Manager – Carbon-Free Buildings & Center for Climate-Aligned Finance

Are you an experienced people leader with intense curiosity and drive? Are you willing to explore and test new ideas? Do you have an exceptional ability to structure and oversee analytic and strategic problem solving? Can you create impact through influence? If yes, then join our growing team! 

Individuals of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply! 

Program & Project Overview: 

RMI is seeking exceptional candidates to fill a Manager position within RMI’s Carbon-Free Buildings Program and Center for Climate-Aligned Finance (the Center). Our Buildings Program seeks to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. residential and commercial buildings by 2045 through a range of tactical market engagements, policy advocacy, thought leadership, and demonstration projects focused on maximizing the adoption of efficiency, electrification, grid interactivity, and low embodied carbon materials. The Center was founded by RMI to enable the private financial sector to accelerate the transition of the real economy to net-zero. The Center helps private financial institutions partner with their clients to develop practical and scalable solutions to the barriers to climate alignment, enabling financial institutions to play a proactive role in the decarbonization of high-emitting sectors, such as real estate. 

Climate-Aligned Finance in North American Real Estate 

In 2022, the Buildings Program and the Center will work together to scope and market-test options for financial institutions to drive meaningful climate action in the real estate sector, primarily in North America. This project will include an analysis of capital flows and common financial structures used in the sector, identification of barriers to climate alignment in real estate finance, and assessment and evaluation of decarbonization pathways for the built environment. The analysis will also account for social justice considerations and regulatory constraints in key regions in the United States. Our aim is to ensure financial institutions have a clear set of options to proactively support equitable decarbonization of the built environment, possibly including the development of a collective climate-aligned finance agreement among financial institutions for the real estate sector (as the Center has done in other sectors). 

Position Overview and Responsibilities: 

Our Managers are creative project leaders who mentor and manage team members to craft visionary-yet-practical solutions for the energy transition. As a Manager at RMI, you will be a primary project manager, and work closely with and under the direction of RMI’s Principals and Managing Directors to design and execute projects. Specific responsibilities will evolve over time as needed to support the institute's goals and will likely include managing junior staff in research and analysis projects and facilitating collaborative multi-stakeholder convenings.  

In addition, you will: 

• Oversee the Climate-Aligned Finance in North American Real Estate project at the Center for Climate-Aligned Finance with the majority of their time.  

• Support other finance-related projects and initiatives within the Buildings Program as needed, with available remaining time.  

• Shape project strategies from inception to conclusion. 

• Act as the lead relationship manager with project partners and stakeholders. 

• Coach and motivate project team members and resolve any issues throughout project life cycle, including writing project-level reviews for junior staff

• Oversee teams that number between 2 to 25 contributors (internal and external). 

• Regularly contribute to external interviews, videos, and publications to share project insights. 

• Work hand-in-hand with our development team to develop funding strategies. 

• Lead and contribute to research efforts and publications. 

• Represent RMI as an industry expert at key conferences and other public speaking events. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Master’s level degree, equivalent, or higher, in sustainability, environment, finance, economics, engineering, or energy-related discipline 

• At least 5+ years of direct relevant experience of professional experience in fields related to the built environment and/or finance  

• Experience leading teams and managing complex project portfolios   

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills   

• Experience designing and managing complex analytical models   

• A passion for working collaboratively to advance market-based solutions to climate change   

• Excellent time management, organization, entrepreneurship, and drive 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with real estate finance, including equity investment, mortgage lending, secondary markets, and/or project financing

• Experience with building science, building energy systems, design, engineering, or similar technical field   

• Background working directly with senior-level stakeholders from industry, finance, or other areas, especially relating to energy/carbon goals   

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

• Experience with group facilitation and workshop design.   

Location:  

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

Important Note: As a U.S. federal contractor, RMI must comply with requirements outlined 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 salary range for this position is $103,000 - $121,000, with an additional 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  

RMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer  

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.