Program Operations Lead - Climate Aligned Industries (Carbon Dioxide Removal/Aviation)
Job Description
Job Description:
Are you an experienced project manager and people leader with intense curiosity and drive? Are you willing to take risks by exploring and testing new ideas? Do you have the exceptional ability to structure and oversee analytic and strategic problem solving? If yes, then join our growing team!
We highly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply!
Program Overview
The Climate Aligned Industries Program (CAI) is focused on decarbonizing the heavy industry and transport sectors, implementing market mechanisms, and supporting policy implementation to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. We collaborate with a global network of NGOs, academics, policymakers, financial institutions, and businesses to enable emissions reductions in some of the highest emitting industrial sectors.
Position Overview
RMI is seeking a Program Operations Lead (POL) with exceptional organizational and project management skills to operationally support our Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Aviation initiatives, including facilitating successful grant and financial management. In this role, you are expected to hold the operational pulse on CDR and Aviation’s activities, serving as an advisor and partner to team leadership and project managers in the management of program operations. This position plays a key role in everything from supporting event logistics, team meetings, ensuring grants are effectively managed and reported on, grantor requirements are met, and ensuring all sub recipients are aligned with grant terms and requirements. This position also ensures all project partners are appropriately resourced from the program budget, that progress and funding usage is appropriately tracked and reported to internal staff and funders, and that the program effectively coordinates and collaborates with stakeholders to drive the essential change required to rapidly decarbonize industry. Finally, you will work closely with RMI’s central operations team and the broader Program Operations cohort across the Institute to drive efficiencies and support successful execution by designing and implementing systems to monitor and report on program activities, outcomes and resource usage.
Your Key Responsibilities
Budget management:
Manage, coordinate, and help develop all program budgeting including annual budgeting, reforecasting, revenue planning, expense planning, and staff resource planning with leadership
Provide routine updates to initiative Principals and other CAI leaders on the team’s finances and resource capacity
Coordinate independently with RMI’s Finance and Development teams to ensure CAI's budgets and pipelines are accurate
Synthesize insights from budgeting tools and make data-backed recommendations to CAI leaders
Track project balances and draw down
Grant Management:
Maintain a high-level view of the funding Pipeline and provide guidance on potential funding gaps
Support and sometimes lead the development of proposals and reports for donors and non-philanthropic projects.
Assist with donor communications and management
Work with RMI’s Development team and CAI staff to ensure all funding pipeline opportunities are up to date in Salesforce
Experience with federal government grants highly desired
People:
Support People Team with managing the hiring process, including coordinating job postings, resume reviews, and interviews
Lead new hire onboarding for CDR and Aviation teams
Communicate travel safety procedures and guidelines
Help the CAI team leverage available training and learning and development opportunities
Procurement and contracting:
Manage invoices, current contracts, creation of new contracts and relationships with current and future program contractors
Submit vendor bills correctly and in a timely manner
Facilitate and manage procurement processes for the program with the support from RMI’s procurement office
Project management:
Provide project management quality control (staff allocations and budget forecasts) at the Initiative level.
Maintain project structures (including budget and project-specific data) and create new projects when needed in project management tool
Provide support to Project Managers in reviewing and approving timesheets and expense reports for the program
Track RMI-standard performance indicators and compile useful summaries for CAI leadership
Maintain the Initiatives' SharePoint homepages
Internal RMI coordination:
Serve as liaison between the program team and RMI’s operations departments
Support RMI-wide process improvements and RMI standards for program success
Work with leaders to ensure consistent processes and tools are utilized across the program
Facilitate internal coordination with other programs and operations on shared resources, providing frequent updates to leadership
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible administrative, finance, operations, project management or related experience
Skilled at using advanced features in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point
Ability to quickly learn new budgeting and project management software tools
Proficient budgeting, finance, and project management skills
Strong verbal and written communications skills
Ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks
Attention to detail and exceptional accuracy
Ability to speak multiple languages is a plus
Location
We are a remote-ready company with team members around the globe. This role can be located anywhere in the world, with a preference for a U.S. based employee with the ability to work across multiple time zones.
We provide you with the essential IT equipment plus a one-time home technology payment and a monthly work from home/commuter allowance to ensure you have a comfortable home office set up and necessary supplies.
We love seeing each other in person! We occasionally gather for shared time together like retreats and learning experiences. Be ready to travel for occasional in-person meetings (and of course, we cover travel costs). Some roles may require more travel, which will be discussed during the hiring process.
Compensation
RMI compensates based on the level and requirements of the role. Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary range for this position is $70,000-$86,000. You would also have an additional 5% bonus target.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package adjusted to regional norms, including:
Medical, dental, vision insurance
403b retirement options (up to 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
Work from home and commuter allowance
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 attainment 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.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
RMI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.