Program Officer - Connected Grid Initiative

Multiplier•San Francisco, CA

16h•$160,000 - $175,000•Remote

About The Position

The Connected Grid Initiative (CGI) is a multi-funder collaborative and field catalyst working to advance electric transmission solutions for the future. CGI exists to unlock U.S. grid capacity and enable the deployment of clean power at scale for a stronger, more reliable, and more affordable grid for all Americans. CGI’s theory of change focuses on overcoming critical barriers to transmission development by supporting transmission advocates at the federal level and across all regions of the country to accelerate transmission planning, paying, permitting and development. In less than 3 years since CGI’s inception, CGI has built a substantial grantee network consisting of more than 90 partners including both national and local organizations with varying specializations. CGI is supported by more than a dozen key philanthropies and individuals with a shared mission: to unlock U.S. electric transmission solutions and expand grid capacity for the benefit of all Americans. CGI Program Officers play a lead role in developing and executing grantmaking strategies to advance CGI’s goal of expanding electric transmission infrastructure at the scale and pace to service pressing national needs. They also serve as ambassadors for CGI in building and resourcing a network of philanthropic partners, advocates, and policy leaders who advocate for solutions to transmission challenges. Key responsibilities include strategy development, grant sourcing and diligence, grantee relationship management, and supporting impact evaluation and reporting. The Program Officer will join a program team consisting of the CGI Deputy Director and two other Program Officers. The position will report to CGI’s Deputy Director, and work closely with the entire CGI team. The program officer will lead the management of an existing initial portfolio of 25-30 grantees across targeted geographic regions, with particular focus in southern U.S. regions. The Program Officer will monitor, engage, and evaluate their grantee portfolio against organizational priorities and adjust funding and strategies as needed to maximize outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, with a preference for candidates with a post-graduate degree.
7 years of experience working in energy, non-profit energy advocacy or philanthropy, consulting, transmission planning/development, or electricity policy, with a preference for candidates with experience working in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), Southwest Power Pool (SPP), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and/or the Southeastern U.S. regions.
Demonstrated ability to develop, present, and execute a cogent strategy.
Strong research, writing, and analytical capabilities, including the ability to communicate complex issues concisely.
Strategic and critical thinker who is comfortable working independently with minimal oversight.
Willingness to perform duties across all aspects of CGI’s grantmaking operations, as necessitated by a lean team; similarly, excitement to collaborate with and mutually support other aspects of CGI’s core mission including funder engagement.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, campaigns, and deadlines simultaneously — strong project management, organization, and attention to detail.
Familiarity with remote work tools and platforms — Teams, Zoom, social media platforms, and basic office software.
Comfort working collaboratively across teams, partners, and external stakeholders — including grantees, funders, program staff — to align strategy and portfolio management efforts.
Flexibility, adaptability, and comfort working in a dynamic environment — able to respond to emerging opportunities, adjust priorities, and adapt strategic intervention accordingly alongside colleagues and partners.
Strong ethical judgment, discretion, and commitment to consistency and brand integrity — capable of representing the organization and managing sensitive relationships with care.

Nice To Haves

Experience in grantmaking or grant management is desirable.
Experience with U.S. policy on electric power, transmission, and grid modernization is strongly desired.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and manage grantmaking strategies to advance transmission solutions across the country.
Ownership of strategy, grantmaking, and grantee engagement for select geographic based transmission planning region(s): MISO, SPP, ERCOT and Southeast (note, potential to shift some regional focus over time and based on particular experience relative to other Program Officers).
Ownership of topical specialization(s), including coordination with and informing strategic implementation in other Program Officers’ regions.
Identify and address emerging needs and gaps in the field and source “best-fit” opportunities for CGI’s portfolio through consistent engagement with peer funders, partners, and grantees, including understanding the ecosystem of actors and advocates.
Develop quarterly funding recommendations that are supported by thorough vetting and due diligence analyses for grantmaking opportunities that advance CGI’s goals.
Management of portfolio strategies that align with CGI’s grantmaking budget.
Prepare materials for and make presentations to CGI’s Grants Committee to secure approvals for funding recommendations in accordance with CGI grantmaking processes.
Align grantmaking with CGI metrics and goals and demonstrate progress towards meeting goals.
Build and actively manage relationships with CGI current and prospective grantees to provide guidance, thought partnership, and connections across the transmission advocacy space.
Bring big ideas that challenge the status quo and advance CGI’s mission.
Maintain a high level of transmission expertise by staying up to date on recent transmission developments; be able to share insights, perspective, and thought leadership.
Provide strategic input to development and implementation of program measurement and evaluation to inform CGI’s grantmaking strategies. Provide inputs into CGI reporting and evaluate performance of grantees to inform opportunities for further development and grantmaking and to deepen programmatic impact.
Participate in quarterly in-person team meetings, annual grantee conferences, and funder gatherings.
Propose and support network education through development of topics and materials for monthly Transmission Taskforce webinars, quarterly Funder Learning Calls, and regular CGI communications.
Utilization of organizational system tools, such as Salesforce, Zoom, and OneDrive, to enable coordinated, timely and transparent sharing of information.
Willingness to travel up to 20%.