Executive Director, Emissions Market Accelerator

University of Chicago•Chicago, TX

5d•$170,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG) is a groundbreaking initiative that brings together faculty from across the University to advance society’s understanding of our energy and climate future. ICSG integrates insights in energy markets and policy, climate systems engineering, and energy technology to generate transformative ideas, while also fostering the next generation of energy and climate leaders through innovative educational programs. The Emissions Market Accelerator is groundbreaking ICSG initiative that works in collaboration with government entities around the world, data and trading firms, industrial associations, and individual industries to launch mandatory markets for reducing pollution emissions. EMA’s proven approach has already led to cleaner air for nearly 75 million people in India with a goal of achieving cleaner air for 1 billion people in the Global South by 2035. EMA’s team of economists, policy and data analysts, and market design experts provide a custom-built solution to make emissions markets work anywhere, for any pollutant, by supporting governments from design to full operation. ICSG is currently seeking an Executive Director to lead EMA in its next phase of global expansion. This is a unique opportunity to guide a high-impact scale-up organization with potential for unparalleled global impact on human health and the environment. The Executive Director, Emissions Market Accelerator, will be responsible for determining, managing, and successfully executing the next stage of EMA’s development at a critical moment of opportunity. Competitive candidates will have a proven record in environmental market design and associated academic research, partnership development, policy engagement, fundraising, outreach, and staff management. The person in this role will be responsible for strategically expanding EMA’s governmental partners in key global regions and working with relevant stakeholders to design, launch and operate mandatory compliance markets. Success is defined by the development of growing pipeline of partners and the launch of new markets commensurate with EMA’s goal of 1 billion people in the Global South breathing cleaner air by 2035. This is a senior level position that works closely with Professor Michael Greenstone and other EMA leadership to develop all aspects of the Accelerator’s strategic planning, partner engagement, execution, fundraising, outreach and communications. As a key public face of the Accelerator, the Executive Director is expected to play an active role in building EMA’s profile as a global leader in providing innovative solutions to reducing pollution emissions while driving economic growth.

Requirements

College or university degree in related field.
7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in economics, policy or related field.
Advanced degree in economics, policy or related field.
10 years of relevant experience working in the energy and environmental space in the Global South, preferably in a similar environment in a university, government, and/or not-for-profit organization.
Demonstrated experience raising money from a variety of philanthropic, institutional, governmental and multilateral entities.
Demonstrated experience building partnerships at the government, industry and NGO levels, with clear examples of partnerships that lead to observable outcomes
Demonstrated program and staff management experience
Demonstrated public speaking experience on related topics with a public track record of giving presentations and/or on-the-record interviews.
Hiring well-qualified, diverse, motivated staff in research, policy and capacity building roles, supervising their work and helping in their career development.
Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with governments, philanthropies and/or the private sector.
Successful fundraiser.
Comfortable managing team members with differing sets of technical expertise, such as those with software, atmospheric science, and/or economic backgrounds.
Evidence of strategic planning; align tactical work efforts with strategic vision.
Develop and maintain strong partnerships with external collaborators, funders, journalists, policymakers, researchers and other important constituencies.
Excellent oral and written communication and public speaking skills, including translate technical ideas into non-technical content.
Creating and maintaining a collegial work culture that emphasizes teamwork, results and good work-life balance.
Superior interpersonal skills and work effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse professional environment.
A quick, self-learner with the ability to initiate, organize, prioritize and complete multiple, high-level projects; meet tight deadlines; and work effectively with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated sound judgement, solve problems and make effective decisions.
Excellent organizational and analytical skills with high-level of accuracy and sharp attention to detail.
High level of confidentiality and discretion.

Responsibilities

Develops and executes strategic planning to grow EMA’s government and regulatory partner network in target regions in the Global South.
Forms strategic relationships with key partners in governments, non-profits, foundations, multilateral agencies, and the private sector to raise awareness about EMA’s approach in order to expand market partnerships and secure new resources.
Working with the ICSG Development team, leads design and execution of fundraising strategy, meets with potential funders, and writes proposals to secure new sources of funds to enable EMA’s market expansion strategy.
Coordinates closely with other ICSG global and regional teams to ensure clarity of communication and allocation of staff time and resources.
Leads a globally-dispersed, interdisciplinary team of researchers, analysts, and market design specialists.
Working with ICSG Finance team, oversees all operational activities of EMA, including budget formulation and execution, financial analysis and reporting, accounts receivable/payable, and procurement.
Working with the ICSG Policy and Communications team, builds and elevates the EMA brand through outreach to media and other critical stakeholders, writes locally-targeted opinion editorials and other media products, manages public facing platforms like the EMA website, etc.
Represents EMA and its activities to audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, media, and industry at conferences and other events, television and other media interviews, podcasts, etc.
Provides leadership for a Center with senior management and serves as a liaison to academic departments, professional organizations and administrative units of the University.
Manages related teams. Establishes department priorities, may be responsible for the management of the center budget, allocates resources and executes strategic plans.
Performs other related work as needed.