Senior Director/Director, International Climate Policy

The Senior Director/Director of International Climate Policy will lead the Energy and Environment Policy team’s work to develop and execute a program to drive international ambition and action toward the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement. To meet the goal of global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the work will focus on achieving ambitious and concrete actions by key large emitting countries in the next 10 years. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of international climate policy, including the strategic use of economic policy such as trade and investment to achieve this goal.

The Senior Director/Director will work with the International Climate Policy Analyst and other colleagues on the Energy and Environment Policy team, and members of other policy teams including National Security and International Policy and Economic Policy. They will work to identify and develop American Progress’ initiatives, programs, and research opportunities to advocate for an ambitious U.S. posture in international climate diplomacy. A substantial portion of that work will be focused on developing partnerships and programs with foreign counterparts, both in government and in the research and policy advocacy fields.

Responsibilities:

• Work with the Energy and Environment Policy team to conceive and develop American Progress’ international climate outreach program, including but not limited to policy dialogues, public programs, and joint research with international counterpart organizations.
• Coordinate with Energy and Environment Policy team leadership and related American Progress policy teams to identify and establish organizational priorities and strategies to achieve ambitious international climate and energy policies.
• Develop strategies and tactics to leverage U.S. trade and international investment policy to advance ambitious international climate action.
• Conceive, research, write, and edit original reports and issue briefs on international climate policy.
• Coordinate the day-to-day management of the International Climate Policy team, including overseeing the Policy Analyst and Research Assistants’ work planning and professional development and conducting editorial and policy-based oversight of written products.
• Lead the program’s fundraising and grant reporting efforts and oversee the international climate policy subteam’s budget and general administration.
• Continue efforts to expand and broaden the international climate policy community to include a diverse and inclusive group of stakeholders working on the issue.
• Represent American Progress in coalitions of other organizations focused on international climate policy.
• Liaise with members of Congress and Capitol Hill staff to understand and support positive policy ideas or stand up to oppose harmful policy changes.
• Represent American Progress as a spokesperson in all forms of on-the-record media as necessary to promote the team’s policy agenda.
• Plan and implement public and private events, meetings, summits, conferences, and other special events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required; advanced degree is a plus.
• At least eight years of experience for the Director and at least 10 years of experience for the Senior Director in international climate or international economic policy or advocacy. Executive branch or congressional experience is a plus.
• A proven knowledge base in international climate policy issues is required, and familiarity with climate trade and investment policy is a strong plus.
• Exceptional project management experience with very strong attention to detail and the ability to field quick-turnaround deliverables, as well as experience with long-term strategy implementation, reporting, and metric tracking. Experience in seeking funding or grant writing is a plus but not required.
• Management and leadership experience, with a strong commitment to supervising and developing staff in a manner supportive of diversity, equity and inclusion in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with diverse coalitions and a breadth of existing relationships in the climate policy space.
• Commitment to treating all partners, internal and external, with courtesy and respecting those of different cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrated excellence in research, editing, writing and analytic ability and strong public speaking and communications skills.
• Commitment to American Progress’ mission and goals, particularly progressive values including environmental and social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Understand how international environmental issues intersect with racism and economic and social inequality and have a passion for working to dismantle these systems.

American Progress offers full and competitive benefit packages. The Director position has a starting salary of $90,000. The Senior Director has a starting salary of $110,000. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.