About ACEEE

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) is turning today’s energy challenges into opportunities for stronger communities, a more resilient economy, and a livable climate for all. We are a nonprofit research organization that develops practical, cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency across the economy. Our work has helped shape landmark policies, catalyze clean technologies, and make energy efficiency the nation’s most productive energy resource.

As electricity demand rises due to electric vehicles, data centers, and new manufacturing, energy efficiency is one of the most practical, affordable, and immediate tools to cut emissions, keep costs down, and make sure the clean energy transition benefits everyone, especially low-income and historically underserved communities. ACEEE’s vision is a clean energy future that secures a healthy planet and better lives for all.

The Opportunity

ACEEE seeks a Research Editor to ensure our research and policy publications are accurate, clear, and compelling for the audiences we serve. The Research Editor will lead the editorial process for major written products, including reports, white papers, scorecards, briefs, and blogs, from early framing through final publication.

This role is central to ACEEE’s impact. You will help translate complex technical work into accessible, solutions-focused writing that supports policymakers, practitioners, advocates, funders, and the media. You will manage the editorial calendar, keep projects on schedule, and lead the review process so that ACEEE’s publications remain trusted, timely, and influential.

The Research Editor reports to a senior director and works closely with research, communications, and development staff across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial leadership and developmental editing

• Leads executive and developmental editing for ACEEE publications and other written products.
• Evaluates drafts for content, structure, argument, clarity, and alignment with ACEEE’s mission and strategy.
• Works with authors early in the process to clarify research questions, audiences, key messages, and deliverables.
• Helps authors refine narratives, methods sections, and conclusions so that findings are rigorous and actionable.
• Reviews manuscripts with an equity and accessibility lens.

Editorial workflow, calendar management, and quality assurance

• Manage the editorial calendar for major research publications, coordinating timelines across teams.
• Sets, communicates, and tracks deadlines for authors, reviewers, and editors, and keep projects moving to publication.
• Manages the review workflow for assigned projects, including internal and external review and revision cycles.
• Synthesizes input from subject matter experts and external reviewers and work with authors to address feedback.
• Processes copy editor queries and author changes, ensuring edits preserve technical accuracy and strengthen clarity.
• Ensures that all written products conform to ACEEE’s style guide and SOP for written projects; help update guidance as needed.
• Updates the ACEEE style guide as necessary. 

Author support and capacity building

• Coaches authors on planning, drafting, revising, and responding to review comments, with a focus on clear, concise, and persuasive writing.
• Helps refine outlines, tables of contents, and key messages for major publications before drafting begins.
• Develops and delivers internal training and resources on writing and editing for different audiences (policymakers, practitioners, industry, funders, media).
• Partners with communications and research leadership to maintain and improve editorial tools and standards.

Writing and rewriting

• Writes and rewrites blogs, web pages, and other outward-facing content that communicates ACEEE’s findings and recommendations in accessible, solutions-focused language.
• Drafts or refines executive summaries, key findings, and calls to action that highlight the real-world implications of ACEEE’s work for affordability, equity, climate, and competitiveness.
• Edits grant proposals and related materials as needed to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with ACEEE’s mission and brand.

Supervision and vendor management

• Oversees a pool of contract editors, including onboarding, training in ACEEE style and standards, assigning work, and reviewing performance.
• May supervise at least one junior staff member, including setting clear expectations and supporting professional development.

Qualifications

Required

• Excellent writing and editing skills, including developmental, substantive, and line editing for complex research and policy content.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a major operational function, preferably an editorial or publications program, including setting standards and improving processes.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize large amounts of technical information into clear, well-organized written products for nontechnical audiences.
• Experience in mentoring and coordinating the work of staff and vendors.
• Strong project management skills, including oversight of an editorial calendar, setting and tracking deadlines, and leading cross-team review processes to keep complex publications on schedule.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; able to work effectively with staff at all levels and across teams.
• Analytical and detail-oriented, with a commitment to accuracy, consistency, and high-quality work.
• Comfort with digital tools for document management, collaboration, and publishing (for example, Microsoft Word with tracked changes, project tracking systems, and content management systems such as WordPress).
• Commitment to ACEEE’s mission and to integrating equity and inclusion into communications and research.

Education and experience

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as journalism, communications, public policy, English, environmental studies, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least five years of professional experience in writing and editing, with significant expertise in developmental or executive editing for research or policy organizations.
• Or a bachelor’s degree with at least 7 years of relevant experience. 

Preferred

• Experience editing content related to energy, climate, environment, economics, or public policy.
• Experience working in or with mission-driven nonprofits, think tanks, or research organizations.
• Familiarity with emerging topics such as the energy and climate implications of data centers, artificial intelligence, and electrification, or interest and ability to learn these areas quickly.

Preferred start date: February 2026, or as soon as a suitable candidate is found.

Location: Flexible. This position can be fully remote or based in ACEEE’s Washington, DC office, on a full-time or hybrid basis. 

Salary and Benefits: $83,862–104,827, commensurate with experience. ACEEE offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision disability, and life insurance coverage; a 403(b) retirement plan; transportation and bike share benefits (if located in DC-MD-VA area); 3 weeks of vacation in the first year and 4 weeks thereafter, 11 federal holidays and office-wide closure for the week between Christmas to New Year’s. This is a full-time, exempt position. 

To Apply: Click the link below to submit a cover letter and resume describing your interest in and qualifications for the Research Editor position. In your cover letter, please highlight examples of complex publications you have edited and describe your role in managing timelines and review processes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3794737/American-Council-for-an-Energy-Efficient-Economy/Research-Editor

Please let us know how you heard of this opening.

ACEEE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination with regard to race, sex, color, age, religion, creed, class, sexual orientation, national origin, and disability. ACEEE is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in its organization and encourages applicants with diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply.