Senior Associate, Building Electrification Policy - Carbon-Free Buildings Program

Program Overview

RMI's Carbon-Free Buildings Program works to transform residential and commercial buildings to operate without fossil fuels. Our team develops and advances policies, market strategies, and technical solutions that reduce emissions while improving affordability, resilience, health, and economic outcomes. The Building Electrification Policy team works with state and local governments, utilities, regulators, advocates, and industry partners to design and implement policies that support building decarbonization. Areas of focus include utility regulation, appliance standards, energy efficiency, electrification incentives, codes and standards, finance, affordable housing, and equitable implementation strategies.

Core Responsibilities

• Policy Research and Analysis
• Conduct research and analysis on building electrification, utility regulation, energy policy, and decarbonization strategies.
• Evaluate legislative, regulatory, and market opportunities developments affecting building decarbonization in priority states (West/Intermountain West or Eastern US).
• Develop policy recommendations supported by quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Synthesize complex technical and policy information into clear findings and actionable recommendations.
• Contribute to reports, policy briefs, regulatory comments, presentations, and other external-facing products.
• Project Management
• Lead discrete projects and workstreams from design through execution.
• Develop workplans, manage timelines, coordinate contributors, and ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Support project budgeting, reporting, and partner communications.
• Track project milestones and help ensure alignment with program objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, utility regulators, advocates, utilities, industry representatives, and other partners.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings, workshops, working groups, and conferences.
• Support coalition-building efforts and collaborative policy development processes.
• Represent RMI in external meetings and public forums.
• Strategy Development
• Contribute to the development of policy strategies that advance building electrification in priority states and regions.
• Identify emerging policy opportunities, risks, and trends.
• Support program leadership in evaluating and prioritizing strategic opportunities.
• Thought Leadership and Communications
• Develop presentations, articles, webinars, and other materials for external audiences.
• Present research findings and policy recommendations to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Support media engagement and public communications efforts as appropriate.
• Business Development and Organizational Contribution
• Contribute technical content and analysis for grant proposals and donor reports.
• Support development of new project opportunities and partnerships, including RFPs.
• Participate actively in program and organizational initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of relevant professional experience in related fields, such as energy policy, climate policy, utility regulation, building decarbonization, public policy, or other fields relevant to the decarbonization of electricity systems.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Ability to translate complex technical and policy concepts into clear, actionable insights.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Commitment to advancing equitable and market-based climate solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with state agencies, energy policy, and NGOs.
• Experience developing or implementing building decarbonization, energy efficiency, electrification, or climate policies.
• Familiarity with legislative and regulatory processes in Western or Eastern U.S. states.
• Experience working with state agencies, local governments, utilities, advocates, or community organizations.
• Knowledge of building energy systems, building science, or energy economics.
• Experience facilitating stakeholder engagement processes or multi-party collaborations.
• Experience contributing to grant-funded projects and proposal development.