Assistant Initiative Manager - Commercial Technologies

Center for Energy and Environment•Minneapolis, MN

7d•$32 - $34•Remote

About The Position

The Assistant Initiative Manager will support the Center for Energy and Environment’s Market Transformation Team, which scopes, designs, and implements emerging technology initiatives to accelerate adoption of energy-efficient technologies. The role focuses primarily on efficient rooftop units (RTUs), supporting multiple RTU initiatives and potentially other commercial technologies. The position manages and supports initiative strategies with internal teams and external partners and oversees market deployment to increase technology adoption. It reports to the RTU Initiative Manager. The role includes initiative and project management, reporting, training deployment, utility and supply-chain collaboration, market analysis, and marketing coordination. The Assistant Initiative Manager will work with utilities, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, internal teams, and research and evaluation staff to identify market barriers and opportunities, track progress, and develop tools and educational resources that encourage adoption of efficient RTUs. The position may also identify appropriate opportunities to use AI and emerging technologies to improve program workflows while ensuring responsible use and human oversight.

Requirements

Understanding of the commercial HVAC market and technology.
At least 2 years of experience in commercial HVAC, energy efficiency, or related industries.
Demonstrated project management experience.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to understand and communicate technical subject matter.
Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritize.
Ability to craft clear and compelling deliverables.
Ability to work effectively and communicate with a variety of teams and external partners.
Desire to work for a mission-driven organization and contribute to addressing the climate challenge.
Familiarity with or willingness to learn AI tools to improve efficiency, support analysis, and streamline workflows, with awareness of responsible use, including human oversight, data confidentiality, accuracy, and bias.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience in a relevant field.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing work plans, coordinating or managing the work of others, and taking responsibility for producing work products.

Responsibilities

Lead development and implementation of select market intervention strategies and activities to achieve program goals and accelerate adoption of efficient RTUs.
Support daily program operations, including initiative budgets, annual workplan development and implementation, internal tracking, and reporting.
Support projects throughout their lifecycle, including kickoff, contract management, budgeting, reporting, and work planning.
Assist with market analysis and adapt strategies based on results.
Work with the market research and evaluation team to track and monitor product market share and other market progress indicators.
Identify opportunities to use AI and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance accuracy, with appropriate human oversight and compliance with organizational policies.
Engage with utility stakeholders, understand their perspectives, align activities and outcomes, and develop meeting agendas and presentations.
Collaborate with RTU manufacturers, distributors, and contractors to understand market barriers and opportunities and advance initiative goals.
Clearly communicate product definitions, theories of change, and program value to key market actors.
Lead internal meetings and support project management, communications, and progress tracking.
Oversee and maintain the development of tools and educational resources to increase uptake of efficient RTU technology.
Collaborate with marketing and curriculum development teams on activities that encourage awareness and customer demand for efficient RTUs.
Support event management and logistics as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.