Director, Strategic Partnerships. Search conducted by: waldronhr.com

Transcription

1 Director, Strategic Partnerships Search conducted by: waldronhr.com

2 About The Organization The Energy Foundation s nonprofit mission is to serve the public interest by building a strong clean energy economy. Pragmatic and nonpartisan, the foundation supports education and analysis to promote policy solutions that build markets for clean energy technology. Advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other solutions can open doors to greater innovation and productivity growing the economy with dramatically less pollution. In the U.S., our programs include Policy, Public Engagement, and Strategic Communications. Program staff work on strategy development, policy innovation, and campaign design, focusing on the power, transportation, and efficiency sectors, and new markets, and build national and state support for clean energy and strong climate policies. Our States and Regions Team is a cross-disciplinary cohort of staff policy, communications, and campaign experts dedicated to advancing strong state and regional policies. Grantees include policy leaders, business, health, labor, environmental, faith, and consumer groups, as well as military organizations, think tanks, and universities. For more than 25 years, the foundation has supported grantees to help educate policymakers and the general public about the health and economic benefits of a clean energy economy. Grantees include business, health, labor, environmental, faith, equity, free-market, and consumer groups, as well as policy experts, military organizations, think tanks, and universities. The foundation s headquarters are in San Francisco, CA, with satellite locations in Raleigh, NC; Chicago, IL; Las Vegas, NV; and Washington, DC. Energy Foundation China offices are located in Beijing, China. To learn more about the Energy Foundation, visit

3 The Opportunity As a result of the tremendous growth and success of the foundation s work, and recognizing that so much more needs to be done to address climate change, the Board and EF Leadership have significantly deepened their investment in the Strategic Partnerships team for the U.S. and China to substantially increase resources to the entire clean energy field not just for the benefit of the Energy Foundation. Through results-driven partnerships and alliances, EF is making substantial progress in the largest and fastest-growing energy markets in the world. EF is continuing to expand and evolve its partnerships and fundraising capacity in order to innovate and adapt the current model to better serve its existing supporters and to attract new partners. This will require developing new engagement and cultivation strategies, closely integrating them with EF s program teams to coordinate outreach to funding institutions, high-net-worth individuals, and key stakeholders. An overarching goal for Strategic Partnerships is to play a central role in dramatically increasing and coordinating overall funding for the entire clean energy field. EF is uniquely positioned to do more than strategic grantmaking; its program experts provide strategic advice to funders and grantees alike, and it can catalyze partners and attract more capital into the space because of its unmatched capabilities to execute broadly on issues around clean energy. The vision is to act as a connector between new donors / advocates and the field as a whole. EF seeks to cultivate and strengthen a sense of shared purpose and involvement among and between funders in the field. Strategic Partnerships leads the effort to engage these stakeholders as true thought-partners, not just to secure increased resources for the field, but to co-create specific initiatives, proposals, and solutions that will accomplish shared goals. Reporting to the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, this role will be joining a growing team that will establish, strengthen, and steward EF s funders who are operating at the pinnacle of the donor ecosystem and who are passionate about developing solutions to address one of the most significant and urgent issues facing humankind. Additionally, the Director will help support and build EF s brand and visibility in the funding community especially with high net-worth individuals and staffed foundations.

4 Key Responsibilities Strategy and Leadership The Energy Foundation has a sophisticated theory of change to drive transformation in both the political and market spaces. The Director will help prioritize fundraising for the field by designing customized strategies and campaigns to expand EF s donor networks and deploy appropriate engagement tactics in both the U.S. and China. EF is a highly networked organization and the Director must devise appropriate strategies that properly navigate the complex world that it operates in. The Director will work in conjunction with EF s Board, leadership, and senior program staff to develop plans that leverage their existing relationships and coordinate smart combinations of the foundation s teams to expertly match them with donor profiles and requirements. The Director will also be responsible for crafting compelling stories and messaging to facilitate sophisticated engagement. Prospecting, Cultivation, Stewardship The Director will help build a larger pipeline of prospective high-net-worth and institutional donors through research, analysis, and relationship building. This includes coordinating with current partners and grantees to engage their networks and expand EF s reach. Additionally, in collaboration with other team members, the Director will develop and manage materials to support engagement, including tailored fundraising packets, presentations, proposals, letters of inquiry, and jointly undertaking meetings with prospective partners, including with senior staff. The Director will design and implement innovative and comprehensive plans for cultivating philanthropic support. This includes hands-on management of grant proposal processes and donor reporting, with a heavy emphasis on writing as well as facilitating the involvement of the program and finance teams where appropriate. This position will ultimately ensure existing donors long-term commitment to EF and the field as a whole, and will maintain highly sophisticated and personal relationships with partners by conducting meaningful and regular contact with them. Marketing and Communications A key element for success in attracting new partners to EF and to the field will be coordinated marketing initiatives and communications plans for target audiences that align with and support the work of the Strategic Partnerships team. In coordination with communications staff, the Director will contribute to the development and writing of prospectuses, case studies, and other communications materials that identify and present strategic opportunities to traditional and non-traditional funders. Organizational Systems The Director will be joining a growing team to help build the systems and infrastructure to ensure effective operations and collaboration in a cross-functional manner. This includes refining or setting up new systems to manage relationships with partners, consultants, and other stakeholders who are supporting the work of the Strategic Partnerships team. Through the lens of continuous improvement and enhancement to the team s strategies, the Director will be a critical member ensuring that their materials, systems, and processes represent best practice for the organization.

