Principal, Insurance & Climate Resilience - Climate Finance Program

Rocky Mountain Institute

17d•$139,000 - $172,000•Remote

About The Position

RMI is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit working to transform global energy systems and align markets with a clean, resilient, and prosperous future. We partner with businesses, financial institutions, policymakers, and communities to accelerate solutions that unlock the energy transition at scale. RMI’s Finance team is seeking a Principal, Insurance & Climate Resilience to lead and expand our work at the intersection of extreme weather risk, insurance markets, and disaster preparedness. This role will shape RMI’s strategy on how insurance markets can better price risk, incentivize resilience, and mobilize capital toward climate-adaptive outcomes. The Principal will bring deep experience from the insurance sector (carrier, reinsurer, broker, and/or adjacent ecosystem), strong understanding of insurance regulation, and a global perspective spanning U.S. and international markets. This individual will serve as a senior leader within RMI - setting direction, managing teams, representing RMI externally, and building durable partnerships across the insurance and finance ecosystem.

Requirements

10+ years of professional experience, with substantial experience in the insurance industry (e.g., carrier, reinsurer, broker, risk advisory, or related ecosystem).
Demonstrated expertise in natural catastrophe risk, pre-disaster risk mitigation, and the role of insurance in managing and transferring risk.
Strong understanding of insurance regulation and supervisory environments, particularly in the U.S., with exposure to global regulatory contexts preferred.
Proven experience operating at a strategic and senior level, including representing an organization externally.
Solid people management experience, including leading teams and complex work streams.
Ability to bridge technical analysis and senior-level decision-making across diverse stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts clearly and credibly to executive audiences.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in economics, finance, business, engineering, or a related field.
Experience with risk engineering, catastrophe or physical risk analysis, and/or financial modeling.
Familiarity with global insurance markets, including reinsurance and international regulatory frameworks.
Experience working across sectors (insurance, finance, policy, technology) to drive system-level change.

Responsibilities

Lead RMI’s insurance and disaster resilience strategy, identifying high-impact opportunities where insurance can drive real-world resilience outcomes.
Develop and advance frameworks linking natural catastrophe risk, insurance pricing, resilience investment, and financial stability.
Shape RMI’s positions on emerging issues such as resilience incentives, risk-based pricing, insurance protection gaps, and insurance-linked adaptation finance.
Translate complex risk, regulatory, and market dynamics into actionable insights for insurers, investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
Contribute to organizational strategy-setting and cross-program integration (e.g., climate finance, adaptation, energy systems, and policy).
Design and oversee multi-year initiatives related to insurance, resilience, and physical risk.
Ensure analytical rigor across workstreams, including engagement with risk engineering, catastrophe modeling, and financial modeling where relevant.
Guide the development of high-quality outputs, including reports, frameworks, convenings, and pilot projects.
Serve as a senior external representative of RMI with insurance executives, regulators, investors, philanthropic partners, and global institutions.
Leverage and expand a strong external network across insurers, reinsurers, brokers, regulators, and allied adaptation and resilience organizations.
Drive fundraising and partner development, including shaping proposals and stewarding strategic relationships.
Represent RMI at industry forums, conferences, and private convenings.
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of staff, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture.
Provide clear strategic direction, coaching, and accountability across a growing portfolio of work.
Contribute to RMI’s leadership community, supporting institutional learning, talent development, and operational excellence.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision insurance
403b retirement match with immediate vesting
Group life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability
Optional voluntary life, AD&D and accident plans
Health savings or flexible spending accounts
Fertility and hormonal health support
Mental health and wellness support
Comprehensive leaves of absence (including generous parental leave)
Generous paid time off and sick leave
Paid sabbatical leave
Regional holidays with at least one extended break in each geography
Work from home and home technology allowances
Learning & development opportunities (LinkedIn Learning and an annual individual professional development budget)
Potential for bonuses and merit increases
Discount marketplace (gym memberships, pet insurance, etc.)
Hybrid / remote work options
Team retreats and geographic meetups
Rewards and recognition programs