Director of Global Impact

To be considered, please apply directly to Arthan Careers who is managing this search for WRI: Director of Global Impact, The WRI Polsky Energy Center. Applications submitted on the WRI career page will not be considered.

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in the US, the UK, the Netherlands, India. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition:

The WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition delivers pragmatic, scalable and urgently needed solutions to achieve a clean, abundant, affordable and reliable energy future.

Harnessing WRI’s renowned analytical power, convening ability and global expertise, the WRI Polsky Energy Center works with governments, utilities, companies, financial institutions and civil society to find bold solutions to the barriers that stand in the way of the energy transition, including modernizing grids, unlocking financing, sourcing critical minerals responsibly and building a future-ready workforce.

We support the global commitment to accelerate renewable energy, deliver energy storage solutions and increase energy efficiency, while continuing to transition from fossil fuels.

The WRI Polsky Energy Center takes a unique, three-part approach that combines WRI’s renowned experts, a world-class Advisory Group and collaboration with partners to:

• Generate evidence-based analyses on barriers and solutions through rigorous research from around the world.
• Orchestrate the change by engaging influential actors, banks, companies, utilities, governments and civil society to co-create and implement solutions.
• Leverage WRI’s reach including the Institute’s presence in a dozen of the world’s most influential economies and global expertise on topics that are important to the energy transition such as land use, oceans, urban development, climate, economics, finance and governance.

About WRI:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

About the Role:

As the Global Director of Impact for the Energy Program, you will be responsible for global delivery excellence and be at the forefront of stakeholder engagement, research, and program implementation across WRI’s energy network to ensure that these activities contribute to the achievement of WRI’s goals and have optimal impact on people, nature, and climate. This is a highly visible role, both internally and externally.

Your leadership will be instrumental in directing and supporting the Impact and Delivery team, which includes 4-5 senior leaders across Communications, Engagement, Research, and PMEL (program measurement, learning, and evaluation)

You will be a member of The WRI Polsky Energy Center Global Leadership Team, which will include leaders of the Country Energy programming and the Energy Program’s four thematic pillars - clean energy supply, decarbonized consumption, equitable access, and energy minerals and circularity

If you’re someone who can bring out the best in people, has experience with strategic work at a global scale, and is a master at getting things done, we encourage you to apply!

What you will do:

• Drive impact on energy transition across the WRI global network
• Lead a team of experts in research, engagement, communications, and planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (PMEL)
• Assist Director of The WRI Polsky Energy Center with annual planning, funder reporting, and budget preparation for the Polsky Foundation.
• Secure and manage strategic institutional partnerships with external organizations
• Support effective, efficient and inclusive leadership approach that strengthens and supports country-level impacts as well as energy system change at the global level
• With the PMEL manager, ensure timely monitoring and reporting on Energy strategy milestones and outcomes, and develop learning and evaluation approaches to advance strategic goals of the 4 pillars of WRI energy programming
• With The WRI Polsky Energy Center communications director, establish communications priorities and deliver plan with support and institutional backing by the the VP Communications at WRI
• Work with the Chief of Staff to ensure clear roles, responsibilities and accountability for staff and to ensure the right people are in the right roles - talent management, recruitment and promotions
• Work with the Chief of Staff and Global Coordination Manager to ensure effective coordination and cross-team work within the global energy and country teams and across WRI.

What you will need:

• You have a master’s degree in Economics/International Relations, Energy Policy or a related field or an MBA
• You come in with at least 15 years of overall work experience with minimum 5 years in leading and managing high impact delivery teams across different countries and geographies, with international and country offices
• You have expertise in areas of international energy transitions, energy/climate policy, international negotiations and are familiar with US Energy Transition and have worked internationally, preferably with and in developing countries as well
• You have been in a leadership team, driving strategy, ensuring alignment, integration, strong resourcing and operations, reviewing outcome progress, ensuring high quality deliverables, and creating a great place to work
• You have outstanding interpersonal skills and have demonstrated ability to work and be influential with internal and external partners at executive levels including government partners, private entities, public orgs and financial institutions
• You have experience in systems thinking and strategy development that incorporates research, engagement, and communications tools for impact
• You have a strong background in successful fundraising and have worked with budgets
• You are available to travel internationally for internal and external meetings, conferences, fundraising, and other purposes 30% of the time
• You’re entrepreneurial in nature and your decisions are data driven and solution oriented
• You are emotionally intelligent, invest in relationships at all levels, internally and externally and handle conflicts well
• You have international exposure and thrive on working with individuals from different cultures, geographies
• You’re a born leader, who works with integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

Potential Salary: 

Salary range is between 164,000 and 197,000 USD if based in the US.

Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive remuneration and benefits package.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network, learning from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• Opportunity to create an impact and develop your career with a mission driven organization as a programmatic leader
• Achieve work life balance through a hybrid working model with flexible working hours and generous leave days that increase with tenure
• Feel medically and financially secure - Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, Retirement Plan Access and Employer Contributio

How to Apply:

Kindly apply using the link here.

As the role is open to candidates across the globe, including EU and US citizens, the form includes a few questions around race, ethnicity, disability, veteran status and GDPR compliance. It is voluntary to share this information with us. All information will be confidential and be shared only with specific members within WRI and Arthan.

We thank you for applying for this role and showing your interest in working with WRI. Post your application, if you meet the search criteria and your profile is shortlisted, we will be getting in touch.

*All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.