Senior Associate - Global Coal Phaseout Initiative

Do you love solving challenging problems, thinking in numbers, and working in groups? Do you also have the self-motivation, curiosity, creativity, and ability to persuade others toward meaningful results? Are you passionate about the clean energy transition? If yes, then join our growing team!  

RMI is seeking Senior Associates for our Electricity Program. RMIers bring a variety of skillsets, and we welcome candidates with diverse educational and work backgrounds. 

Individuals from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply!

Position Overview   

In this role, you will support the Electricity Program’s efforts to accelerate an affordable and equitable phaseout of coal globally. While your role will be focused on electricity system transformation, it will likely intersect with energy equity, environmental justice, and the health impacts of energy usage.

In our work, we collaborate with a variety of stakeholders across the electricity sector. With utilities and state regulators, we work to improve business models so that incentives are aligned with creating a just, clean energy future. With businesses, we develop and share solutions that rapidly transition fossil energy technologies and bring clean ones to the grid at scale. With influential early adopters, we help to experiment with and implement new, transformative solutions.   

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Conduct analytical research.
• Locate, synthesize, and analyze data that allows RMI to shed new light on problems and devise creative solutions.  
• Formulate key questions and design approaches including, but not limited to quantitative models to effectively address key questions and challenges posed by our research goals and clients.
• Contribute to RMI teams through facilitating events and conversations with diverse electricity-sector stakeholders.   
• Synthesize quantitative information and recommendations into clear and compelling presentations and written reports.   
• Engage with external experts via phone interviews, conferences, and responses to outreach requests.   
• Structure and guide the work of more junior team members
• Lead and manage specific projects with support from senior staff.
• Lead and manage stakeholder relationships in relation to specific projects.
• Contribute publicly at conferences, share expertise in response to media requests, discuss our work with donors, and direct RMI research collaborations. 
• Drive thought leadership.
• Travel up to 25%, including possible international travel once public health conditions allow.  

Minimum  Qualifications   

• Undergraduate degree in an applicable field such as engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, energy), business (marketing, finance, international), finance, climate finance, international development, public policy, economics, computer science, mathematics, architecture, physical and social sciences
• At least 3 years of cumulative work experience
• Ability to design, create, and run Excel-based models  
• Understanding of basic financial concepts, analyses, and metrics (e.g.: debt, equity, cash flows, net present value, cost of capital)
• Familiarity with the electricity sector and its role in accelerating climate action
• Experience working across diverse groups and cultures with varying perspectives and/or facilitating challenging conversations 
• Ability to listen actively, be diplomatic, and share knowledge and information well

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in or engaging with public finance institutions, such as bilateral or multilateral development banks
• Experience intersecting with labor issues, international development as well as social and environmental justice challenges  
• International electricity sector work experience, particularly in Southeast Asia and Africa
• Fluent in written and spoken English and one or more languages (e.g., Bahasa Indonesia, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Filipino, Spanish or others)   
• Willingness to plunge into unfamiliar disciplines and take risks by exploring and testing new ideas

Location   

The position will remain remote through the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the COVID-19 situation improves, 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. 

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 

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. Typically, new Senior Associates based in the U.S. join at the minimum to mid salary range of $79,000-$93,000. You would also have an additional 5% bonus target! 

 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, marital status, socioeconomic class, educational attainment or other social identities—is critical to the success of each RMIer and collectively as an organization, ensuring 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.     

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.