Deputy Director

Deputy Director

Job Description

Location: U.S., Virtual. Travel required

FLSA Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Position Reports to: Executive Director

TO APPLY

Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume to: careers@climate-mayors.org. The priority deadline to apply is October 7th; however, this position will remain open until filled, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Candidates are requested to use the following headings and labels when submitting their applications. References should be included directly in the email body.

• Email subject line: Deputy Director [Full Name]
• Cover Letter attachment: First Initial.Last Name_Cover
• Resume attachment: First Initial.Last Name_Resume

CLIMATE MAYORS: We are mayors working together to accelerate equitable climate action in cities across the U.S. (APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL FILLED)

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The Climate Mayors network was founded in 2014 as a bipartisan, peer-to-peer U.S. network of mayors demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful equitable climate action in their cities and communities. Representing 48 states and 74 million Americans, the network of over 500 Climate Mayors reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress. The Chair is Cleveland Mayor, Justin Bibb and Co-Chairs are Phoenix Mayor, Kate Gallego and Boise Mayor, Lauren McLean.

Climate Mayors prioritizes federal engagement with the Biden Administration and Congress, including supporting and guiding infrastructure investments, key climate and environmental justice policies, etc. The Climate Mayors’ hosts an annual summit, monthly webinars for staff and mayors, regular regional public dialogues with mayors, and frequent closed-door mayoral meetings with White House and Biden Administration officials.

Climate Mayors is a fiscally sponsored project of Resources Legacy Fund (RLF). RLF builds alliances that advance bold solutions to secure a just and resilient world for people and nature. RLF partners with philanthropy, community groups, government, science, and business to promote smart policies and ensure equitable public funding for the environment, climate change resilience, and healthy communities. Across the American West and internationally, RLF manages complex, multi-year grantmaking programs and fiscally sponsored projects that accelerate change on environmental and equity issues.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Deputy Director will play a critical role in advancing the mission of Climate Mayors by supporting the Executive Director in managing day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and member engagement. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with strong leadership skills and a passion for climate action and environmental justice. The Deputy Director will work closely with mayors, federal officials, and other key stakeholders to drive impactful climate initiatives across the network. The Deputy Director will be responsible for the following:

The Deputy Director will manage and oversee Climate Mayors’ programs and initiatives. They are responsible for many aspects of a program's life cycle, including:

• Strategy: Developing and implementing program strategies that align with the organization's goals and mission
• Resource allocation: Ensuring resources are efficiently allocated
• Performance: Monitoring program performance and assessing outcomes
• Collaboration: Working with cross-functional staff members, stakeholders, and partners to drive innovation and make data-driven decisions
• Communication: Continually communicating and reinforcing priorities to keep the team focused
• Accountability: Holding other staff accountable for meeting the needs of the organization

The Deputy Director will also have other responsibilities, such as:

• Leading, managing, and coordinating the work of multiple program areas
• Overseeing staff development
• Developing and implementing procedures for monitoring quality and quantity of services
• Building relationships with key funders and partner organizations
• Supporting fund development efforts
• Overseeing capacity building and working with Climate Mayors’ fiscal sponsors on accounting & finance, human resources and training programs
• Leading effort in establishing staff goals and objectives

Strategic Leadership

• Assist the Executive Director in developing and implementing strategic plans to advance Climate Mayors' mission and goals.
• Manage key projects and special initiatives that relate to organizational growth.
• Track financial performance of programs and policies to ensure alignment with organizational and grant budgets.
• Participate in key decisions around organizational priorities
• Oversee complex and cross-departmental projects that contribute to our mission. 
• Provide ideas, input, and in some cases leadership for new programs.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with mayors, federal officials, community leaders, and other stakeholders to promote collaboration and drive climate action.

Team Management

• Monitors the organizational structure, staff assignments, and administrative systems required to accomplish Climate Mayors’ mission and objectives in an effective and efficient manner
• Collaborates with policy, communications, events and administrative staff to develop and disseminate key messages, reports, and updates to members and stakeholders 
• Partner with the Executive Director on budgeting, tracking, and reporting finances.

Fundraising and Development

• Assist in identifying and securing funding opportunities to support Climate Mayors' initiatives and operations.
• Oversee grants calendar, ensuring that proposals are submitted and reporting takes place on a timely basis. 
• Write grant and contract proposals and budgets, often in collaboration with others.

QUALIFICATIONS

Note: These qualifications are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, so if you have 75% of the qualifications listed, we encourage you to apply. Experience can include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work that helped you to build the competencies, knowledge, and skills needed for this position. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental policy, public administration, political science, or a related field

Experience: At least 5 years in a senior management position in a nonprofit organization, foundation, or government agencies

Skills:

• Strong strategic planning, program management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead teams.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership techniques; accounting, budgeting and financial principles; and the principles and practices of administration and management.
• Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals for operations; decision-making at an executive level, including assessing risk and using good judgment to inform decisions and recommendations to leadership; and conflict resolution and working quickly and collaboratively to solve problems.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct program activities and/or business functions; to establish program goals and objectives that support strategic priorities; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to develop and implement policies and procedures; to prepare concise reports; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.
• Passionate about climate action and environmental justice.
• Collaborative, proactive, and results-oriented.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Deputy Director starting pay of $150,000-$170,000 Salary commensurate with related work experience and qualifications.

We have an alternate Fridays off work schedule (employees work 40 hours one week, 32 hours the next week) and offer a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan with a 5% match, and generous paid time off. RLF also offers a technology allowance, student loan repayment assistance, the Calm app, mental health benefits and approximately 17 paid holidays per year.

TO APPLY

Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume to: careers@climate-mayors.org. The priority deadline to apply is October 7th; however, this position will remain open until filled, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Candidates are requested to use the following headings and labels when submitting their applications. References should be included directly in the email body.

• Email subject line: Deputy Director [Full Name]
• Cover Letter attachment: First Initial.Last Name_Cover
• Resume attachment: First Initial.Last Name_Resume

RLF is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, or sexual orientation. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination, where all team members feel valued, respected, and included. We know that our work is enriched by the varied voices and perspectives of every staff and board member, so we are committed to making an earnest effort to recruit, welcome, train, develop, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. We believe that a diverse and inclusive culture expands our creative capacity to do our work and achieve greater outcomes for people and the natural world. Learn more about RLF’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on our website.

RLF participates in E-Verify.