VP, Public Policy and Government Affairs

FuelCell Energy•Danbury, CT

3d•$245,000 - $280,000•Hybrid

About The Position

FuelCell Energy is a global leader in decarbonizing power and producing hydrogen through its proprietary fuel cell technology. The Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs will serve as the organization’s senior-most leader for government affairs, public policy, regulatory strategy, and stakeholder engagement across the energy sector with a particular focus on electric power generation, electric power distribution, electric and gas distribution (LDCs) utilities at a country, federal, state, and local municipality level. This executive will develop and execute an integrated federal, state, and local strategy that advances the company’s business objectives aligned with its sales goals, strengthens its reputation with policymakers and regulators, local communities, and positions the organization as a credible, constructive voice on energy policy, infrastructure, reliability, affordability, sustainability, and market development. The role will partner closely with the CEO and Global Head of Sales, executive leadership team, legal, communications, operations, and sustainability leaders to anticipate public policy and regulatory developments, assess business impacts, community engagement and education on the benefits of our power generation technology, shape advocacy priorities, and guide the organization through a dynamic political and regulatory environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, law, economics, business, energy policy, public administration, or a related field; advanced degree, law degree, or relevant graduate study preferred.
Legal and regulatory depth, a JD whose career has concentrated on energy, regulatory, and tax policy, bringing the analytical rigor to navigate complex rulemaking, agency proceedings, and statutory interpretation is a plus.
15+ years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, public policy, regulatory affairs, legislative affairs, energy policy, public affairs, or a related field.
Senior federal policy leadership, a decade or more as a congressional Legislative Director, Chief of Staff, agency oversight director, or government-affairs principal, with a direct hand in landmark tax, energy, infrastructure, and trade legislation and deep committee experience across the tax-writing and appropriations panels (Senate Finance, House Ways & Means, Appropriations) on both sides of the aisle is a plus.
Global policy fluency, demonstrated command of the regulatory, trade, and government-affairs landscape across the world's major developed and emerging markets, with a history of engaging foreign governments, regulators, and multilateral institutions on energy, trade, infrastructure, and cross-border investment.
Extensive experience in the energy industry, including exposure to regulated utilities, independent power, oil and gas, renewable energy, transmission, infrastructure, energy markets, or adjacent sectors.
Demonstrated success developing and executing policy and advocacy strategies at the federal, state, and local levels.
Deep understanding of the political, legislative, regulatory, and stakeholder landscape affecting the energy sector.
Proven ability to build trusted relationships with policymakers, regulators, trade associations, community stakeholders, and senior internal leaders.
Experience leading teams, managing external advisors or lobbyists, and overseeing government affairs budgets.
Strong executive communication skills, including the ability to brief senior leaders, prepare Board-level materials, testify or present in public settings, and simplify complex policy matters for diverse audiences.
High integrity and sound judgment, with demonstrated knowledge of lobbying compliance, political activity rules, ethics requirements, and reputational risk management.

Nice To Haves

Experience working directly with or within federal or state legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, governor’s offices, energy commissions, public utility commissions, or relevant executive branch agencies.
Senior federal policy leadership with at least 10+ years advising top congressional leaders and a hand in legislation of consequence, on the order of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Recovery Act, and major trade, energy, and infrastructure bills with committee-level fluency in tax, appropriations, and energy policy across both parties.
Experience with major energy transition topics, including grid reliability, affordability, resiliency, decarbonization, renewables, storage, hydrogen, carbon management, transmission development, pipeline infrastructure, natural gas, permitting reform, or environmental regulation.
Prior leadership of a political action committee, grassroots advocacy program, coalition initiative, or enterprise-wide policy function.
Experience advising senior executives during high-profile regulatory proceedings, legislative campaigns, crisis events, public hearings, or major infrastructure initiatives.

Responsibilities

Develop, lead, and execute the company’s government affairs and public policy strategy across federal, state, regional, and local jurisdictions, aligned with our sales objectives, enterprise strategy, and growth priorities.
Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, Global Head of Sales, General Counsel, executive leadership team, and Board on legislative, regulatory, political, reputational, and market risks and opportunities affecting the energy industry across all global markets in which we do business or target to do business.
Build and maintain strong, bipartisan relationships with elected officials, regulators, agencies, governors’ offices, legislative staff, industry associations, community leaders, and other policy influencers.
Monitor, analyze, and forecast energy policy and regulatory developments, including matters related to power markets, transmission and infrastructure, permitting, reliability, affordability, environmental policy, emissions, clean energy, natural gas, electrification, tax policy, and economic development.
Translate complex policy, regulatory, and legislative developments into clear, actionable guidance for business leaders and functional teams.
Lead advocacy strategies to shape legislation, regulations, administrative actions, regulatory, and public policy outcomes that support the company’s business objectives and broader energy priorities.
Represent the company before government bodies, regulatory agencies, trade associations, coalitions, conferences, and public forums.
Develop policy positions, testimony, briefing materials, white papers, executive talking points, public comments, and other materials that support advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
Oversee external government affairs consultants, lobbyists, trade association participation, coalition partnerships, and related budgets to ensure alignment, effectiveness, compliance, and accountability.
Partner with legal, compliance, and finance teams to ensure all lobbying, political engagement, PAC-related activity, and reporting obligations meet applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
Serve as PAC Chair, raise PAC Funds, and collaborate with the PAC Board on approval and distribution of PAC contributions aligned to the Company’s goals.
Collaborate with communications and community affairs teams to protect and enhance the company’s reputation with policymakers, regulators, customers, communities, and industry stakeholders.
Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing government affairs and public policy team, establishing clear goals, performance measures, talent development plans, and a culture of integrity and collaboration.