Director, Corporate Decarbonization

# Director, Corporate Decarbonization
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)

## About C2ES
The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) works to secure a safe and stable climate by accelerating the transition to a thriving, just, and resilient low‑carbon economy. C2ES is recognized as an influential voice on climate issues, a trusted convener, and a credible source of expertise and analysis. The organization collaborates with international climate negotiators; federal, state, and local policymakers; Fortune 500 executives; and diverse stakeholders to advance strong climate policy, clean energy, and resilience.

## Organizational Values
C2ES is:
– Ambitious and practical — advancing effective solutions that push the boundaries of the achievable.
– Open‑minded and inclusive — seeking diverse voices, views, and approaches.
– People‑focused — prioritizing human well‑being, respect, and empathy.
– One team — collaborating openly, communicating clearly, and treating one another with kindness and respect.

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## Position Summary
The **Director, Corporate Decarbonization** leads C2ES’s engagement with the private sector and investor community to accelerate corporate progress toward net‑zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This externally facing leadership role requires technical rigor, political acumen, and sophisticated stakeholder management.

The Director will:
– Engage companies — including Business Environmental Leadership Council (BELC) members — on climate commitments and transition plans.
– Oversee work with asset owners, asset managers, and institutional investors on systems‑level investing and net‑zero transition strategies.
– Manage a direct report and several consultants.
– Collaborate across C2ES teams including Climate Resilience, Policy & Advocacy, Communications, and Development.

Reports to: **Vice President, Business Engagement**

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## Key Responsibilities

### Corporate Engagement
– Serve as C2ES’s lead on corporate decarbonization and net‑zero transition implementation.
– Conduct structured engagements and convenings with BELC companies to assess progress, barriers, and opportunities.
– Co‑design program strategy and tactics with the VP, Business Engagement.
– Maintain expertise in corporate climate leadership standards, frameworks, and best practices.
– Lead analysis of corporate GHG emissions data and progress toward climate goals.
– Manage consultants conducting primary analysis.
– Conduct or oversee assessments of climate transition investments within private equity portfolios.
– Engage standard‑setters, industry coalitions, and NGO coalitions to help companies navigate tools and partnerships.
– Develop C2ES feedback on evolving voluntary and regulatory GHG disclosure and climate‑related financial risk.
– Identify market mechanisms (EACs, voluntary carbon markets, supply chain decarbonization pathways) that support corporate net‑zero progress.
– Collaborate across C2ES program teams to ensure integrated organizational positioning.
– Manage or support additional projects as needed.

### Investor Engagement & Stewardship
– Lead C2ES’s strategy for engaging large asset owners, asset managers, and investor networks committed to improving net‑zero transition among portfolio companies.
– Build support for systems‑level and universal‑ownership investment approaches.
– Engage institutional investors on the macroeconomic case for economy‑wide decarbonization and alignment of capital allocation with a clean energy transition.

### Communications & Thought Leadership
– Lead development of C2ES’s communications strategy on corporate decarbonization progress.
– Develop products and convenings for policymakers, investors, and peer companies.
– Author or oversee reports, policy briefs, blog posts, and other publications.
– Prepare presentations and talking points for senior leadership.
– Represent C2ES at conferences, roundtables, and stakeholder convenings.
– Support C2ES events involving BELC, NGOs, government agencies, media, and academic institutions.

### Enterprise Leadership
– Manage and mentor a small team; oversee external consultants.
– Support fundraising through concept notes, grant proposals, donor reports, and partnership proposals.
– Contribute to organizational strategic planning, internal capacity building, and positive culture.
– Participate in all‑staff meetings and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Council activities.
– Model organizational values.

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## Qualifications

### Required
– Bachelor’s degree and **minimum 10 years** of relevant experience in corporate climate, sustainability, energy, or related fields.
– Proven senior‑level stakeholder engagement experience.
– Strong program strategy development and multi‑year project management skills.
– Experience scaling projects or programs.
– Demonstrated ability to convene stakeholders and build common ground.
– Exceptional political acumen and stakeholder engagement skills.
– Systems‑thinking and ability to identify cross‑stakeholder opportunities.
– Strong technical understanding of corporate decarbonization (Scope 1, Scope 2 renewable energy, Scope 3 supplier engagement).
– Knowledge of GHG accounting, target‑setting frameworks, and net‑zero planning (GHG Protocol, SBTi, ISSB, voluntary and regulatory disclosure standards).
– Experience managing a team (hiring, development, performance management).
– Ability to translate complex subject matter for executive and non‑specialist audiences.
– Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
– Humility, collegiality, humor, and collaboration.
– Ability to travel up to 15%.
– Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

### Preferred
– Experience with business councils, trade associations, investor networks, climate‑focused nonprofits, or corporate external‑stakeholder engagement.
– Understanding of institutional investor climate action, universal ownership, and systems‑level investing.
– Advanced degree in environmental policy, finance, business, engineering, or related fields.

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## Position Details
**Position Status:** New vacancy
**Employment Status:** Full‑time, benefits‑eligible; exempt
**Reporting to:** Vice President, Business Engagement
**Starting Salary Range:** $127,000–$158,000
**Location:** Hybrid (Washington, DC). Remote applicants considered.
**Right to Work:** Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States.
**Application Requirements:** Resume, cover letter, writing sample.

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## Benefits
– Health Insurance: C2ES covers 80% of premiums for a platinum‑level reference plan.
– Dental Insurance: 100% employer‑paid.
– Vision Insurance: Employee‑paid.
– Long‑term and short‑term disability.
– DC Paid Family Leave (for DC‑based employees).
– Retirement: 5% employer contribution to 403(b).
– Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
– Group Life and Voluntary Life Insurance.
– Leave:
– 3 weeks’ vacation per year (accrued).
– Up to 10 sick days per year.
– Up to 2 personal days per year.
– Parental Leave.
– FMLA Leave.
– Holidays: 13 annually + office closure during the last week of the year.
– Hybrid and flexible work environment.

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## Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
C2ES is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within the organization and among its partners. Individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities are encouraged to apply.