Executive Director, Emissions Market Accelerator

Department

EPIC Research Initiative

About the Department

The University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG) is a groundbreaking initiative that brings together faculty from across the University to advance society’s understanding of our energy and climate future. ICSG integrates insights in energy markets and policy, climate systems engineering, and energy technology to generate transformative ideas, while also fostering the next generation of energy and climate leaders through innovative educational programs.

The Emissions Market Accelerator is groundbreaking ICSG initiative that works in collaboration with government entities around the world, data and trading firms, industrial associations, and individual industries to launch mandatory markets for reducing pollution emissions. EMA’s proven approach has already led to cleaner air for nearly 75 million people in India with a goal of achieving cleaner air for 1 billion people in the Global South by 2035. EMA’s team of economists, policy and data analysts, and market design experts provide a custom-built solution to make emissions markets work anywhere, for any pollutant, by supporting governments from design to full operation.

ICSG is currently seeking an Executive Director to lead EMA in its next phase of global expansion. This is a unique opportunity to guide a high-impact scale-up organization with potential for unparalleled global impact on human health and the environment.

Job Summary

The Executive Director, Emissions Market Accelerator, will be responsible for determining, managing, and successfully executing the next stage of EMA’s development at a critical moment of opportunity. Competitive candidates will have a proven record in environmental market design and associated academic research, partnership development, policy engagement, fundraising, outreach, and staff management. The person in this role will be responsible for strategically expanding EMA’s governmental partners in key global regions and working with relevant stakeholders to design, launch and operate mandatory compliance markets. Success is defined by the development of growing pipeline of partners and the launch of new markets commensurate with EMA’s goal of 1 billion people in the Global South breathing cleaner air by 2035.

This is a senior level position that works closely with Professor Michael Greenstone and other EMA leadership to develop all aspects of the Accelerator’s strategic planning, partner engagement, execution, fundraising, outreach and communications. As a key public face of the Accelerator, the Executive Director is expected to play an active role in building EMA’s profile as a global leader in providing innovative solutions to reducing pollution emissions while driving economic growth.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes strategic planning to grow EMA’s government and regulatory partner network in target regions in the Global South.
• Forms strategic relationships with key partners in governments, non-profits, foundations, multilateral agencies, and the private sector to raise awareness about EMA’s approach in order to expand market partnerships and secure new resources.
• Working with the ICSG Development team, leads design and execution of fundraising strategy, meets with potential funders, and writes proposals to secure new sources of funds to enable EMA’s market expansion strategy.
• Coordinates closely with other ICSG global and regional teams to ensure clarity of communication and allocation of staff time and resources.
• Leads a globally-dispersed, interdisciplinary team of researchers, analysts, and market design specialists.
• Working with ICSG Finance team, oversees all operational activities of EMA, including budget formulation and execution, financial analysis and reporting, accounts receivable/payable, and procurement.
• Working with the ICSG Policy and Communications team, builds and elevates the EMA brand through outreach to media and other critical stakeholders, writes locally-targeted opinion editorials and other media products, manages public facing platforms like the EMA website, etc.
• Represents EMA and its activities to audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, media, and industry at conferences and other events, television and other media interviews, podcasts, etc.
• Provides leadership for a Center with senior management and serves as a liaison to academic departments, professional organizations and administrative units of the University.
• Manages related teams. Establishes department priorities, may be responsible for the management of the center budget, allocates resources and executes strategic plans.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, policy or related field.
• Advanced degree in economics, policy or related field.

Experience:

• 10 years of relevant experience working in the energy and environmental space in the Global South, preferably in a similar environment in a university, government, and/or not-for-profit organization.
• Demonstrated experience raising money from a variety of philanthropic, institutional, governmental and multilateral entities.
• Demonstrated experience building partnerships at the government, industry and NGO levels, with clear examples of partnerships that lead to observable outcomes
• Demonstrated program and staff management experience
• Demonstrated public speaking experience on related topics with a public track record of giving presentations and/or on-the-record interviews.
• Hiring well-qualified, diverse, motivated staff in research, policy and capacity building roles, supervising their work and helping in their career development.

Preferred Competencies

• Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with governments, philanthropies and/or the private sector.
• Successful fundraiser.
• Comfortable managing team members with differing sets of technical expertise, such as those with software, atmospheric science, and/or economic backgrounds.
• Evidence of strategic planning; align tactical work efforts with strategic vision.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with external collaborators, funders, journalists, policymakers, researchers and other important constituencies.
• Excellent oral and written communication and public speaking skills, including translate technical ideas into non-technical content.
• Creating and maintaining a collegial work culture that emphasizes teamwork, results and good work-life balance.
• Superior interpersonal skills and work effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse professional environment.
• A quick, self-learner with the ability to initiate, organize, prioritize and complete multiple, high-level projects; meet tight deadlines; and work effectively with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated sound judgement, solve problems and make effective decisions.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with high-level of accuracy and sharp attention to detail.
• High level of confidentiality and discretion.

Working Conditions

• Work some early mornings/evenings.
• Eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$170,000.00 - $180,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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