Position Overview
The U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors committed to advancing bold climate solutions and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The U.S. Climate Alliance Secretariat provides strategic, convening, analytical, and other functions to support Alliance states in making progress on their climate priorities. For more information on the on the Alliance, please visit usclimatealliance.org.
The U.S. Climate Alliance seeks a Chief of Staff to report to the Executive Director and work closely with the Leadership Team to ensure organization-wide success in executing on our mission, meeting near-term priorities, and delivering on our long-term goals. This has been a pivotal year for the U.S. Climate Alliance. Under the leadership of the Executive Director, our coalition has grown in size and impact โ implementing a new governance structure, diversifying our funding base, deepening engagement with the federal government, and bolstering the policy, technical, and capacity-building services we provide to Alliance states and territories. To build on this momentum, the U.S. Climate Alliance is searching for a highly effective Chief of Staff to serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and Leadership Team, bring a passion for organizational excellence and compassionate leadership to our Secretariat, and actively contribute to all aspects of the U.S. Climate Allianceโs mission, core values, and strategic plan.
This position is internally facing, focused on strengthening our talented, resilient team at the Secretariat to improve the services and supports we provide to states and territories. You will be most happy in this position if you are a natural leader with a strong attention to detail who loves to create and execute processes to streamline operations; encourage and empower those around them; manage vertical and horizontal workflows; engage and serve as a sounding board to team members; and advise and keep on task a busy Leadership Team. Each day will be fast-paced, fulfilling, and require active learning and the juggling of many priorities. Climate experience is not required, but a passion for our mission is needed.
The Chief of Staff will be expected to work as part of a broader team that includes Alliance states, consultants, and external partners. The position currently manages two direct reports โ a Finance Manager and Operations Associate โ and is part of the Energy and Climate team at the United Nations Foundation (UNF), which houses the U.S. Climate Alliance Secretariat.
This position is based in Washington, D.C., with limited domestic travel required.
Essential Functions
Selection Criteria
Bachelorโs degree required7-10 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience in strategy execution, project management, or business operationsCommitment to modeling exceptional character and upholding the mission, values, and diversity, equity, and inclusion principles of the U.S. Climate AllianceDemonstrated capacity for emotional resilience coupled with a history of working cooperatively and respectfully with internal and external stakeholders in dynamic environmentsGrowth mindset with a keen sense of accountability for achieving resultsExceptional communication skills, both oral and written, with an ability to drive processes through from conception to completion โ ensuring that all key stakeholders are kept apprised of updates and informed of outcomesDemonstrated experience advising executives, supervising personnel, managing budgets and finances, and overseeing organizational and people managementExcellent critical thinking skills with an ability to bring a steady hand and sense of calm in a fast-paced environmentCapacity for anticipating and addressing challenges, including by mitigating risks and resolving conflicts when they occurAbility to grasp and add value to the vision of the Executive Director and the Leadership Team, helping our leaders develop and execute strategyStrong organizational, political, and emotional intelligence, with experience using discretion around highly sensitive informationDomestic travel required (approximately 1-2 domestic trips per year)Writing sample is requiredBenefits & Compensation
For full-time, benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:
Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.
The United Nations Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative-action employer. The United Nations Foundation provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.