Managing Director (Contract) Location: Flexible NEWHAB Network for Energy, Water and Health in Affordable Buildings This Managing Director position with the Energy Foundation is a contract position for one year. The contract can be renewed annually until such time that NEWHAB may establish itself as an independent organization. Search conducted by: waldronhr.com
About NEWHAB The Network for Energy, Water and Health in Affordable Buildings (NEWHAB) is a national social impact network leveraging the relationships between individuals, sectors, and policies. It connects multiple sectors including energy, housing, water, health, and social justice focused on addressing complex challenges. NEWHAB s membership totals more than 100 individuals, with an additional 200 allies that work towards a shared purpose. With funds from the Energy Foundation, NEWHAB connects cross-sector efforts to drive increased affordability, health, and comfort through efficient energy and water consumption in affordable multifamily buildings. Any individual and their organization who is working in these areas may take advantage of the network. NEWHAB focuses on eliminating the complex barriers blocking comprehensive energy upgrades in existing affordable apartment buildings with the aim to create healthy, more affordable homes across the United States. The network engages diverse stakeholders to leverage and connect their collective expertise, developing and testing strategies to make sure low-income and disadvantaged communities are seeing the benefits of energy efficiency, clean air, and clean water.
About NEWHAB (Continued) NEWHAB accelerates progress by: Creating a platform and community to share best practices, innovations, and successes; Connecting people working on policy and projects from multiple sectors; Focusing on the complex problems that one organization or sector cannot solve alone; and Leveraging NEWHAB s collective influence to change policy. The initiative works in close coordination with Energy Efficiency for All, ACEEE, Elevate Energy and New Ecology, NASEO, and others aligned with NEWHAB s goals and objectives. About the Energy Foundation The Energy Foundation (EF) is a pragmatic and nonpartisan organization with a mission to serve the public interest by building a strong, clean energy economy. The foundation supports education and analysis to promote policy solutions that build markets for clean energy technology. It believes that advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency can open doors to greater innovation and productivity growing the economy with dramatically less pollution. To learn more about the Energy Foundation, please visit its website here.
The Opportunity NEWHAB is quickly moving from startup mode into its next phase of growth. This is an exciting and important time for the new Contract Managing Director to lead the initiative to build strategies around member engagement and priorities, and to shape how the network will achieve outcomes, inspire action, and bridge the gaps between individuals and sectors. Overseeing NEWHAB s budget and operations, this position will manage a multi-sector, diverse, and vibrant network. Activities include facilitating peer exchange and collaboration, shaping and supporting strategic decisions of the network, enlisting the talents of members to address common problems and opportunities, and fostering relationships. Other responsibilities include: Managing geographically dispersed, remote-working staff and consultants. As the network grows, leading fundraising efforts to grow financial resources for NEWHAB. Reporting network activities regularly to Network Guardians. Evaluation of the network s accomplishments, tracking quantitative and qualitative indicators, including via annual membership surveys. Organizing annual in-person meeting of members. The contract Managing Director reports to the Senior Program Manager of the Energy Foundation, which also provides administrative support. This position will work closely with the NEWHAB Network Guardians (NEWHAB s Steering Committee) on the strategic direction of the organization; and can expect to partner with other initiatives that seek to advance the purpose of the network.
