Sr. Manager, Markets and Technology, Wildfire Resilience

Duration

This is a fixed-term contract position through February 28, 2027 with full benefits and the possibility of extension.

Location

This position may be remote or hybrid and based in the western U.S., with preference for candidates in Northern California or with the ability to travel to Sacramento and San Francisco monthly.

Forests Overview

EDF’s Forests Focus Area is one of EDF’s 8 global impact areas, whose goals rise to the level of the enormity of the climate and nature crisis. Through demonstrating proof of concept for large-scale forest conservation, engaging key Indigenous peoples and local communities forest policies and programs, and scaling access to finance for these solutions, EDF seeks to contribute global-scale contributions in support of meeting global targets to halt and reverse global forest loss by 2030 while boosting local livelihoods and forest restoration. To achieve this, EDF will harness its unique capabilities in science, economics, policy, partnerships and incentive design. The scope of this work is global in nature, with near term priorities on tropical forests and wildfire resilience in the US and globally.

Overall Function

The Senior Manager, Markets and Technology, Wildfire Resilience will help build a transferable model of public/private partnerships for wildfire resilience in the western United States with a particular focus on implementing market-based solutions and utilization of advanced technology and artificial intelligence. This strategy will require a laser focus on implementing viable markets to contribute to success of pilot projects in 2 to 4 landscapes in multiple western states in collaboration with local partners and synthesis of knowledge from a variety of sources to build the capacity of wildfire resilience practitioners to implement market-based solutions. The key outcome from this strategy will be increased private investment in large landscape wildfire resilience and to generate revenue from market-based strategies to complement public sector investments. Our theory of change requires bridging on-the-ground problem solving with systems analysis and synthesis to build transferable models that influence policy development, private financial flows, and ultimately land and fire management at large scales.

As a part of this work, this position will work with Communities of Practice (COPs), small groups and networks of experts, stakeholders, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and through careful facilitation, assess relevant technological and AI needs and use cases and identify gaps and needs. Further, they will liaise with the Office of the Chief Scientist with regard to Earth Fire Alliance’s FireSAT project, an emerging constellation of satellites that will provide state-of-the-art remote sensing related to fire management.

The Senior Manager will report to the AVP, Wildfire Resilience, and collaborate deeply across the EDF matrix and a wide variety of external allies and partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the market-based elements of the team’s wildfire resilience strategy and relevant utilization of advanced technology and artificial intelligence.
• Contribute to the development of an evolving model for large landscape wildfire resilience for the western United States, identifying key elements required and making recommendations for delivering wildfire resilience through a combination of forest management, beneficial fire use, judicious fire suppression, and community design at a relevant scale to eliminate catastrophic and encourage beneficial fire.
• Support tribally led wildfire resilience pilots and market-based strategies for pilot projects led by Native American Tribes in their aboriginal landscapes towards meeting those tribes’ ambitions for sovereignty over land and fire management.
• Organize and manage Communities of Practice (COPs) to assess data needs and technology opportunities to facilitate and catalyze market development.
• Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
• Liaise with EDF’s Office of the Chief Scientist in their role leading the science advisory process for Earth Fire Alliance’s FireSAT project.
• Represent EDF at conferences and other public speaking engagements, providing expert-level insights and information.
• Support fundraising efforts to attract critical resources to grow initiatives and impact, including contributing to proposal and report writing, donor stewardship, facilitating field trips and meetings, and providing regular written updates.
• Develop, manage, and guide a small team of staff and consultants as the strategy matures.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with a variety of relevant private businesses, local stakeholders, research organizations, NGOs, government agencies, and others.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in market development and technology in a relevant field (e.g., natural resources, forestry, agriculture, energy, wildfire resilience) and a Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree in natural resources, business, finance, management or related field is preferred and may substitute for up to 2 years of experience.
• Familiarity with application of advanced technology to catalyze market progress and deep understanding of the interactions with other elements that will include science-based landscape planning, fire management, sustainable forestry, community protection, strategy communication, and policy advocacy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain partnerships with established relationships in relevant business sectors.
• Demonstrated project and people management skills, including success in managing matrixed and interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated competency or ability to develop competency in partnership with Native American Tribes, tribal coalitions, and organizations.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for executive, financial sector, and general audiences, including the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and policy findings and translate them into compelling insights.
• Proactive and comfortable with innovation, including being willing to challenge the status quo and propose new ideas and opportunities.
• Proven ability to work well both independently and collaboratively as a lead on a team in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality, results-focused, and diverse work, at pace, on time, and within significant complexity.
• Ability and willingness to arrange transportation and travel up to 20%, including to remote rural regions with limited services (e.g., limited hotels and restaurants, poor telecom services) and San Francisco or Sacramento 1-2 days per month.
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.