About Us

Climate Lead empowers philanthropic leaders everywhere to take immediate and far-reaching climate action. By serving as an impartial guide, Climate Lead equips new climate philanthropists with the information and insights they need to drive transformative solutions. We cut through the complexity by curating roadmaps, in partnership with a diverse network of experts, to help philanthropists make a bold impact on climate from day one.

Summary

This interim position provides coverage for the parental leave of our Director, Operations and will serve as Operations Lead from October 2025 to May 1, 2026, providing strategic oversight of operational functions, driving process improvements, and ensuring operations continuity. The coverage period is from  October 2025 - Friday, May 1, 2026. 

Managerial Responsibilities

This role manages one direct report: Coordinator, Operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Director, Operations Transition Priorities

• Lead the completion of the 2026 planning process, ensuring the successful approval of both organizational and team OKRs.
• Lead the monthly OKR process and manage communication of 2025 results to staff in early 2026.
• Establish the 2026 monthly OKR check-in process, incorporating any necessary revisions for improvement.
• Oversee the completion of the tech transition and successfully manage change to the new tech stack by December 2025.
• Plan and execute the logistics of the annual retreat.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Operations Support for the Team

• Serve as strategic point of contact for the Climate Lead team, overseeing resolution of complex operational, contractual, and cross-functional inquiries to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Identify, diagnose, and drive resolution of systemic process and infrastructure challenges, partnering with senior leadership to implement scalable solutions that enhance operational efficiency and support strategic growth.
• Lead continued contract management for the organization, including oversight of contract strategy, risk mitigation, compliance, and process optimization in partnership with legal, finance, and program leadership.
• Oversee organizational risk management practices, proactively identifying operational risks and developing mitigation strategies in coordination with cross-functional leadership.
• Drive the strategic direction and execution of the organization-wide Google Drive transition.
• partnering with the IT team to ensure a seamless, secure, and well-organized migration aligned with long-term information management goals.

Success Criteria

Exceptional Communication - Communicates with impact (verbal and written); listens well and can easily learn to communicate in someone else’s “written voice”; proven track record of crafting clear and focused messages for high-profile stakeholders.

Strategic Thinking - Highly strategic thinker; data driven and analytical in approach to solving problems; serves as trusted advisor and brainstorming partner. Possesses acumen to learn Climate Lead’s model to offer thoughtful ideas and insights.

Drives Execution - Results-focused and action-oriented. Naturally zeroes in on next steps; leverages keen people skills to work with internal/external teams to keep projects on track. Takes initiative on projects with a self-starter mentality and independent work ethic. Knows when to slow down and simplify before jumping to execution; balances action with intention and strategic orientation. 

Structured Systems and Process Mindset - Creates order out of chaos with attention to simple practices and processes allowing for transparency and collaboration. Builds systems to promote effectiveness and efficiency.

Dealing with Ambiguity - Thrives in fast-paced, startup environments amongst conflicting priorities; able to navigate the gray areas; can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; when things are up in the air, approaches with optimism; can juggle many moving parts; can comfortably handle risk. 

Strong Emotional Intelligence and Management Skills - Contributes to a positive working environment through excellent modeling of organizational values and culture; has a demonstrated track record of influencing others in a matrixed and collaborative environment; a natural manager and coach who provides supports and mentorship; brings cross-functional teams together to creatively solve problems that don’t have obvious or easy solutions.

Required Experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience leading organizations through an OKR planning process.
• Experience leading and managing logistics for in-person, all-company retreats, or other similar events. 
• Ability to act as an information funnel, filter, and facilitator with a variety of stakeholders.
• Manages time and resources effectively to accomplish objectives within allotted time.
• Serves as a thought partner; challenges ideas and offers a different perspective.
• Determines, prioritizes, and project manages cross-functionally.
• Provides critical and thoughtful analysis, recommendations, and options for high impact decisions.
• Provides on the ground feedback that is independent, informed, and objective.
• Promotes team integration as well as cross-functional communication and collaboration; effectively resolves any conflicts with diplomacy.
• Experience directly managing individuals required.

Work Environment

Climate Lead is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. This position operates in a hybrid environment and is based in our San Francisco, CA, office. Staff in the San Francisco Bay Area currently work in the office Tuesday through Thursday each week and typically work from home the other days.

At the Climate Lead, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of or traits historically associated with race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.