Michigan State Lead - Lobbyist and Strategist

About This Role

Climate Cabinet is seeking an experienced Michigan State Lead to build powerful climate outcomes by working directly with state legislators, Climate Cabinet staff, and coalition partners across Michigan. This is a leadership position with high agency that reports to the Deputy Policy Director and operates within clearly defined strategic parameters set at the national level. You will strengthen Climate Cabinet's presence in the Michigan legislature while scaling up policy and political work across the state.

This role emphasizes coalition work, legislator relationship development, and close collaboration with Climate Cabinet's national teams to ensure cross-state alignment and shared learnings.

Key Responsibilities

• Legislative Representation: Represent Climate Cabinet in the Michigan legislature by building strong lawmaker relationships through consistent lobbying, policy education, and coalition work.
• Strategy Development: Help shape and advance Climate Cabinet's Michigan legislative strategy and political agenda in collaboration with Legislative team leadership, the Political Director, and the national team.
• Policy Expertise: Bring robust, specific policy and legislative expertise that helps Climate Cabinet advance, defend, and adapt priority climate policies in Michigan and nationally.
• Media and Stakeholder Engagement: Represent Climate Cabinet in Michigan media and to funders, working in close collaboration with the national team.
• Cross-Team Coordination: Work in close coordination with national legislative and political teams to ensure alignment with both state and national climate goals.
• Leadership and Agency: Lead initiatives independently while maintaining strategic alignment with organization-wide objectives and reporting structure.

About Climate Cabinet

Climate Cabinet helps state and local candidates run, win, and legislate on climate change. The organization recognizes that state and local policymakers are critical to tackling climate change—they drive progress regardless of who holds the U.S. presidency. Climate Cabinet operates as a dynamic, passionate startup team of experienced climate experts with staff on the ground across the country and a remote-first workplace culture.

The team prioritizes: supporting each other as full people, striving for the highest standard of excellence, respecting local knowledge, embracing technology and innovation, cultivating curiosity, and maintaining a continuous growth mindset.

Location and Travel Expectations

This position is based in Michigan with flexible work arrangements. The role requires being in Lansing approximately 40% of the time, roughly 2 days per week on average, though some weeks may require additional time in the state capital for legislative sessions or strategic initiatives. The role also involves some out-of-state travel for team retreats, conferences, and in-person national meetings. Candidates should be prepared for regular travel to Michigan's capital and occasional national engagement.

Timeline and Start Date

Priority deadline for applications: May 29, 2026
Target start date: Mid-July 2026

💰 Salary Range: $81,000–$95,500 USD annually, based on experience and qualifications.