Key Priorities NEWHAB is advancing an exciting and ambitious agenda in support of its mission. The Contract Managing Director will drive forward a number of priorities in the first year requiring a leader who can effectively listen, curate activities, recruit and support active members, and facilitate and inspire collaborative learning. Building Relationships & Value NEWHAB s success is directly tied to how effectively the network understands and provides value to its members. This position must take the necessary time to engage with the diverse constituencies and stakeholders associated with the network to develop an acute understanding of their needs and how NEWHAB can best respond. This includes taking a thoughtful approach to building trust and credibility, forging relationships, and establishing affiliated partnerships across the sectors in which NEWHAB operates. Strategy & Profile This position will leverage the incredible expertise and talents of the Network Guardians to develop a collective vision and long-term strategy for NEWHAB. Equally important to this effort will be creating an inclusive process where members feel brought into planning discussions in meaningful ways and actively engaged throughout. The strategic plan will include tactics for: Strengthening member, ally, funder, and other stakeholder engagement; Unifying multitudinous program initiatives aligned with NEWHAB s goal, along with professionals who use this space for peer-to-peer training and learning; Encouraging member use of NEWHAB s communications platform to expand and document collective knowledge within the network; Effective communications strategies that raise NEWHAB s visibility as a platform and how it provides support to people and organizations; and Annual resource development. Independence & Integration The complexity behind NEWHAB s network is immense. It is part of a broad ecosystem in which it is the platform that connects sectors, perspectives, and contributes to initiatives aligned with its mission. The Contract Managing Director will need to establish a clear operating model that supports NEWHAB s independence and integration across this ecosystem. This hybrid will ensure that NEWHAB is a value-add connector and navigator across sectors. Part and parcel to this is NEWHAB s own organizational structure. This position will work with the Network Guardians to develop a plan to establish NEWHAB as an independent organization, which includes proposing structures for governance as well as operating and funding models going forward.
Ideal Candidate NEWHAB is seeking a leader who is passionate about and inspired by the opportunity to advance best practices in quality affordable housing, and by the power of an innovative and influential initiative to accelerate social impact in multiple sectors at once. The ideal candidate is a natural collaborator who knows how to operate in complex network environments, bring people and ideas along, and direct from the sidelines. Outstanding communication skills are central to the success of this role. Candidates must understand the importance of regularly communicating across the network, but in a way that adds value. The ability to communicate effectively across multiple channels is essential and candidates must have a genuine enthusiasm to engage in routine conversations with network members. This is a highly entrepreneurial role and candidates must be comfortable with ambiguity and be able to adapt to changing circumstances with ease. Experience with organizations going through significant growth or transition is necessary. This position will need to strike the appropriate balance with building structure and systems for the network where it s needed, but also allowing it to innovate and evolve freely. Candidates must appreciate that NEWHAB promotes piloting and experimenting with projects, promoting and encouraging a diversity of thinking and approaches, and allowing people to work together in unique and cross-sectoral ways. Assuming ownership over the network or any of its activities is contrary to its purpose, and instead is seeking a Contract Managing Director who understands the importance of fostering collaboration and allowing the network to generate activities for itself. The successful candidate will be someone who can focus on the connective tissue that facilitates this dynamic creativity instead of owning the minutiae.
Ideal Candidate (Continued) Demonstrated strategic leadership skills, including the ability to build shared support from partners and advisors, is essential. Candidates must be comfortable working in a virtual, network-based environment. Professional presentation skills are required and a track record of success cultivating relationships, building support, and directing diverse interests, passions, and expertise toward a shared outcome is a must. The contract Managing Director is a high-functioning generalist who understands the real power of social impact networks. Because of the complexity of the networks, candidates must have the maturity and emotional intelligence to engage in meaningful conversations, taking in various points of view, and then leading the network to decisions that are in its best interests. Minimum Qualifications Candidates must have a minimum of twelve years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a network or association environment, or similar membership-oriented setting. Knowledge of social impact networks and their operations is highly desirable. Familiarity with low-income or disadvantaged communities, affordable housing, health, and/or energy efficiency sectors is helpful. Strong project management skills are necessary, as is experience managing budgets, finances, and resource allocation. Experience in fundraising is critical. An undergraduate degree is required, an advanced degree preferred. The position s location is flexible, although candidates must be able to travel on a regular basis.
To Be Considered All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please submit your resume and cover letter expressing your passion for NEWHAB s mission and fit for the role. The following team from Waldron is assisting the search for NEWHAB: Jeff Waldron Managing Director Direct: 415.529.2150 jeff@waldronhr.com Mary Pelleriti Engagement Manager, Executive Search Direct: 415.529.2057 mary@waldronhr.com Ximena Ospina Associate, Executive Search Direct: 415.529.2261 ximena@waldronhr.com
Waldron is honored to work with NEWHAB in the search for a Managing Director (Contract). We believe in and support the work of NEWHAB and we are doing our best to recruit a talented leader 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