NRDC’s “North Star†climate goal is to protect vulnerable communities, human health and nature by limiting global warming to 1.5C in an equitable manner. In the US, we strive to cut U.S. greenhouse emissions by 50-52% percent by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. To work toward these goals, the Climate & Energy Program focuses on rapid scale up of key clean energy technologies and energy efficiency, and the control of highly potent global warming pollutants with policies that emphasize affordability, accessibility, and equity. Most of the program’s resources are focused on accelerating the impact of our work in four major sectors: Transportation, Power, Industrial and Buildings, with major considerations for the adoption of clean energy drivers such as renewables, energy efficiency, electrification. Additionally, and importantly, a growing part of our work focuses on innovation and new technologies in the decarbonization of the industrial sector and the use of hydrogen derived from renewable electricity in hard-to-decarbonize sectors with appropriate safeguards.
In FY23 the Climate & Energy Program has a total budget of $29.4M with a staff of 90 passionate advocates.
Senior Vice President for Climate & Energy Role Description
The Senior Vice President will be the chief visionary and strategist for NRDC’s advocacy to fight climate change and advance clean energy, charged with leading, scaling, and operationalizing the people, structures, partnerships, and programs needed to execute strategy in this area for maximum impact. Reporting directly to the Chief Program Officer (CPO) and serving on the Advocacy Leadership Team, the Senior Vice President will be externally and internally focused, representing NRDC at external events as well as internal forums, acting as a spokesperson for our strategic vision and helping elevate the reputation and profile of the organization. The Senior Vice President will seek out and build strategic partnerships and develop and support fundraising efforts in partnership with Development. The Senior Vice President will be expected and will be supported to build even further NRDC’s advocacy against climate change and in favor of clean energy to meet the urgency of the moment.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic, expert, and inspirational leader. To design a strategy and lead work in four key sectors: Transportation, Power, Industrial and Buildings. All with a focus on equity and community. NRDC’s staff is highly capable, and the Senior Vice President will be an empowering and collaborative individual who furthers high performance and innovation and can champion equity, diversity, and inclusion. The successful candidate will be flexible, thrive in collaborative environments, embrace solving complex and nuanced problems, and be recognized within the climate movement as a strategic leader with excellent communication skills and the ability to tell compelling stories to diverse audiences. Most importantly, you will demonstrate a genuine alignment with the values of NRDC and seek to apply your passion and skills to work to tackle the most important challenges humanity has ever faced.
Responsibilities
Strategy, Institutional Leadership, Partnerships and External Relations (60%)
Serves as chief strategist and advocate for NRDC’s goal to fight climate change and advance clean energy with people and equity at the center of the chosen path forward.
Serves as a high-visibility expert and spokesperson for NRDC’s advocacy on climate and energy matters.
Cultivates and manages strategic relationships and partnerships with businesses, NGOs, environmental justice leaders, labor, government, local government, and community groups to maximize impact and achieve major climate outcomes.
Serves as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the Chief Program Officer and a member of the Advocacy Leadership Team.
Works with the Development department to develop and implement a vision and strategy to maximize funding opportunities; helps develop foundation proposals, meets with donors, and cultivates philanthropic relationships.
Works with the Communications and Campaigns departments to develop effective external mobilization opportunities and communication strategies that increase NRDC’s visibility and name recognition as a leader in climate and energy matters.
Embeds equity and justice in NRDC’s climate and energy work; champions community advocacy and helps build expertise and capacity among underserved communities.
Program Management (40%)
Leads the Climate and Energy program, including strategic planning, people management and administration.
Sets program’s strategic goals in alignment with organizational priorities, develops key performance indicators and robust work plans to achieve outcomes, and sets high performance expectations.
Oversees and has ultimate responsibility for the financial management of the program’s budget, aiming to make the most strategic and effective use of program funds by rigorously prioritizing and allocating resources to maximize opportunities and outcomes.
Collaborates internally with leadership across Programs and other functions to ensure that department initiatives are integrated, and that staff are in alignment.
Qualifications
Minimum 15 years’ directly related experience in the climate and energy field, including at least 5 years successfully managing large teams toward a common vision and purpose.
Demonstrable alignment and deep commitment to NRDC’s mission and purpose with an ability to communicate this passion to others with a positive and high-energy attitude, integrity, and a commitment to working collaboratively with peers and colleagues.
Visionary, forward-looking, and strategic thinker with a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving.
Substantial experience in leading development and execution of strategic goals.
Proven ability to manage large teams of people, large-scale projects, and relationships in a complex and matrixed organizational structure.
Seasoned advocate with knowledge building and driving forward alliances.
Experience working in partnership across stakeholder groups on intersectional problems, such as environmental injustice, to co-create solutions.
Deep experience and commitment of incorporating and growing the use of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles in our work and in team culture and operations.
Experience with public speaking on technical and non-technical topics, with an ability to communicate successfully with a wide variety of audiences.
Experience successfully managing large budgets, including prioritizing and reallocating funds to make the best use of limited resources for strategic purposes.
Excellent interpersonal and active listening skills, with a collaborative working style.
Can effectively engage a variety of constituencies, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities.
Experience and demonstrated success in fundraising, including foundation grants and major donor engagement.
Has a good sense of humor, listens to others, and accepts different opinions; is cooperative and able to build bridges.
