Manager, Clean Energy Community Programs

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World Resources Institute

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Washington, DC, United States

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This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month intheoffice. You can be based in our office inWashington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.


About the Program:

WRI’s Energy Program speeds the transition to a low-carbon, inclusive energy future by helping to build clean energy markets and change institutions. The U.S. Energy team focuses on decarbonization of the power and transportation sectors, with a focus of working with local and state governments, large energy buyers, utilities and others. The team focuses on effective implementation of new federal funding and programs through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to accelerate equitable deployment of clean energy. Our team accelerates deployment of renewable energy and clean energy technologies by addressing barriers, replicating successful models, and supporting policies or programs to accelerate adoption and achieve 100% clean energy in the power sector. WRI also undertakes research to support action, covering approaches to: addressing barriers to clean energy development, expanding the grid to enable the energy transition, accelerating equitable access to clean energy, expanding electrification, and encouraging adoption of new technologies to enable the pathway to 100% clean energy. Increasingly, WRI is integrating equity and social justice concerns into all of its work supporting the clean energy transition to ensure it benefits all.

The U.S. Energy Program’s work includes supporting cities with ambitious clean energy and transportation goals through programs such as the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) and SolSmart programs, the City Renewables Accelerator, and the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities program. C2C, for example, is a multi-million-dollar federal technical assistance program that provides participants – including local governments, tribes, electric utilities, and community-based organizations – with expertise and tools to support clean energy deployment. As part of C2C, WRI runs peer-learning groups and plays a significant role in the design, recruitment, selection, content development, workshop execution, and individual technical assistance efforts to make the project a success.
We focus on removing market and institutional barriers to clean energy deployment through efforts to enable cities to have a stronger voice on wholesale power market and grid issues. We also lead initiatives to encourage both new transmission build as well as approaches to increase the capacity of the existing transmission system, such as through use of advanced technologies. Our work on grid-related issues includes developing knowledge products, hosting convenings, and educating and engaging with policymakers.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Lead – Energy Program, you will provide expert support to the US Energy team on innovative strategies to advance equitable uptake of solar and clean energy technologies; develop new products that enable cities and other large energy users to meet their clean energy and electrification targets; help cities and companies deploy clean energy technologies; and address regulatory, siting, and permitting challenges to adoption.You will manage and support projects that involve: providing technical assistance to local governments and states, convening groups of stakeholders to drive outcomes, authoring knowledge products and blogs, and communicating research findings to internal and external audiences. You will also host stakeholder meetings and webinars, engage with key partners, and help support expansion of WRI’s work to create and scale clean energy solutions, including increasing access among low-income customers. You will support WRI’s domestic energy projects such as our work on U.S. DOE’s Clean Energy to Communities and SolSmart programs as well as U.S. EPA’s Solar for All program, which aims to enable solar adoption in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Your work will involve conducting research on pathways to accelerate deployment of low-carbon technologies in the power sector, developing new models for low-income customer access to solar and other clean energy sources in affordable housing, encouraging local siting and permitting best practices for solar and distributed wind, and addressing regulatory, utility and grid-related barriers to clean energy and vehicle electrification.

We are seeking a manager to lead projects that scale clean energy deployment in the power sector by accelerating demand for clean energy and removing barriers to siting and deployment. You will have an understanding of and experience working with cities and states, utilities, regulators, federal agencies, as well as solar, wind, storage, and other clean energy technologies. Experience with managing projects and deliverables and meeting client needs is important, and knowledge of government programs and awards processes is a plus. This is a unique opportunity to focus on driving equitable clean energy adoption and contribute to analysis that has a meaningful impact on the decarbonization of the power and transportation sectors. Working with management on strategy and project development, you will evolve this portfolio of work as new opportunities arise. You will also leverage partnerships and expertise across WRI’s programs, centers, and international offices, while cultivating partnerships with community organizations, external experts, and government officials. You should be innovative and entrepreneurial thinkers with an ability to identify and pursue new opportunities.

What You Will Do:

ProjectManagement (40%): -

  • Manage projects for various clients, including foundations and government entities, ensuring that the team meets deliverables, timelines, and budgets
  • Manage contractors and partner organizations in both official and unofficial capacities, as needed
  • Engage WRI research staff to ensure that shared insights are incorporated into ongoing workstreams to maximize alignment
  • Supervise and guide the work of junior researchers and interns
  • Coordinate across WRI program and issue areas to leverage institutional expertise and build internal support for the team’s work
  • Contribute to fundraising efforts to expand work on power sector decarbonization and develop content for proposals and concept notes, including deliverables, timelines, and budgets


Stakeholder Engagement, Outreach, andPartnerships (30%): -

  • Organize internal and external meetings, workshops, conferences, and other dissemination activities
  • Develop partnerships to advance our work and coordinate and align our work with other NGOs and key stakeholders to increase impact
  • Attend various external functions and events, as relevant, to serve as a representative of WRI’s US Energy team
  • Help represent the US Energy team in WRI and external meetings
  • Present and communicate findings and research at industry events and in blogs and media, to position WRI as a thought leader in removing market barriers to clean energy
  • Be an active team member of our US and Global Energy teams and ensure coordination with the other related work.


Knowledge, Research and Analysis(30%): -

  • Lead research and analysis and develop reports examining approaches and technologies to decarbonize the power and transportation sectors and transition regulatory practices to enable equitable clean energy adoption
  • Engage on US Energy team projects to accelerate power sector and transportation decarbonization and enable cities and utilities to meet their clean energy goals and increase the supply of clean energy on the grid
  • Demonstrate thought leadership in the areas of new business models for equitable solar adoption at affordable housing, and addressing barriers to adoption of clean energy technologies, including grid-related challenges
  • Develop high-quality, high-impact reports, issue briefs, case studies, and blogs
  • Contribute to our work on electric grid barriers and utility business models for EVs in the transportation sector


What You WillNeed:-


  • Education:     Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, sustainable energy or a related field
  • Experience:You have a minimum of 7 years of relevant, full-time work experience working on utility issues related to clean energy deployment, including experience on power sector decarbonization, electricity markets, and clean energy technologies
  • Ability to lead and engage with large groups of diverse stakeholders on complex technical topics
  • Demonstrated research experience, with published content in established and relevant industry outlets
  • Demonstrated ability to work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, manage multiple priorities, and work under tight deadlines
  • Collaborative problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Experience reviewing and editing written and presentation materials and ensuring high quality publications
  • Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
  • Detail-oriented, organized, and independent thinker
  • Understanding of utility rates, utility planning processes, including Integrated Resource Planning, and grid related challenges to clean energy deployment
  • Engagement with regulators and state energy offices and organizations such as NARUC and NASEO are desirable. Strong analytical skills preferred
  • Familiarity and experience with clean energy procurement practices (e.g., PPAs), community solar, and utility business models
  • Experience working on local clean energy and decarbonization topics with stakeholders such as cities, counties, regional planning organizations, affordable housing providers, community-based organizations and school districts
  • Languages: Fluent in English
  • Requirements:Existing work authorization is required where this positionis based. WRI is unable to authorize visa workauthorization


Potential Salary:Salary range is between96K and110KUSD.Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of September 15,2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.

You mustapply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

  • Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
  • The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
  • A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
  • The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
  • Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
  • Generous leave days that increase with tenure
  • Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution, Paid Time Off
About Us:

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.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation,
Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.


Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.