Organization: Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Closing Date:
Organization Overview
The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is a collaborative network, promoting energy efficiency to optimize energy generation and reduce consumption, create jobs and decrease carbon emissions in all Midwest communities.
At MEEA, we leverage our expertise to be the Midwest’s leading resource for our members, allies, policymakers and the broader sector to promote energy efficiency as the essential pathway to achieve a clean, affordable, equitable and sustainable future. MEEA serves as a technical resource, promotes program and policy best practices and highlights emerging technologies, all to maximize energy savings, reduce costs, improve resilience and lower energy burden.
Position Summary
The Director of Buildings Codes & Policy will be responsible for leading MEEA’s efforts in energy-efficiency building policies, including, but not limited to supporting the development, adoption, compliance, and implementation of energy codes, energy benchmarking, and Building Performance Standards (BPS) across the Midwest.
Working with the Executive Director, the Director of Buildings Codes & Policy will set the strategic direction for the Building Codes & Policy team, work with funders, and be a leading representative for MEEA with leaders in the residential and commercial building, policy, and energy spaces. The Director of Buildings Codes & Policy will manage the MEEA Building Codes & Policy staff in developing jurisdiction-specific adoption and compliance resources, including identifying appropriate messages, conducting research and analysis, developing political strategies and accessing necessary partners and allies. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Buildings Codes & Policy will work with Policy, Market Solutions & Education and Membership, Marketing & Events staff to identify opportunities to connect energy-efficient building policy efforts in support of those areas.
Additionally, the Director of Buildings Codes & Policy’s work will be to advance energy-efficient building policies at the regional, state and local levels; promote the value of energy efficiency to key thought leaders (legislators, government staff, industry and advocates); and identify best practices, trends and lessons learned from across the region and throughout the country. The Director of Buildings Codes & Policy will help represent MEEA at various meetings and will be expected to develop and foster relationships in the energy efficiency community that will advance the work of the MEEA.
Responsibilities
- Oversee all Building Codes & Policy operations for organization
- Manage Building Codes & Policy staff and lead workload management, strategy development and implementation, research and policy planning, fundraising, budgeting and grant reporting
- Manage educational and outreach activities to increase awareness and understanding of energy efficiency
- Provide technical assistance to state and local stakeholders on a range of building energy codes and building policy topics across the energy and building sectors
- Develop research and advocacy materials, including white papers, blogs, fact sheets, testimony and presentations
- Lead initiatives to increase awareness of and support for energy codes and other building policies with key thought leaders to advance the energy efficiency of Midwest buildings
- Represent MEEA externally to stakeholders, advocates, funders, MEEA members, the MEEA Board of Directors, media and the energy industry as a recognized expert
- Coordinate MEEA’s public communications on building policy-related issues at local, state and regional levels
Qualifications
The successful candidate will be expected to have the following qualifications:
- B.A. or B.S. in architecture, engineering, public policy, energy policy, environmental policy, political science or a related field
- Advanced degree in relevant field preferred
- Technical expertise in residential and commercial energy codes is required
- Minimum 8 years' experience in the buildings sector, public policy/advocacy and strategic planning required, with significant staff management experience
- Knowledge of Midwest political landscape
- Strong facilitation and coalition building skills amongst diverse stakeholders
- Strong oral presentation and writing skills
- Proven leader able to take initiative as well as work in a team environment
- History of strong project management experience with proven success with meeting deadlines and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities
- Ability to travel up to 30% of the time
Compensation
The Director, Building Codes & Policy position starts within an annual salary range of $100,000.00-$140,000.00. Compensation for a selected candidate will be commensurate with experience. MEEA offers a competitive employment benefits package that includes:
- 10 days of annual leave in the first year, 8 days of sick/personal leave, 9 holidays and 3 floating holidays
- Health insurance, including vision and dental insurance, and an employer sponsored healthcare reimbursement account
- A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
- Pre-tax commuter benefits and employer paid benefits such as term life and disability insurance
- Flexible hybrid work schedule
Location
Civic Opera Building, 20 N Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL 60606
This position is hybrid, with staff expected to reside in the Chicago area. Currently, MEEA staff are in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and work remotely the other three days.
To Apply
Visit www.mwalliance.org and navigate to our careers page. Submit your cover letter and resume through the online portal by 7/30/25. Candidates who do not submit both items will not be considered. Candidates identified for interviews will be asked to provide three references. No phone calls please.
MEEA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination with regard to race, sex, gender, color, age, religion, creed, class, sexual orientation, national origin, and disability.