Director of Operations – New York, NY or Boston, MA

Organization: Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Corps

Job Title: Director of Operations

Location: New York, NY or Boston, MA

Hours and Compensation: Full time, Commensurate

Position Dates: Start ASAP

Application Deadline: Send in ASAP

Posted On: July 11th, 2012

Organization Overview

Climate Corps is Environmental Defense Fund’s innovative summer fellowship program that places specially-trained MBA and MPA students in companies, cities and universities to build the business case for energy efficiency. If improving building energy efficiency were as simple as flipping a switch, organizations could easily cash in on big cost savings and emission reductions. Unfortunately, limited resources, information gaps and organizational barriers prevent many organizations from taking advantage of smart energy investments. EDF Climate Corps overcomes these barriers with ambitious young talent trained to build the business case for energy efficiency. Since its launch in 2008, EDF Climate Corps has grown to almost 100 students placed in companies, universities and municipal buildings around the country.

Description

The Director of Operations reports to the Managing Director, Climate Corps, and plays a critical role in the scaling up of EDF Climate Corps over the next five years. The Director of Operations oversees all operations related to the fellowship program, and manages all Operations staff and supporting consultants to deliver project results on time and on budget. The Director of Operations develops and oversees operations budgets, and develops strategies and partnerships to increase participation in EDF Climate Corps while efficiently utilizing EDF resources.

Responsibilities

• Oversee staff and consultants in carrying out all operational functions related to the EDF Climate Corps fellowship, including:

• Recruiting students from MBA, MPA and other relevant graduate programs
• Recruiting host organizations, including companies, cities and universities
• Matching successful student applicants to host organizations
• Pre-fellowship preparation, including training and workplan development
• Managing EDF Climate Corps engagements during the summer
• Reviewing final reports from fellow engagements to determine program outcomes
• Tracking implementation of energy-saving measures recommended by fellows.

• Work with other EDF Climate Corps project managers to leverage the results and relationships developed through the fellowship program for broader impact (e.g., through network activities, learning and content dissemination, policy advocacy, and fundraising).
• Oversee the design, development and maintenance of the information technology infrastructure to support EDF Climate Corps’ operations at scale. Lead junior staff and outside contractors and coordinate with EDF’s information technology and web departments.
• Manage and mentor staff and interns.
• Develop strategic and staffing plans for processing a growing number of participants in EDF Climate Corps efficiently, while maintaining program rigor and quality.
• Develop annual budgets for program operations, and manage expenditures to meet those budgets.
• Develop strategic partnerships with other organizations as necessary to streamline student recruiting, training and placement, as well as corporate recruiting and results tracking.
• Participate in strategic planning and fundraising efforts to scale up EDF Climate Corps.
• Track and evaluate program results through surveys and after-action reviews.

Qualifications

We are seeking an experienced operations manager with a professional background in business or academia. Other qualifications for this position include:

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration or operations preferred; or bachelor’s degree with extensive relevant professional experience
• 7-10 years professional experience, including demonstrated ability to manage staff, complex projects and partnerships to achieve program goals
• Strong management and operations background, including direct experience managing a complex and cyclical program
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience;
• Exceptional personal organization and attention to detail;
• Flexibility and an ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment; and
• Proficiency in the use of IBM PCs, the Microsoft Office suite of software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint), database programs, and Salesforce.com.

How to Apply