NRDC

NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America’s bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Bozeman, Montana; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.

NRDC Chicago Office Position

NRDC is seeking a Multi-Sector Regional Lead to work with the Climate & Energy team in our Chicago office.

Position Summary

NRDC is seeking a dynamic, impactful, and collaborative leader to oversee a team advocating for multi-sector Climate & Energy equitable policies, programs and partnerships at the regional, state and city levels within the Midwest region of the United States. The Multi-Sector Regional Lead is responsible for leading the development of a holistic and transformative regional strategy for the sectors in their region as well as connecting the region’s city and state work with NRDC’s national policy efforts. The position also coordinates and connects efforts within the region with Buildings, Industrial, Power, Transportation as well as with other NRDC regionally oriented capacities and departments to integrate sector work into institutional priorities.

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

1. Lead and develop a holistic regional strategy to build-out and advocate for integrated Climate & Energy and equitable policy and program implementation solutions in regions (including integrated regional, state and city solutions) across Buildings, Industrial, Power, Transportation. This should be undertaken in collaboration with colleagues within their regional team, across the Climate & Energy sectors, with the Equity & Community Partnerships team, and with key capacities across NRDC.
2. Collaborating closely with counterparts in other sector groupings as well as Regional Leads in the new CPA to align on institutional priorities within target geographies.
3. In collaboration with colleagues across NRDC, develop regional advocacy approaches for policy reform and implementation activities.
4. Lead the creation, execution, and measurement of the team’s operational work plans in support of the regional strategy and advocacy plans in collaboration with the sectors.
5. Leverage existing relationships with key external strategic partners to accelerate and deepen action. Support development of new relationships, in coordination with E&CP counterpart, with additional relevant environmental justice, community, labor, business and other partners and stakeholders as well as government decision-makers and key policy staff, coordinating closely with staff leading on community partner engagement.
6. Manage team, including policy and professional development, and oversee matrixed team collaboration. Provide regular individual coaching, feedback, and development while fostering team cohesion.
7. Manage a regional budget, including forecasting, tracking, and resource allocation to maximize opportunities and outcomes.
8. Responsibility for delivering on grant milestones and requirements in their region and for working with NRDC’s Development team on fundraising.
9. Working with NRDC’s communications team, serve as key external voice of NRDC on regional climate and energy issues.
10. Identify and lead or facilitate key analytical projects to support advocacy.
11. Perform other duties as assigned by direct manager or as part of the matrix team.  The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

1. Minimum 7 years’ directly related experience, including at least 2 years successfully managing teams within a matrixed structure toward a common vision and purpose.
2. Bachelor’s degree in sustainability, environmental studies, policy, public administration, or a related field or equivalent work experience; advanced degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
3. Significant policy advocacy, implementation, and campaign experience in at least one and preferably all the relevant sectors (Buildings, Industrial, Power, Transportation), with strong understanding and network of relationships within the relevant region.
4. Experience being part of large, cross-sector, multi-partner initiatives.
5. Experience successfully managing teams, including managing performance, giving feedback, coaching, and developing employees preferred.
6. Experience working collaboratively across teams towards shared outcomes.
7. Experience utilizing and implementing equity frameworks or working with partners and communities to ensure equitable outcomes of policies and programs.
8. Experience building productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
9. Ability to establish efficient processes and systems.
10. Detail-oriented and committed to quality output.
11. Demonstrable alignment and deep commitment to NRDC’s mission and purpose with an ability to communicate this passion to others with a positive and high-energy attitude, integrity, and a commitment to working collaboratively with peers and colleagues.
12. Experience successfully managing budgets, including prioritizing and reallocating funds to make the best use of limited resources for strategic purposes.
13. Substantial experience and demonstrated success working with BIPOC-led groups to advance a common goal.
14. Experience in and deep commitment to incorporating and growing the use of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles in strategic goals, work plans, team culture, and operations.
15. Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to connect with a variety of audiences in writing, orally, and through digital means.
16. Experience with public speaking on technical and non-technical topics
17. Proven success in building strong partnerships with regional leaders and organizations.
18. Broad knowledge of environmental issues and environmental donors.
19. Successful development fundraising experience.
20. Ability to travel to NRDC U.S. based offices, approximately 10-15% annually.
21. Commitment to NRDC’s mission and values.

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet’s most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $157,000 to $178,000.

Our offices are open and we are operating in a hybrid model. We offer NRDCers flexibility, and we ask them to come into the office and spend meaningful time there in collaboration with their colleagues. We call this purposeful presence.

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.