Director, Innovation

Center for Climate and Energy Solutions•Washington, DC

3d•$127,000 - $158,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is seeking a Director, Innovation to lead its growing Innovation Program. This role involves overseeing and strengthening existing work with companies, experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, while also developing and executing new programmatic initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in innovation policy, technical and market knowledge of clean energy technologies, strategic and program management skills, and experience managing high-performing teams. This position offers significant autonomy and responsibility for developing the organization's strategic direction in this area and building a team to drive impact, providing an opportunity for leadership, professional development, and real-world impact during a period of organizational growth.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., economics, environmental or energy policy, environmental studies, political science) with at least 12 years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree in science and technology, energy or environmental policy, political science or related field, with at least 9 years of relevant experience.
Strong understanding of the U.S. innovation ecosystem, including federal funding and programs, commercialization pathways, project finance, technology transfer mechanisms, and regional technology hubs.
Experience supervising, mentoring, and supporting professional development for staff.
Experience managing teams and collaboration across programs while balancing staff and resource allocation across competing priorities.
Independent, self-starter with a strong interest in taking ownership of a growing innovation program.
Positive, constructive, and outcomes-focused attitude.
Experience engaging stakeholders, particularly companies, in the climate and energy sector.
A strong, relevant network among NGOs, companies, agencies, congressional offices, trade associations, etc.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Self-motivated, and able to work both independently and collaboratively.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Commitment to C2ES values, including knowledge of, or experience in advancing issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental/climate justice.
Flexibility, willingness to pitch in at all levels, and a team player.
Humility, collegiality, a sense of humor, and a deep spirit of collaboration.

Nice To Haves

Technical and market knowledge of key clean energy technologies.
Keen strategic and program management skills.
Experience managing high-performing teams.
Poised for an inflection point in their career trajectory and growth as a leader.
Ready to take on significant program leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Develop a strategy for an expanded innovation program at C2ES that aligns with the organization’s broader strategy and core competencies.
Articulate a compelling vision for the innovation work to inspire investment and new resources from funders.
Direct and execute existing innovation programs, including workstreams on cross-cutting innovation challenges, engineered carbon removal, sustainable aviation fuel, clean hydrogen, and clean firm technologies.
Build and manage a highly effective team to deliver impact.
Represent C2ES and provide substantive leadership in coalition efforts focused on developing an innovation policy agenda.
Lead the development of C2ES's strategy in the federal appropriations process, including engagement with congressional offices and coalition partners, and submission of appropriations requests.
Conceptualize, meet, and track progress against program objectives and deliverables, including contributing to grant proposals, reports, and budgets.
Conceptualize, develop, and execute convenings with stakeholders to explore policy approaches to accelerating innovation.
Represent C2ES with policymakers, media, and other stakeholders, including public speaking opportunities.
Manage consultants as necessary.
Leverage expertise in policy, including state and federal programs and incentives for clean energy technology development and commercialization.
Synthesize technical, market, policy, and stakeholder input to identify policy and programmatic opportunities.
Identify and recommend organizational policy priorities for advancing technology-inclusive approaches and strengthening the U.S. innovation ecosystem.
Provide subject matter expertise and internal thought leadership on advancing clean energy innovation.
Provide thought leadership to external stakeholders on approaches to accelerate clean energy innovation.
Conceptualize, develop, manage, and produce C2ES research and analytical products relating to innovation.
Contribute to the organization’s strategic planning, direction, and development objectives.
Contribute to a strong organizational culture, including priorities around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
Contribute to strengthening internal capacity and core competencies.
Contribute to the alignment of staff responsibilities and resources across C2ES programs and initiatives.
Participate in monthly all-staff DEI meetings.
Demonstrate commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Complete DEI trainings during onboarding and on a yearly basis.

Benefits

Health Insurance (C2ES offers 80% of premiums for a specific platinum-level health insurance reference plan, the dollar value of which may be applied to any platinum-level plan offered on the DC Health Link marketplace).
Dental Insurance (C2ES covers 100% of the dental premiums).
Long Term Disability and Short-Term Disability.
DC Paid Family Leave (for employees working in the DC office).
Retirement Plan - C2ES contribution 5% towards 403B.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
Group Life insurance and Voluntary Life insurance.
Leave Time: New employees start accumulating 3 weeks' vacation per year.
Sick time: up to 10 days per year.
Personal Leave: Up to Two personal days per year.
Parental Leave.
FMLA Leave.
Holidays: C2ES observes 13 holidays during the year. Additionally, the organization closes in the last week of year.
Hybrid and flexible environment.