynamic and talented External Affairs and Policy Coordinator to join our team reporting to the Vice President of External Affairs, Regulatory Strategy, and Communications. The External Affairs & Policy Coordinator supports Deriva’s government relations, regulatory engagement, and public policy strategy across state and federal markets. Sitting at the intersection of project development and advocacy, this role tracks legislative and regulatory activity, builds stakeholder relationships, and coordinates cross-functional policy work to advance the company's renewable energy portfolio. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can translate complex policy landscapes into actionable intelligence for development, legal, and commercial teams. This position will be located at Deriva Energy Headquarters located in Charlotte, NC.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Policy, or related field
Bachelor's degree AND one (1) year or more of related work experience
In lieu of bachelor's degree, high school diploma/GED AND five (5) years or more years of related work experience

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Policy, or related field
Three (3) or more years of experience in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Policy, or related field
Previous Deriva Energy internship experience
Proven experience with at least three years in government affairs, stakeholder engagement, communications, preferably within the energy or a related industry
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear and compelling messages for diverse audiences
Demonstrated experience in event coordination and project management
Ability to work effectively and maintain flexibility in a fast-paced environment, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams

Responsibilities

Track federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory activity relevant to renewable energy development, permitting, interconnection, and energy markets
Produce timely policy briefs, memos, and executive summaries translating complex developments into business-relevant insights
Monitor relevant proceedings at FERC, ISOs/RTOs, state utility commissions, and legislatures; flag material risks and opportunities to leadership
Maintain a living policy tracker covering priority states and issue areas including siting, tax credits (ITC/PTC), transmission, and clean energy standards
Build and maintain relationships with state legislators, regulatory staff, local officials, and community leaders in markets where projects are active or in development
Coordinate with contract lobbyists; prepare briefing materials, talking points, and testimony as needed
Represent the company at stakeholder meetings, coalition calls, trade association working groups, and public hearings
Support public engagement efforts for early-stage projects, including community outreach events and local government presentations
Serve as the primary liaison between the External Affairs team and development, permitting, legal, and origination teams on policy-related matters
Organize and facilitate internal policy calls with subject-matter experts; develop reports and materials to inform commercial decisions
Support management of political contributions budget and trade association membership activities in accordance with company policies
Manage external affairs calendar including legislative session schedules, regulatory comment deadlines, and filing timelines
Draft regulatory comments, policy position papers, coalition letters, and advocacy materials for review by senior staff
Coordinate with communications team to align external messaging on policy priorities
Research and prepare background reports on emerging issues, political landscape, and competitive dynamics in priority markets
Manage calendars for senior External Affairs leadership, including scheduling meetings with government officials, trade association partners, and internal stakeholders
Process and submit expense reports for senior staff in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring compliance with company travel and expense policies
Prepare meeting agendas, take notes, and track action items for senior leadership and team calls
Maintain organized records of government contacts, lobbying activity logs, and political contribution documentation
Assist with onboarding materials, team communications, and department budget tracking as needed