Manager - Urban Transformation

At RMI, we know how important it is during the holiday season to spend time with family and friends, get much-needed rest and relaxation and recharge for the coming year. That’s why our employees receive a paid holiday from Christmas through New Year’s Day to do just that! If you are applying to this position, you may not hear from us over the coming weeks. Not to worry! We won’t forget about you and will be in touch after the new year. Happy Holidays! 

Are you an experienced 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? Can you create impact through influence? If yes, then join our growing team! 

Our staff represents a wide variety of skill sets, and we welcome a diverse range of education and experience.  

Program Overview:  

The Urban Transformation Program at RMI was created to dramatically accelerate local government efforts around the world to simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance urban livability, increase resilience, and support an equitable energy transition. Our team partners with the city and other local government staff and supports them by providing technical assistance, building capacity, enabling learning, and developing tools and resources to meet specific needs.   

Position Overview: 

RMI is seeking a manager to lead our work on sustainable cooling in Indian cities. Under the framework of the Cool Coalition, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and RMI are working closely with the Government of India to design a program to support 100 Indian cities in implementing comprehensive sustainable urban cooling efforts. The program will deliver pragmatic, no-regret solutions to support the resilience of those most vulnerable to extreme heat, while building capacity on this topic at the national-, state-, and city-government levels. 

RMI managers are creative project leaders who work closely with and under the direction of RMI’s Principals and Managing Directors to design and execute projects. In this role, you would provide day-to-day project leadership, design and manage multiple workstreams, and coach junior staff to meet project goals. The position would also require strong stakeholder engagement skills, working with other NGOs, policymakers, advocates, businesses, and other stakeholders.  

Core Responsibilities: 

Managing projects to yield breakthrough insights and results 

• With senior guidance, shape project strategies from inception to conclusion: determine change models, research methods, timelines, resource plans, communications plans, and stakeholder engagement 

• Determine how results will be measured and be responsible for project results, rigorously challenging and stress-testing findings from RMI teams and partners  

• Mentor and motivate project team members and resolve any issues throughout project lifecycle 

• Establish and manage an international team of 5-10 contributors  

• Work with RMI’s Development Team and senior leadership to raise resources 

Managing relationships and coalition-building 

• Develop and manage key external relationships needed to drive toward project outcomes (e.g., city, state, and national governments, other NGOs, community organizations, utilities etc.) 

• Convene and facilitate collaborative workshops, bringing RMI’s facilitation approach to develop new solutions and strategies 

• Help build a multi-organization coalition to tackle the complex cooling challenges facing Indian cities 

Providing thought leadership 

• Lead and contribute to research efforts and publications 

• Regularly contribute to external interviews, videos, and publications to share project insights and represent RMI and the project coalition in the media and other public speaking events 

Required Qualifications: 

• An undergraduate degree and at least 4 years of experience in a relevant field such as urban planning, the built environment, public policy, or economic development  

• Experience leading teams and managing complex projects 

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills 

• Ability to navigate complex relationships across multiple organizations and interests 

• Highly collaborative, team player 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with sustainable cooling solutions and heat resilience, especially in an urban context 

• Experience forging and cultivating major collaborations cutting across the public, private, multilateral, and non-profit sectors 

• Familiarity with financial solutions for supporting energy efficiency, renewable energy, or municipal projects 

• A strong network or proven experience with Indian policymakers and NGOs on regulation or other solutions to mitigate climate change through targeted technological interventions 

• Experience developing decarbonization or climate resilience policies or programs at the city, state or federal level 

• Experience with donor development or managing grant- and donor-driven projects 

• Experience with group facilitation and workshop design 

Location 

The position will remain remote for now. Once the COVID-19 situation improves, employees are encouraged to be based out of one of our offices in Oakland, CA; Washington, D.C.; New York City; or Boulder or Basalt, CO. 

Important Note: As a U.S. federal contractor, RMI must comply with requirements outlined in Executive Order Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. This Executive Order requires that all federal contractors and subcontractors mandate and verify that all U.S. based employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are based in the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of full vaccination status as a condition of employment. You may request an accommodation for medical or religious reasons. If you are based outside of the U.S., this requirement does not apply. 

Compensation: 

The starting salary range for you as a manager would be $103,000 - $121,000. Salary to be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. 

You would also have a 10% bonus target! 

Benefits: 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance 

• 403b Retirement Options (5% match immediately) 

• Generous PTO 

• Learning & Development opportunities 

• Parental leave 

• Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long-Term Disability 

• Commuter and Wellness Benefits 

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. 

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.