Vice President of Regulatory Affairs

Position Purpose & Responsibilities

Position Purpose & Responsibilities The Vice President of Regulatory Affairs is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping, advancing, and executing NHA’s regulatory and markets strategy. As head of NHA’s Regulatory Affairs team, the VP will serve as the association’s primary liaison with the White House and federal regulatory agencies to ensure that the water power industry’s interests are represented in rulemakings, implementation programs, and compliance frameworks.

This individual will work closely with NHA member organizations, technical experts, and allied trade associations to anticipate regulatory trends, develop sound policy positions, and advocate for pragmatic solutions that preserve and enhance conventional hydropower, pumped storage, and marine energy’s competitiveness and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Strategy & Advocacy

• Strengthen NHA’s advocacy program before the Executive branch, including the National Energy Dominance Council, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the federal land-management agencies, the Department of Energy, the Internal Revenue Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• Engage industry members on wholesale electricity market issues, including environmental and energy markets, and building relationships with federal and state agencies impacting market policy, including FERC, state energy and air offices, NARUC, and others.
• Develop regulatory comments, position papers, and testimony to advance member priorities in rulemaking and regulatory processes.
• Monitor, analyze, and forecast regulatory trends affecting the hydropower and marine energy sectors, advising leadership and members on potential impacts and opportunities.

Member Engagement & Coordination

• Support NHA’s Regulatory Affairs, Pumped Storage Development, and New Development member programs, sharing key developments on regulatory and market policy issues and facilitating industry members’ ability to network and share information.
• Provide clear, timely updates and strategic recommendations to member organizations on regulatory and market developments.
• Build consensus within the industry on complex policy and technical issues, ensuring unified advocacy positions.

External Coalition & Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborate with allied industry associations, NGOs, government partners and other external organizations to shape workable regulatory frameworks.

• Cultivate relationships with senior agency officials and career staff to establish NHA as a trusted, credible resource.
• Represent NHA in coalitions and advisory groups relevant to water

Organizational Leadership

• Contribute to NHA's overall strategic plan as a member of the senior leadership
• Plan, organize, and/or lead regulatory and market sessions at NHA events, such as NHA’s Waterpower Week in Washington, Clean Currents, and regional meetings.
• Manage regulatory affairs staff, consultants and legal counsel, ensuring high-quality work products and effective representation.

Ideal Candidate Will Have

• 15+ years’ experience in senior policy positions and regulatory work or related experience in the Administration, on Capitol Hill, a trade association, law firm, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of energy issues required, with hydropower experience
• Proven ability to lead teams, work with diverse membership, and manage
• Ability to travel when
• Dynamic verbal and written communication skills with speaking experience, political advocacy and analytical skills, and a healthy sense of humor.