Principal - Climate Intelligence Program

Are you passionate about technology's role in the energy transition? Do you love solving thought provoking problems, transforming climate data into climate impact, and working in groups? Do you also have the self-motivation, curiosity, creativity, and ability to persuade others toward meaningful results? If yes, then join our growing Climate Intelligence team!    

Program

RMI's Climate Intelligence Program focuses on curating emissions and climate data while also translating this data into actionable insights and tools for those best positioned to reduce emissions. We collaborate with a global network of businesses, financial institutions, and policymakers to deliver data and insights that are accurate, actionable, and real-time, ultimately enabling emissions reductions in some of the largest industrial sectors. Our work focuses not only on quantifying the risks of climate inaction, but also on identifying emerging opportunities to reduce emissions.   

As part of the Climate Intelligence Program, the Supply Chain Emissions initiative seeks to demystify carbon accounting practices and to develop insights that drive decarbonization. We are hiring a Principal to lead Horizon Zero, a multi-year, multi-million dollar project in the Supply Chain Emissions initiative of the Climate Intelligence Program.

  

Position Overview

The Principal will lead the delivery of Horizon Zero, a project with the goal of enabling a digital future for ESG attributes, in particular starting from the creation of a digitally native GHG Protocol, based on distributed ledger technology and leveraging RMI's learnings in the cryptocurrency space. The Principal will work closely with the initiative leader and program management , as well as other RMI internal teams on how to use digital ESG attributes to effectively create differentiated commodities (physical and financial) thereby creating a demand signal to decarbonize deep supply chains.

    

Key Responsibilities  

• Steer the Horizon Zero project by working closely with a group of project managers in a matrix organized by functions and sectors, to deliver a complex scope of work spanning the entire "pipeline" from emissions visibility all the way to the standardization and trading of differentiated commodities. The Principal will also oversee the key sectors of focus of Horizon Zero which are steel, nonferrous metals, cement, and oil & gas (including aviation fuels, LNG, petrochemicals), besides cryptocurrency which is the "sandbox" upon which the original solution is being built in the first phase of the project.
• Define a compelling strategy to accelerate the adoption of digital ESG and GHG accounting, together with fellow Principals and Managing Directors. 
• Guide research teams and partner with our extensive external network of nonprofit and business collaborators to develop, pilot, and scale successful solutions to deliver Horizon Zero in the function areas and sectors covered.
• Collaborate with the marketing manager to shape and deliver a marketing strategy for Horizon Zero, coordinating teams to deliver objectives. Oversight of teams includes some "roll-up your sleeves" work in nearly all projects, driving thought-leadership and execution through charismatic example. 
• Perform business development for the continuous growth of the project and of any side activities stemming from it over time, including liaising with RMI's Development team to cultivate existing and new leads for philanthropic fundraising support, government grant management, and direct company fee-for-service project development. 
• Be an internally and externally recognized expert and go-to person for issues relating to supply chain emissions, carbon accounting, and especially the covered sectors liaising with other RMI Programs covering aspects of the same - for example Buildings Program for steel and concrete, the Center for Climate-Aligned Finance as relates to financial products, or Mission Possible Partnership as relates to demand-side work in the covered industrial sectors.
• Develop and enhance RMI's public reputation through regular publication, speaking, and external engagement on key topics critical to program success. 
• Manage existing and proposed future program budgets. 
• Support development of team members and of RMI at large, through active involvement in management activities such as coaching and serving as a career advisor to colleagues. 
• Support Managing Directors in interactions with RMI board. 

  

Minimum Qualifications  

• Graduate degree in relevant topic ( see below) or equivalent acquisition of on-the-job expertise
• Relevant topics: environmental science, engineering, economics, accounting, public policy, international relations
• 15+ years of relevant professional experience  
• 3+ years as a team manager  
• Experience guiding high performing teams in a project-based work environment  
• Experience with the clean energy transition, climate change, environmental justice, or related topics  
• Experience managing junior team members including providing coaching and mentorship, and managing performance reviews  
• Familiarity with data management and distributed ledger technology
• Broad contacts across relevant professional networks - private sector, government and NGOs 
• Significant international (i.e. outside of US) exposureAbility to travel at least 10-20% of the time (once public health conditions allow)     
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills  

  

Preferred Qualifications  

• Familiarity with: ESG and emissions accounting (including voluntary carbon markets, life-cycle assessment, virtual attributes, product differentiation), and corporate procurement
• Experience managing complex and diverse groups, paired with the ability to navigate challenging conversations 
• Extensive experience with data management, distributed ledger technology
• Demonstrated experience guiding the development of software applications
• Deep connections across nonprofit and business ecosystem - global industrial companies especially in the hard-to-abate sectors and manufacturing; ESG and GHG accounting organizations (e.g. GHG Protocol, WBCSD, WRI, GRI, CDP, SASB); consulting, auditing, national and international policy-making

Location

The position will remain remote through the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the COVID-19 situation improves, it is  preferred  that this role will be based out of one of our offices in Oakland, CA, Washington, D.C., New York City, Boulder, or Basalt, Colorado. This will be discussed further throughout the interview process.    

Compensation

The Principal level salary range is $121,000 - $163,000 plus a 20% bonus target. This is based on experience that will be vetted through the interview process. 

Benefits   

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:   

• Medical, dental, vision insurance   
• 403b retirement options (5% match immediately)   
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability   
• Professional and personal development (including LinkedIn Learning access)   
• Generous paid time off  
• Parental leave   
• Commuter and wellness benefits   
• Casual work environment   

Diversity     

Increasing the diversity of thought, perspectives, ideas, and opinions within RMI is a critical change element supporting our long-term sustainability and mission to build a clean, prosperous, and secure energy future.   

We strive for a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this-regardless of ability, race, ethnicity, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic class, educational institution or other social identities-is critical to the success of each RMIer and collectively as an organization. This ensures that we:   

• Have the different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world's greatest challenges.   
• Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating others with dignity, respect and appreciation enabling them to feel welcomed, supported and valued.   
• Effectively connect, communicate and build long-lasting relationships with decision makers, stakeholders and constituents within diverse communities.   

RMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.   

About RMI   

RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world's most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.