Director of Cybersecurity Policy

Job Description

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the solar and storage industry and represents more than 1,200 member companies and 263,000 Americans working across the United States. SEIA is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy and is creating the framework for solar to reach 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. We work with our member companies and strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power.

SEIA does this by supporting pro-solar policies at the state and federal level, developing cutting-edge market research, hosting educational events and webinars, and serving as the voice of the solar and storage industry.

SEIA employees are passionate, forward-thinking leaders who start every day knowing that their work makes a difference. SEIA values diversity and fosters an inclusive, lively company culture that celebrates team success. The association has earned numerous awards for its work and company culture and was named by the Washington Post as a 2023 and 2024 Top Workplace and a Best Nonprofit to Work For by the Nonprofit Times.

Position Summary

Solar and storage technologies play a critical role in ensuring U.S. energy independence and national security. Cybersecurity, grid reliability and performance of inverter-based resources have become top priorities for the industry as clean energy is deployed on the grid in record-breaking numbers every year. Solar plus storage systems have been shown to provide grid reliability services more quickly and more accurately than conventional resources. However, the power electronics aspects of these generating resources present new opportunities and challenges in terms of grid control, response to abnormal grid conditions, and cybersecurity.

As the grid undergoes these changes, SEIA is at the forefront of strengthening the solar and storage industries’ resilience to cyber threats. SEIA is collaborating with industry stakeholders, national laboratories, Congress, the Administration and other security experts both to prepare for domestic and foreign cybersecurity threats, and to ensure that solar and storage remain reliable and safe energy resources as we transition to a clean energy economy.

The Director of Cybersecurity reports to the Vice President of Policy Analysis and will act as SEIA’s technical and policy lead on SEIA’s Cybersecurity Working Group. The Director will also work closely with SEIA’s Manager of Solar and Storage Reliability Initiatives to coordinate cybersecurity and physical reliability responses for systems large and small. This role will focus on securing and protecting solar and energy storage systems, including both utility-scale installations and distributed energy resources.

The Director will broadly represent SEIA at NERC, FERC, the Department of Energy, the E-ISAC, National Laboratories, and other industry, government, and stakeholder forums related to solar- and energy storage-specific Cybersecurity policy. The Director will support SEIA’s Congressional Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, and State Affairs departments with respect to proposed legislation and with SEIA’s policy and communications teams to promote the industry’s message that cybersecurity must be incorporated into new devices, systems, and infrastructure and that “security by design” is a core component of these systems.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

• Advance public policy that positively impacts industry physical and cyber security, including secure performance of inverter-based resources, supply chain issues, telecommunications, emergency preparedness and response, and other issues as required, through regulatory practice, legislative analysis, and development of policy positions, and by representing the industry and promoting its positions before federal regulatory agencies.
• Educating SEIA members and actively engaging them in cybersecurity through culture changes, cyber informed engineering practices, focusing on "secure by design."
• Collaborate with SEIA’s Communications team, Research team, Federal Affairs staff, Technical Services team and SEIA members to help SEIA and committees develop and implement the necessary strategy to address relevant issues.
• Recognize and quickly understand issues that significantly impact the industry and provide information/data for SEIA to communicate industry viewpoint.
• Identify, analyze, and highlight proposed regulations and legislation to identify areas of concern for the industry. Create advocacy and analytical documents on regulatory and legislative proposals.
• Develop relationships and coordinate issues with allied trade and business organizations, as well as other third-party stakeholders such as NARUC and NASEO, for the purpose of building broad support for relevant issues.
• As necessary, work with industry representatives and SEIA’s Technical Services team on the development of standards and technical programs to help advance and promote safe operations and to realize advocacy wins.
• Communicate with SEIA members, organize committee and working group activities, and responds to member company inquiries.
• Support SEIA events, conferences, and other events as relevant.

Requirements

Professional Experience, Education & Other Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or higher. Technical degrees in cybersecurity, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field are preferred but not required. Strong analytic and communications skills are a higher priority than deep technical knowledge
• 5-10 years of experience in electric sector and/or cybersecurity policy development or related fields and disciplines
• Preference for candidates who can demonstrate experience working in or with the Congress and/or for an executive branch agency
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, for both expert and general audiences
• Ability to translate technical issues to policymakers, through both written materials and oral presentations
• Familiarity with applicable industry standards and positions, federal laws, regulations, policies and agency practices and procedures such as NIST CSF, NERC CIP, ISO 27001, and evolving federal and state guidelines.
• Working understanding of cybersecurity rules and regulations, bulk electric system and distribution interconnection processes and procedures, and inverter-based resource standards
• The ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team environment
• A strong work ethic and cheerful customer-service attitude to thrive in our fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Current CISSP, CISM, GIAC or other industry-recognized cybersecurity certifications preferred

Working Conditions

• Work is in an office environment or in a remote office environment that is suitably equipped with internet and telephone access
• SEIA employees in the Washington, D.C. region follow a hybrid remote and in-person office model. Employees work 3 days a week in an office environment and as needed when there are special events or meetings, but otherwise can be remote
• Travel is required for this role.
• Frequent speaking engagements

Compensation Range

$115,000 -$125,000 annually, based on experience and an excellent benefits package.

Working at SEIA

SEIA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, homelessness, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. SEIA complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which we employ staff. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SEIA is an EVERIFY employer.