5 The Ideal Profile The Energy Foundation is seeking a new Director of Strategic Partnerships who will be passionate about its mission and excited by the opportunity to join an expanding team that will be pioneering innovative approaches to funding, not just for the benefit of EF, but most importantly for the field as a whole. The ideal candidate is a systems thinker as well as a creative, collaborative, and entrepreneurial leader someone who has a track record of being a self-starter and who will thrive in a new venture that is highly results-driven. Operating as a natural partner and coach for the program team, the Director will know how to establish strong, collaborative, and supportive approaches to interacting and engaging with a sophisticated donor network. Candidates must possess the judgment, humility, and discretion required when working with high profile individuals and institutions. The climate and energy fields are constantly evolving, and this position will require adaptability and flexibility to be successful. Also, because the Strategic Partnerships team is newly expanding, candidates must have a high degree of comfort living with complexity and ambiguity, as well as have a responsive, patient, and collaborative disposition. The Director does not need to be a content expert in climate and energy issues, but must have a meaningful connection to the sector and a commitment to the Energy Foundation s mission and values. Candidates must be curious about the field and be able to exhibit honest engagement with the foundation s work in order to establish successful peer relationships internally and externally. Demonstrated experience as an innovator and risk-taker in putting complex deals together, raising significant resources, and/or connecting disparate parties and stakeholders to a common objective is essential. The ability to adapt, listen to others, and learn from their best ideas with a sense of inquisitiveness and intellectual curiosity is essential. Candidates must be personable, trustworthy, diplomatic, and have impeccable integrity and ethics.

6 Minimum Qualifications A minimum of 10 years of experience in a leadership position is required, ideally developing and implementing partnership, fundraising, and/or strategic outreach to support a multi-million dollar, multi-location organization. Demonstrated experience in securing seven-figure gifts or deals is highly desirable. Furthermore, the Director must have the proven ability to lead, engage, and collaborate with individuals across various disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds to achieve shared goals. Outstanding interpersonal and relationship building skills, convening capabilities, confidence and credibility as a key spokesperson and representative are all required. Experience across government, business, civil society, CSR, philanthropy, or some combination thereof is necessary. Excellent verbal, written, and storytelling communication skills are essential attributes for the role. Candidates should have the proven ability to formulate and execute results utilizing strong analytical, critical decisionmaking, strategic planning, and project management skills. To Be Considered The Energy Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. To be considered, please go to Waldron s candidate portal and submit your resume and a cover letter expressing your passion for the mission and fit for the role. The search for a Director of Strategic Partnerships is being assisted by a team from Waldron: Jeff Waldron Principal Direct: jeff@waldronhr.com Eliza Kinrose Engagement Manager Executive Search Direct: eliza@waldronhr.com Mikela Topey Associate Executive Search Direct: mikela@waldronhr.com

7 Waldron is honored to work with the Energy Foundation in the search for a Director, Strategic Partnerships. The Energy Foundation does amazing work, and we are doing our best to recruit a talented team member who will accelerate this mission. As the consulting partner strategic leaders choose to help attract, engage, and inspire effective leaders, Waldron provides a unique combination of executive search, leadership development, and career transition services across sectors and industries. Our passion is helping people and organizations realize their full potential and increase their impact. Seattle Portland San Francisco waldronhr.com