Senior Industry Specialist, IICM

Program/Role: Senior Industry Specialist, IICM

Location: WFH Flexible, Minneapolis, MN. GPI’s headquarters are based at 2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 220, in Minneapolis, MN.

Reports to: Senior Program Manager, Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management

Type of Position: Full-time position

Ideal start date: October 2026

Compensation: Salary range: $74K-$84K, commensurate with experience. Benefits made available include a health plan, 401(k) retirement plan, LTD, STD, life, vision, dental, FSA/HSA, paid time off, professional development allowance, and communication stipend.

ABOUT THE GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is accelerating the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. Increased demand for GPI’s unique blend of energy expertise and consensus-derived solutions has driven organizational and programmatic growth. With headquarters in Minnesota, GPI’s operations are national in scope while retaining a core competency in the Midcontinent region. GPI is powered by more than 70 professionals and is supported by some of the nation’s most respected philanthropies.

The following values inform how we work both inside and outside GPI. It is important to us to be trusted, inclusive, equitable, pragmatic, and transformative:

Trusted. We base our approach and actions on trust, mutual respect, and accountability.

Inclusive. We achieve impact through inclusive and deliberate collaboration with diverse interests.

Equitable. We strive for equity in our approach and outcomes.

Pragmatic. We take a clear-eyed view of the world as it is, even as we seek to improve it.

Transformative. We are a bold and passionate catalyst for change.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management (IICM) program is dedicated to fostering the deployment of solutions at scale to manage carbon emissions from energy, industry, and manufacturing, while protecting and creating high-wage, family-sustaining jobs and providing economic and environmental benefits to affected communities. Through our staffing and coordination of projects from the community level to the federal level, GPI’s IICM program is playing a transformative role in building broad industry, labor, NGO, and community engagement and support for policies and project deployment necessary to put our nation on a path to net zero emissions and to achieve midcentury climate goals. The IICM team is a fast-paced, collaborative team with an entrepreneurial spirit that encourages and appreciates equal contribution from members at all levels of the team.

THIS POSITION: SENIOR POLICY SPECIALIST, INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION & CARBON MANAGEMENT

The Senior Industry Specialist supports the Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management Program by advancing the policy, market, utility, financing, and stakeholder conditions necessary to accelerate industrial innovation and decarbonization across the Midwest and beyond. The position leads policy and regulatory analysis, develops strategic resources and recommendations, and manages complex project workstreams that support industrial transformation.

Working collaboratively with GPI staff and external partners, the Senior Industry Specialist serves as a subject matter expert on industrial decarbonization, industrial energy affordability, utility innovation, and technology adoption. The role translates complex technical, economic, regulatory, and policy issues into practical strategies and actionable guidance for policymakers, utilities, industry leaders, researchers, and other stakeholders.

The Senior Industry Specialist will play a key role in identifying barriers, developing solutions, and supporting the implementation of strategies that help emerging technologies and industrial transformation efforts move from concept and demonstration to widespread deployment. The Senior Specialist will monitor legislative, regulatory, utility, market, and technology developments; identify opportunities for new initiatives and partnerships; and represent GPI through meetings, workshops, conferences, webinars, and other public engagements.

The Senior Industry Specialist will be expected to work both independently and with colleagues on projects. The successful candidate will be able to complete various work elements from conception to completion in a timely manner and follow direction that may be detailed or minimal. The ideal candidate will have the ability to work collaboratively and constructively with project participants from diverse backgrounds, interests, and points of view; exercise good judgment in a variety of situations; maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities; utilize effective methods for time management and prioritization of tasks; and possess the ability to identify and address urgent and important needs in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Hours may be flexible and are typically Monday through Friday during the business day; some nights and weekends may be required.

Some travel will also be required.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy, Market, and Regulatory Analysis

• Lead analysis of legislative, regulatory, utility, financing, and market issues affecting industrial innovation, industrial energy affordability, and technology adoption.
• Monitor emerging state, regional, and federal policy developments and assess implications for industrial stakeholders and GPI initiatives.
• Identify market, regulatory, infrastructure, and institutional barriers to the deployment of innovative industrial technologies and develop strategies to address them.
• Evaluate opportunities for policy innovation and stakeholder partnerships that can accelerate industrial transformation.

