Director, Industrial Strategy, Climate & Energy Program

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 Director, Industrial Strategy for Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program (CEP) will lead the organization’s work to shape and advance modern American industrial strategy focused on strengthening U.S. clean energy leadership and economic competitiveness, manufacturing capabilities, supply chain resilience, and strategic trade relationships. Reporting to the Vice President for Climate and Energy, the Director will develop and execute policy, political, and advocacy strategies that position the United States to lead in the manufacturing, deployment, and export of critical energy technologies. The Director will also play a central role in setting program-wide priorities, overseeing the execution of multiple cross-cutting initiatives, supporting organizational operations, and helping position Third Way as a leading voice on American clean energy industrial strategy and competitiveness. Excellent management and verbal and written communications are a must for this position.

The Director, Industrial Strategy will…

• Lead and oversee CEP’s industrial strategy portfolio, ensuring alignment across initiatives with CEP priorities, theory of change, and organizational strategy.

• Develop, vet, and promote a centrist approach to setting pragmatic and politically-durable industrial strategy focused on strengthening U.S. competitiveness in clean energy.

• Monitor emerging political, economic, technological, and geopolitical trends affecting U.S. competitiveness and industrial strategy.

• Anticipate inflection points in relevant policy conversations and develop rapid-response advocacy strategies to influence legislative, regulatory, and political debates.

• Manage and support Deputy Directors leading CEP’s Manufacturing and Exports & Trade Initiatives, and supervise other policy staff as needed.

• Provide direction to teammates in advancing policy solutions related to domestic manufacturing, industrial capacity, critical mineral supply chains, energy infrastructure deployment, strategic trade policy, and the promotion of US nuclear energy technologies.

• Develop policy recommendations addressing tariffs, trade agreements, export controls, industrial incentives, domestic content requirements, procurement policy, and strategic supply chains.

• Oversee and contribute to high-impact reports, policy memos, op-eds, briefing materials, testimony, digital products, and strategic communications.

• Engage directly with federal policymakers, regulatory agencies, candidates for elected office, state officials, industry leaders, investors, advocacy groups, international stakeholders, and other external groups on industrial policy priorities.

• Direct staff and experts in research and engagement activities with allied governments and international institutions to identify opportunities for U.S. clean energy exports and other partnerships that support American economic and national security interests.

• Work closely with CEP leadership to establish strategic priorities, operational goals, and long-term program development plans.

• Oversee initiative budgets and resource allocation in coordination with program leadership and development staff.

• Mentor and develop staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and mission-driven team culture.

• Support fundraising and donor engagement efforts, including participating in donor meetings, preparing briefing materials, and helping develop funding strategies, proposals, and reports.

• Travel domestically and internationally as necessary to support stakeholder engagement, coalition-building, research, and advocacy efforts.

• Other duties as assigned.

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  Salary Range: $145,000 - $175,000, annually

  At Third Way, we are committed to non-discrimination and fair pay practices. The final starting salary offer will be determined based on your experience and qualifications.

Competencies:

• Strategic Communication

• Coaching

• Motivating Others

• Building Relationships

• Creativity / Innovation

• Influencing/Negotiating

• Financial Management

• External Awareness

• Accountability for Self/Others/Program

• Respectfulness

This might be the job for you, if you:

• At least eight years of policy experience focusing on manufacturing, trade, economic competitiveness, energy security, or other relevant aspects of industrial policy;

• Strong understanding of U.S. economic policy, industrial strategy, supply chains, trade dynamics, and domestic and international clean energy markets;

• Familiarity with federal policymaking processes, including within Congress, executive agencies, and regulatory bodies;

• Experience managing teams of direct reports, initiatives, budgets, consultants, and complex multi-stakeholder projects;

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute near-term and long-term strategic policy and advocacy campaigns, using written products, events, coalition-building, direct policymaker engagement, and other means;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience synthesizing complex policy, economic, political, and geopolitical information into actionable and politically-relevant messages;

• Demonstrated political acumen and ability to navigate highly sensitive or politically contentious issues;

• Passion for center-left policymaking and a genuine belief that smart electricity policy is essential to delivering an affordable, reliable, and clean energy future.

In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for:

• Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.

•  Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing its shared priorities.

• Creators: People who fosters divergent thinking; that aren’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.

• Results-oriented: People who function with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.

• Respectful: People who embrace the diverse perspectives of everyone and fosters the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at all times.

WITHIN 1 MONTH, YOU'LL...

• Participate in Third Way’s comprehensive onboarding program. You’ll learn about all aspects of Business Operations, which includes HR, Benefits, IT, Finance, and office operations.

• Meet your Third Way Buddy, be introduced to the entire staff, and start to learn the TW’s culture.

• Learn our current processes for payroll, compliance, and labor tracking, and how you will partner with Finance and the rest of the Business Operations team on these processes.

• Participate in weekly one-on-ones with your manager to ensure you fully understand the expectations of the job.

• Attend weekly team meetings. You’ll learn about the key goals of each member of your program, their progress toward these goals, what challenges they face, and how you will contribute.

• Develop an understanding of the Climate and Energy Program’s priorities and key objectives of each of CEP’s initiatives.

• Become familiar with the workloads of your direct reports and the work plans guiding CEP’s Exports & Trade Initiative and Manufacturing Initiative.

• Begin engaging with consultants, advisors, and other close partners contributing to relevant initiatives.

WITHIN 2 MONTHS, YOU'LL...

• Gain an understanding of each employee’s role and their contribution to the organization.

• Attend program overview sessions to learn more about each team’s contribution to TW’s mission.

• Incorporate TW’s Style Guide and Production process into your work products.

• Participate in, at least, one of our internal Professional Development trainings or a Center for Fun activity.

• Develop an understanding of other initiatives within CEP and in other Third Way programs and identify possible intersections with clean energy industrial strategy efforts.

• Advise team members on the execution of active deliverables and potential updates to the work plans of initiatives under your supervision.

WITHIN 3 MONTHS, YOU'LL…

• Feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with the staff, your team, and your work.

• Continue to attend weekly departmental meetings with a stronger understanding of your team’s strategic goal.

• Bring new ideas and suggestions to your weekly one-on-ones with your manager.

• Attend and participate in external functions with other members of your team.

• Complete your 90-day self-evaluation and performance review with your manager.

• Partner with your manager to establish your long-term goals for the remainder of the year.

• Have developed relationships and regular contact with external partners contributing to CEP objectives.

• Develop an understanding of CEP processes like work planning and budgeting, and be prepared to work with CEP leadership to prepare for development of 2027 work plans.

• Produce an initial set of principles and objectives for Third Way’s clean energy industrial strategy and lead internal discussions to vet and refine these ideas.

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In addition to competitive salaries, your health and wellness is our priority. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance; Health Reimbursement Account (HRA); and Flexible Spending Account (FSA, DCA, Parking, and Transit); Life Insurance; Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance; Retirement plan; Accrued Paid Sick and Vacation leave; Long-term Disability, Employee Assistant Program (EAP).

Third Way offers a hybrid work environment to support our employees’ healthy work-life balance. This position is based in Washington, DC, and Third Way’s in-office days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Third Way is an equal-opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.

Third Way does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.