Initiative Director, Climate Programs

Manager: Director of Programs 

Date: August 2024 

FLSA Status: Full time, Exempt 

Location: Hybrid – DC/Remote. Willingness to travel up to 30% within the US.   

Salary Range: $115,000-150,000, depending upon experience 

Organization 

The Center for Community Investment (CCI), a sponsored project at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, works to ensure that all communities, especially those that have suffered from structural racism and policies that have left them economically and socially isolated, can unlock the capital they need to thrive. Over the past eight years, CCI (www.centerforcommunityinvestment.org) has worked with leaders and communities across the country to help them identify their priorities, develop projects to advance those priorities, and strengthen their investment ecosystem to facilitate investment. With the support of major national foundations, CCI runs both individual leadership development programs as well as initiatives that help teams and partner organizations apply CCI’s Capital Absorption Framework, a tested approach to helping investment land in disadvantaged communities. CCI has used its approach to help communities build and preserve affordable housing, improve climate resilience, fight against displacement, and build household and community wealth. Alumni of CCI’s programs in foundations, government, financial institutions, and community organizations share a commitment to systems change and support each other through a growing network of leaders. 

Position 

CCI is seeking an experienced community investment/development professional to create and lead initiatives that support local and regional leaders to meet the climate resilience needs of communities that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. These initiatives currently include a year-long leadership development program targeted to diverse climate leaders from a variety of sectors in California and a new, two-year, multi-city Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Accelerator designed to help communities develop and execute multiple equity-focused projects. 

The Initiative Director will work with faculty, CCI staff, partners, and program participants to create and lead programs that help communities articulate their priorities, develop a pipeline of projects to realize those priorities, attract and deploy capital to finance the pipeline, and strengthen their community investment ecosystems to facilitate progress. Grounded in racial equity and using approaches such as CCI’s Capital Absorption Framework and the principles of adaptive leadership, the Initiative Director will ensure that programs provide participants with the skills and resources they need to make their communities more resilient, equitable, and sustainable. The Initiative Director will also be a strong presence in the field, promoting the programs, sharing lessons learned, and accelerating climate equity in communities across the country. 

The successful candidate will be familiar with community and/or climate finance and will have on-the-ground experience leading multi-sector collaboration with a strong equity lens and learning orientation. 

What You’ll Do  

1. Lead initiatives and partnerships focused on equitable climate resilience  

• Collaborate with staff and consultants to design and execute strategies that strengthen the ability of the community investment system to address climate change in a way that connects low-income, Black, Latinx, and other people of color to opportunity and allows them to thrive. 
• Oversee and contribute to successful implementation of CCI’s California Climate Leaders Fellowship (CCLF), supporting CCLF faculty with knowledge and resources specific to the climate field, supervising the CCLF Program Manager, and identifying opportunities for coordinated action at the regional and state levels and across CCI programs. 
• Lead the launch and execution of a two-year, multi-city Accelerator to help develop and finance batches of equity-focused projects by bringing together project developers with community groups and supporting them to identify priorities and projects, overcome challenges, develop financing models, leverage government and private capital, and share learning with the field. Provide coaching and assistance to program participants as needed. Collaborate with evaluator and funders to adapt design and maximize progress. 
• Work with the Director of Operations and Finance and Director of Programs to develop and manage program budgets and work plans that maximize the impact of staff and financial resources. 
• Supervise program staff, creating a productive team culture and opportunities for growth and professional development. 

2. Develop and share learning to influence the field  

• Serve as a voice for equitable systems change on climate issues among community investment practitioners and the field, sharing approaches and lessons learned in writing and at conferences and other events 
• Develop and commission research, materials, and resources to inform CCI’s climate programs and strategies and assist practitioners 
• Identify potential partners and structure partnerships with organizations and practitioners advancing relevant and/or shared agendas  
• Develop roundtables, network events, and/or working groups that use the capital absorption frame to make vulnerable communities more resilient in the face of climate change  
• Work with Communications staff to develop and disseminate tools, case studies and methods for practitioners focused on equitable climate change 

3.0 Collaborate with CCI leadership and staff to advance CCI mission 

• Participate in direction-setting, learning and evaluation, liaison with funders, and the creation of a vibrant and expanding network in the field 
• Contribute to creating and maintaining an organizational culture that is respectful, values learning and promotes equity, diversity, and opportunity 

Qualifications  

• Deep experience and credibility in community and/or climate finance in leadership roles 
• Proven track record of managing complex initiatives, supervising a team of staff and consultants, collaborating with funders and evaluators 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including cultural competence, sensitivity to diverse perspectives, and ability to convey complex concepts to non-specialists  
• Knowledge of community stakeholders, including community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, research organizations, and local government 
• Familiarity with climate justice themes, practices, legislation, organizations, and practitioners  
• Knowledge of community development actors such as community development financial institutions (CDFIs), affordable housing developers, foundations, CRA banks, and others 
• Familiarity with the capital absorption framework and adaptive leadership strongly preferred 
• Highly developed coaching skills 
• Fluency in anti-racist practices 
• Great collaborator: able to both lead and follow 
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a positive approach and an innovative bent 
• Ability to take initiative  
• Flexible and adaptive approach with the ability to routinely juggle multiple competing priorities  
• Passionate about the mission of CCI and committed to justice, equity, respect, and inclusion.   
• Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint  

Education and Experience  

• Bachelors degree, masters in business, finance, policy, urban planning, or related field preferred 
• Minimum ten years of experience leading community change efforts, including leading systems change at a local level 

How to Apply 

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume to HR@centerforcommunityinvestment.org. 

About Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors 

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) accelerates philanthropy in pursuit of a just world. Continuing the Rockefeller family’s legacy of thoughtful, effective philanthropy, RPA is a global nonprofit at the forefront of philanthropic growth and innovation, with a diverse team of experienced grantmakers with significant depth of knowledge across the spectrum of issue areas. Founded in 2002, RPA has grown into one of the world’s largest philanthropic service organizations and has facilitated more than $4 billion in grantmaking to more than 70 countries. RPA currently advises on and manages more than $600 million in annual giving by individuals, families, foundations, and corporations. RPA also serves as a fiscal sponsor for over 100 projects, providing governance, management, and operational infrastructure to support their charitable purposes. rockpa.org | @RockPhilanth 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Individuals seeking employment at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), ancestry, citizenship status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.