Senior Policy Advisor, Innovation

Third Way•Washington, DC

2d•$90,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Since our founding in 2005, we have served as a critical bulwark against political extremism by advancing values-driven, reform-oriented solutions on the defining issues of our time. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, security, and democratic capitalism, and we advocate for the vital center across seven major areas: climate and energy, economy, education, health care, national security, politics, and social policy. The Senior Policy Advisor for Innovation will help shape and execute Third Way’s work to reimagine the U.S. energy innovation ecosystem, from building a more resilient clean energy funding landscape to turbocharging technology commercialization, creating a more innovative and entrepreneurial culture in government, shoring up the innovation might of the U.S. National Labs, and more. A key member of Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program (CEP), this role is best suited to individuals who excel at both strategy and operations – moving comfortably between managing policy research, thought partnering/generating big ideas, and creating clear, structured roadmaps for execution. Ideal candidates bring a background in or familiarity with innovation ecosystems or industrial strategy; a thorough understanding of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. National Labs, including how they support technology commercialization; a knack for operations, including an ability to break ambitious goals into manageable actions; and an awareness of the distinct roles that public, private, and philanthropic capital can play in funding early-stage innovation. The SPA for Innovation will also participate in cross-functional teams, drive key portions of a bipartisan innovation advocacy coalition, and develop briefings, events, and written materials that educate and advocate to policymakers on smart ways to advance energy innovation policy.

Requirements

Have a degree in a relevant field or have a minimum of five to seven years of professional experience working in a relevant field
Have familiarity with U.S. energy innovation and commercialization policy, including the role of federal appropriations for the U.S. Department of Energy
Have proven ability to manage complex projects end-to-end—building workplans, setting timelines, tracking deliverables, and driving execution across multiple workstreams
Are highly organized and execution-oriented, with strong attention to detail and consistent follow-through
Have experience supporting or executing federal policy advocacy efforts, including working with Congress and/or federal agencies to move priorities forward
Have strong relationship-building skills and comfort engaging a wide range of stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, federal staff, national labs, NGOs, industry, and investors)
Have demonstrated ability to conduct policy research and analysis, including identifying gaps, developing clear research questions, and synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations
Have familiarity with the clean energy funding landscape and innovation capital stack, including how public investment can complement private capital
Are able to write clearly and persuasively on complex issues for non-expert audiences, including memos, reports, briefs, and external-facing materials
Have a strategic mindset with interest and ability to support—and increasingly lead—long-term strategy development, frameworks, and roadmaps
Have sound judgment and comfort working in fast-moving, matrixed environments where priorities evolve and collaboration is essential
Have experience managing consultants or contractors, including scoping, coordinating, and ensuring high-quality outputs on time.

Responsibilities

Project management
Steward an annual federal appropriations campaign and other research and advocacy efforts of a bipartisan coalition of NGOs, think tanks, nonprofits, and trade associations committed to U.S. leadership in energy innovation
Oversee the execution of new and ongoing deliverables (e.g. white papers, policy memos, Hill briefing materials, advocacy campaigns, etc.), ensuring multiple complex workstreams are organized, moving, and aligned in a fast-paced environment
Take initiative by quickly turning new ideas into clear, actionable next steps
Design and oversee research and other projects conducted by external consultants.
Policy research
Identify knowledge gaps and conduct research into a range of topics, including but not limited to public and private vehicles to fund and finance innovation, technology commercialization pathways, innovation ecosystem development and growth, and enhancing the capabilities of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. National Laboratories
Conduct and oversee in-depth research that makes the case for U.S. leadership and sustained investment across a range of emerging clean energy technologies
Develop compelling and timely reports, memos, op-eds, and other written materials to educate key stakeholders both inside and outside of the federal government.
Innovative thinking / strategy support
Act as a thought partner to the Deputy Director for Innovation in shaping the trajectory, priorities, and composition of Third Way’s Innovation portfolio
Support – and eventually lead – the development of frameworks, roadmaps, and long-term strategies to restore the U.S.’s innovation edge.
Other key duties
Represent Third Way in relevant meetings, working groups, and public speaking engagements
Collaborate with Climate and Energy Program colleagues to ensure policy proposals, products, and advocacy plans are coordinated for maximum impact
Develop and nurture multiple high-value relationships across a range of stakeholders (e.g. congressional staff, agency officials, coalition partners, energy finance experts, etc.) to identify policy needs, design proposals, stay current on policy developments, and inform Third Way’s thinking on effective policy implementation
Engage with the innovation funder community, including seed/early-stage venture capital, institutional investors, commercial lenders, philanthropy, and federal grantmaking offices to identify challenges and solutions across the innovation capital stack
Engage with policymakers and staffers to educate and advocate for the advancement of key policies
May supervise and provide guidance to junior staff, fellows, or interns, as needed
Other duties as needed.