Manager, Global Climate Cooperation Operations

Program/Department Overview

EDF’s Global Climate Cooperation (GCC) Mission Area leads and executes EDF’s work on multilateral climate cooperation and carbon pricing. The GCC team coordinates and aligns EDF’s approach for engagement and advocacy at international fora including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other UN climate talks. GCC team members undertake original research and publish in peer-reviewed journals; participate in and regularly give presentations to international negotiators, representing EDF and broader NGO coalitions; and develop and present materials in a wide range of settings including multilateral meetings with governments, civil society organizations, corporations, and other stakeholders around the world.

Overall Function

The position requires an individual who understands how to get things done through influence and collaboration at multiple levels within a team, program, and organization and has exceptional project management skills. The successful candidate will have experience in managing high-level relationships, including driving deliverables, handling sensitive and confidential information, and executing multiple, complex projects and initiatives simultaneously. The Operations Manager, Global Climate Cooperation (GCC) reports to and serves as a trusted advisor to the Director of Operations, works closely with all GCC staff and senior leadership including the Vice President of GCC, and liaises with stakeholders in other Mission Areas, Finance, IT, Development, and Communications.

The Operations Manager supports critical work for the GCC team, ultimately enhancing the team’s ability to achieve strategic goals related to addressing climate change. The Operations Manager will work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop, track, and progress GCC initiatives related to strategic and financial planning, fundraising, human resources, budget and contracts, and team communications and cohesion. The Operations Manager will lead planning and execution of departmental special projects that enhance team effectiveness and efficiency, including transition to new systems, tools, and processes. Additionally, this role will project manage special projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Support teambuilding and team cohesion by identifying and planning opportunities to connect and interact, including annual team retreat, professional development sessions, and year-round social activities.
• Develop and execute comprehensive project plans to enable the team to transition to new systems and tools, including gathering business requirements, evaluating solution options, collaborating with IT and other departments to plan a rollout, and ensuring team is trained and knowledgeable in new systems and tools.
• Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
• Manage a system to identify and track team funding needs and status of current grants; liaise with the Development team to communicate GCC team strategy and funding needs; assist GCC project leads in drafting fundraising proposals and reports for funders by collating relevant project and budget information and coordinating stakeholder reviews.
• Track and progress recruitment for open positions by working with hiring managers to draft job descriptions, connecting with HR to develop and execute an interview plan, and collating interviewees’ feedback and recommendations.
• Leverage understanding of team strategy and operations to suggest new project ideas, e.g. process enhancements, trainings, new tools.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned, including project management of GCC team special projects and initiatives.
• Document existing business processes, identify relevant best practices, and support training, change management, and communications to rollout enhanced business processes.
• Manage agenda development, capture notes, and follow-up on action items for GCC team meetings and retreats.
• Ensure awareness and accessibility of critical documents and information across the GCC team.
• Promote effective collaboration and communication across the Global Climate Cooperation team and with our partners across the organization, particularly across the Impact team to ensure optimization.
• Oversee the onboarding process for all GCC new hires; lead GCC team orientation sessions.
• With the Director of Operations, liaise with Mission Finance to provide input to annual budget planning and monthly forecasting processes; share budget information with GCC staff as needed.
• Manage a system to track GCC team-wide project information and status updates; ensure the team is on track to meet deliverables, and provide an “early warning” if this is not happening.
• Assist project teams in drafting contracts and agreements, coordinating necessary reviews while ensuring compliance with EDF policy.

In all special projects and initiatives, responsibilities will include:

• Evaluation of project success and usefulness; identification of areas of improvement for future use; communication of evaluation results to stakeholders.
• Creation of compelling content, including email communications, presentations, etc.
• Independent problem-solving and decision-making; conveying decisions to stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Coordination and collaboration with staff across organization to assign tasks and gather information, including GCC staff and leadership, partner Mission Areas, Development, and Human Resources.
• Creation and communication of project timelines, expectations, and shifts in deadlines and strategy across the GCC team and with other Mission Areas as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously;
• High initiative and capability to identify next steps, proactively assess risks, and address challenges with the support of team leadership;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience;
• Experience building and executing end-to-end project plans to implement a new business process, tool, or system;
• Outstanding ability to collaborate with multiple departments/functions to drive execution of initiatives;
• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds;
• At least 6 years of operations, project management, strategic planning or related experience, or advanced degree with at least 4 years of related experience;
• Passion for EDF’s mission; knowledge of climate and environmental topics is a plus.
• Solid business and financial acumen and analytical skills with an ability to present financial, strategic planning, and performance management issues in a clear and concise way;

Please include a Cover Letter with your submission.

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.