ABOUT U.S. ENERGY FOUNDATION
U.S. Energy Foundation’s (EF) mission is to secure a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. We envision a healthy, safe, and equitable economy powered by clean energy. We believe a thriving clean energy economy can create sustainable opportunities, spur innovation, and protect our climate—for today and future generations.
EF supports education and analysis to promote nonpartisan policy solutions that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency, while opening doors to greater innovation and productivity—growing the economy with dramatically less pollution. For more than 30 years, EF has supported grantees to help educate policymakers and the general public about the benefits of a clean energy economy. Our grantees include business, health, environmental, labor, equity, community, faith, and consumer groups, as well as policy experts, think tanks, universities, and more.
We are working daily to create equitable systems that support people to flourish. We aim to bring humility, transparency, respect, and an appreciation for others’ lived experiences to our interactions with colleagues, grantees, and partners.
EF’s Fundraising Philosophy
As EF’s primary clients and partners are our funders and grantees, EF commits to acting as a strategic thought leader for our current and prospective funding partners and the field by:
- Collaborating—and co-creating, where feasible and desired—on strategy development, including hosting or managing funder collaboratives
- Highlighting the opportunity for climate philanthropy to maximize benefits to disadvantaged communities and those most impacted by climate change
- Offering excellent, responsive service by providing proactive, compelling, and timely updates and information
EF is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and our more than 100 staff members are based in locations throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Western regions, where they can best serve our programs, partners, operations, and other functions.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Program Lead, West Campaigns (PL), will support and fund strategies that create the diverse coalitions and collaborations needed to meet the ambitious state policy goals in the power, buildings, transportation, and climate sectors in the West. The PL will work with colleagues at EF to develop, shape, and implement strategy in the West, while interfacing with grantees, funders, and partners in these states to ensure they are supported for maximum impact.
The ideal candidate will have experience in issue campaigns, while also possessing strong writing, personnel management, and project management skills. Understanding campaign tactics is a must, as is the ability to prioritize competing requests, while adjusting to the rapidly changing political and media environments. The PL’s primary responsibility is to advance the work of the West program through grantmaking, contract administration, budgeting, strategy development, project management, coordination, and collaboration.
EF values diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization and our work. We encourage people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Grantmaking, Contract Administration, and Budgeting
- Work independently to consistently and accurately process proposals, reports, grants, contracts, invoices, and reimbursements from start to finish in our grants tracking system.
- Review grant proposals, and ensure content is appropriate and all necessary documents are included.
- Write a summary of grant proposals.
- Coordinate joint grants, shared consulting contracts, and other contracts, as needed.
- Communicate with grantees as needed (e.g. respond to questions).
- Assist Program Directors and Managers with conducting due diligence on proposals or prospective grantees. Directly engage with grantees and consultants to seek additional information or proposal revisions as needed.
- Over time, this position will grow to manage grants independently.
- Collect, track, and synthesize grantee wins and lessons learned for use in funder and program reports.
Project Management and Coordination
- Manage projects, activities, and events, in coordination with colleagues.
- Support logistics for calls and meetings, and correspond with grantees and partners professionally. Lead calls with grantees and consultants on portions of the grant portfolio, acting as EF’s primary representative.
- Foster information-sharing and learning networks among grantees and thought leaders.
- Support funder relations.
Strategy Development and Research
- Stay informed on the latest program developments by engaging with grantees and experts and reviewing reports, press releases, articles, and other relevant materials.
- Manage aspects of the grant portfolio, including drafting strategy, identifying focus areas, liaising with grantees and consultants, and monitoring/reporting outcomes.
- Prepare documents and presentations for internal and external audiences, including board dockets, agendas, discussion materials, campaign plans, proposals, reports, and presentations.
- Conduct research to support strategy development and grantmaking, including developing strategies in select areas.
- Conduct research on specific topics, and prepare reports and visual presentations, as needed.
Building the Team
- Generate and implement ideas for improving systems, programs, and operations.
- Maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues, contributing to a positive and inclusive work environment.
- Develop a personal learning and development plan. Seek professional growth opportunities, including networking, informational interviews, training, and projects.
- Uphold EF’s commitment to equity and community benefits, integrating these values into both internal and external work.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience with:
- complex project management,
- campaign experience,
- customer/partner relations,
- matrixed organizations, and
- at least an intermediate knowledge of clean energy and climate subject matter.
- Technical skills: Advanced skills using Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, preferably in a Mac environment; familiarity with Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets, along with Box. Experience using cloud-based relational database systems, such as Salesforce, preferred.
- Multitasking: Experience supporting multiple priorities and juggling a variety of tasks for one or more individuals in a team environment. Superior time management and prioritization skills.
Pluses include:
- Experience managing a budget
- Experience working on equity and community benefits
- Experience organizing and facilitating meetings, events, and networks
- Internet savvy, including digital and social media, online survey tools, etc.
SUPERVISION
Reports to the Program Director, West Campaigns.
COMPENSATION
This is a full-time position. The target salary for this position is $121,500 for a candidate based in the metro areas of San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, or Sacramento, and $109,800 for candidates in other areas of the U.S. EF provides a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental, vision, disability, and retirement benefits, as well as paid time off.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Ability to travel four to six times a year for two to four business days at a time.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to spend extended hours at the computer. This position requires moderate levels of domestic travel.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
EF is a remote-first work environment. This position may be based in EF’s San Francisco office or may work remotely from anywhere in the Western U.S. (Pacific or Mountain time zones).
The office environments include some shared workspace, some individual offices, and shared kitchen facilities, with moderate noise levels and a collegial atmosphere. On occasion, there are activities or events after work hours.