Research and Resource Development

• Develop reports, roadmaps, policy briefs, fact sheets, case studies, presentations, and other resources that communicate complex technical and policy topics to diverse audiences.
• Translate findings from technical studies, pilot projects, and stakeholder engagement activities into actionable recommendations and scalable market strategies.
• Synthesize lessons from industry, utilities, government agencies, and research organizations to support practical industrial decarbonization solutions.
• Support proposal development and strategic planning through research, analysis, and identification of emerging opportunities.

Project Leadership and Implementation

• Lead assigned project workstreams from planning through completion, including research design, work plans, timelines, stakeholder coordination, and deliverable development.
• Collaborate with project managers and teams to ensure projects reflect current policy, market, regulatory, and industry conditions.
• Support implementation of industrial decarbonization strategies by helping to develop policy, utility, financing, and market frameworks.
• Contribute to the development of new projects and initiatives that advance GPI’s industrial innovation and carbon management objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Build and maintain relationships with state agencies, utilities, industry representatives, nonprofit organizations, Tribal Nations, academic institutions, regional organizations, and other key partners.
• Design and support stakeholder engagement activities, including workshops, roundtables, interviews, advisory groups, and collaborative planning processes.
• Facilitate discussions among diverse stakeholders to identify common challenges, opportunities, and pathways for industrial transformation.
• Foster collaboration across sectors to advance technology deployment, infrastructure development, workforce readiness, and policy implementation.

Thought Leadership and External Representation

• Serve as a recognized resource on industrial innovation, utility innovation, and related policy issues.
• Represent GPI at conferences, webinars, working groups, stakeholder meetings, and other public forums.
• Communicate emerging trends, market developments, and policy insights to internal and external audiences.
• Help strengthen GPI’s leadership role in advancing industrial innovation through strategic engagement, knowledge sharing, and partnership development.

Program and Team Contributions

• Coordinate cross-program collaboration within GPI to identify opportunities for shared learning and integrated project development across GPI’s broader industry portfolio.
• Track and communicate emerging developments affecting industrial innovation.
• Participate in Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management team meetings and other programmatic activities.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Five or more years of experience in public policy, energy, climate, environmental policy, or related field. 

· Ability to translate and communicate complex scientific, technological, economic, and policy issues to diverse lay audiences.

· Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills

· High attention to detail and the ability to work independently.

· Excellent time and deadline management, project management, and team relationship skills.

· Knowledge of, or prior experience with, climate, energy, and/or environmental issues is a plus.

· Demonstrated willingness and ability to work collaboratively and effectively with very diverse individuals and institutions, including those with different backgrounds and political perspectives, with which you may personally disagree.

· Demonstrated experience contributing to and leading complex policy research, project workstreams, or multi-stakeholder initiatives.

· Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with policymakers, industry, researchers, nonprofit organizations, and other external stakeholders.

· Commitment to the mission and goals of the Great Plains Institute and its Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management Program.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Experience with additional research, visualization, or design platforms (e.g., ArcGIS, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar tools) is preferred but not required. 

The Industrial Innovation & Carbon Management team is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

EQUIPMENT USED:

This position involves the use of a desktop computer and/or laptop, a copier, a fax machine, a calculator, a printer, and a telephone.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT:

This position requires working at a desk (either sitting or standing) for extended periods, extensive use of devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse), and use of a telephone/headset.

HOW TO APPLY:

Apply online. Required application materials include a resume and a one-page cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. 

BACKGROUND ON GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE: 

GPI has a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture in which people enjoy both great freedom and great responsibility. People who thrive in this culture take personal responsibility for identifying what needs to be done and getting it done. They are initiative-takers, problem-solvers, and quick to help others. They work hard because they believe in the mission and get to spend most of their time at the intersection of what they love to do and are good at. It’s a working environment where performance is judged more by results than by time spent in a chair. We aspire to make this the best job anyone has ever had.

The Great Plains Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants.