Senior Associate

Hua Nani Partners (HNP) is seeking a politically savvy Senior Associate to support climate and clean energy policy projects, with a primary focus on California legislative and regulatory developments, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate combines strong policy and analytical skills with political instincts, an understanding of how decisions get made, and experience navigating campaigns, legislative processes, or advocacy efforts. We are particularly interested in candidates who bring experience in political campaigns, issue advocacy, legislative affairs, coalition building, or other environments where understanding political dynamics, building relationships, and advancing strategic objectives are essential. Working closely with project leads and colleagues, the Senior Associate will monitor and analyze policy developments, assess political and stakeholder dynamics, prepare compelling client materials, coordinate with partners, and help translate research and political insights into practical recommendations. This is a hands-on policy, strategy, writing, and project delivery role. The Senior Associate will take ownership of defined tasks and workstreams, exercise sound political and professional judgment, and represent HNP effectively in client and partner interactions, while working with senior staff on overall project direction, policy strategy, and client relationships. This opportunity is available as either a full-time exempt or part-time independent contractor position, with candidates based in Sacramento or the San Francisco Bay Area strongly preferred.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

California Policy & Legislative Engagement

• Monitor and analyze California legislation, budget proposals, agency actions, regulatory proceedings, and relevant policy developments affecting climate and clean energy priorities.
• Research bills, amendments, hearings, rulemakings, and implementation issues, identifying not only substantive policy implications but also political considerations, stakeholder interests, and opportunities for engagement.
• Track legislative priorities, political dynamics, key decision-makers, and emerging opportunities or challenges that could influence policy outcomes.
• Prepare legislative trackers, policy briefs, memos, talking points, presentations, advocacy materials, and other written materials for internal and external use.
• Support the development and execution of policy advocacy strategies, legislative engagement plans, and campaigns to advance client and project priorities.
• Apply political judgment to help assess the feasibility, timing, and strategic implications of potential policy approaches.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coalition Coordination

• Support strategic engagement with legislative offices, state agencies, regulatory bodies, advocacy organizations, utilities, community-based organizations, and other partners.
• Help identify key stakeholders, understand their interests and motivations, and develop approaches for building support around shared policy objectives.
• Support coalition-building and advocacy efforts, including coordinating partner priorities, tracking commitments, aligning messaging, and organizing collective action.
• Prepare meeting agendas, briefing materials, notes, follow-up correspondence, and action trackers; help organize briefings and convenings.
• Build productive working relationships with clients and partners, demonstrating political awareness, diplomacy, and sound judgment in external interactions.

Project Delivery & Client Support

• Manage assigned tasks and defined workstreams, including timelines, deliverables, quality control, and proactive updates to project leads.
• Draft substantive sections of client deliverables and synthesize complex policy and political information into concise, accurate, actionable recommendations.
• Contribute strategic insights informed by policy analysis, political developments, stakeholder perspectives, and practical implementation considerations.
• Contribute research and written content to proposals, scopes of work, and other business development materials.
• Collaborate effectively across project teams, incorporate feedback, and contribute to the successful execution of project tasks.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of relevant professional experience in political campaigns, legislative affairs, policy advocacy, government, coalition organizing, climate and energy policy, consulting, or a related field.
• Demonstrated political acumen and an understanding of how policy decisions are shaped by political dynamics, stakeholder relationships, public narratives, and institutional processes.
• Experience working on political campaigns, issue advocacy campaigns, legislative campaigns, ballot initiatives, or other efforts to influence public policy or political outcomes is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with or supporting the California Legislature, state agencies, advocacy organizations, or policy coalitions.
• Ability to assess political and stakeholder dynamics, identify strategic opportunities, and exercise sound judgment in politically sensitive situations.
• Familiarity with California's political and policymaking landscape, including legislative processes, advocacy strategies, and key institutions.
• Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in climate and energy issues such as clean electricity, building electrification, transportation decarbonization, energy affordability, or utility regulation.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct policy research, track legislative or regulatory developments, and communicate findings accurately and clearly.
• Strong writing, editing, analytical, and presentation skills, including the ability to develop persuasive messaging, policy briefs, talking points, memos, and client-facing materials.
• Experience coordinating multiple assignments, managing deadlines, and working effectively with colleagues, coalitions, and external stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills, political judgment, discretion, initiative, and ability to work independently within an established project direction.
• Formal facilitation training or experience facilitating meetings, workshops, or stakeholder discussions is preferred but not required.
• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, environmental studies, economics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

The starting salary for this role is $80,000 annually, with the opportunity to earn an additional performance-based annual bonus. HNP also offers a generous benefits package for full-time employees including the following:

Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous and flexible paid time off to support work-life balance.

Paid Holidays: 15 paid holidays annually.

Comprehensive Health Benefits: Employer-sponsored medical coverage with 100% of employee premiums and 50% of eligible dependent premiums covered, plus life insurance and short-term and long-term disability benefits.

401(k) Retirement Plan: 100% employer match on contributions up to 4% of compensation, with full vesting after six months of employment.

Profit-Sharing Bonus: Opportunity to earn additional compensation based on company performance.

Family and Medical Leave: Up to four months of leave, including one month at 100% pay and an additional three months at 50% pay.

Remote Work Stipend: Annual allowance to help cover remote work expenses.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply through our Gusto application portal and submit a resume and cover letter.

As part of your application materials, please also briefly address the following questions:

1. What unique skills, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to HNP, and how would they contribute to your success in this role?
2. What draws you to HNP and our work, and why does this opportunity align with your professional interests and goals?

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by November 20, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.