Senior Associate, Climate Solutions
Position Overview
We are seeking a Senior Associate who will play a key role in supporting CEA’s existing climate-related engagements that may include: supporting energy-related strategy development and grantmaking, facilitating funder collaboratives focused on decarbonizing key sectors, and helping leading NGOs operationalize their programming, and helping to advance growth of CEA’s climate-focused project portfolio. This position interacts with leaders in the philanthropic field on work spanning a wide range of climate and environmental issues. Senior Associates manage day-to-day consulting engagements with environmental and climate-focused foundations, family offices, NGOs, impact investors, and bilateral and multilateral agencies. Our work environment is collaborative and intense. It requires intellectual rigor;excellent interpersonal and communication skills;strong research, analysis, and writing capacity;the ability to synthesize findings from a range of sources;superb project management skills;attention to detail;and a passion for climate solutions and environmental issues. We are interested in candidates coming from a range of professional backgrounds, including consulting, nonprofits, academia, finance/impact investing, private sector or corporate ESG, government agencies, foundations, and think tanks. Given the requirements of the position, consulting experience and grantmaking experience is desired. The Senior Associate cohort at CEA includes varied backgrounds and subject matter expertise. Senior Associates may range from professionals with five+ years of experience ready lead projects, seasoned professionals with advanced credentials and 15+ years of experience who prefer not to assume further management responsibilities, or experienced professionals new to consulting who are preparing for Director-level roles. Each of these profiles have succeeded as a Senior Associate at CEA.
Responsibilities
• Serve as an engagement manager for projects, acting as the primary client contact, leading project design and execution, managing teams, ensuring quality deliverables, updating workplans, managing budgets, and facilitating meetings • Lead climate-related projects with light support from senior team members, including climate policy analysis, grantmaking strategies, sourcing and diligence for philanthropic climate funders, GHG modeling, NGO strategy development, and operationalizing climate strategies • Manage teams in executing multiple assignments for different clients • Co-design and execute projects, including: o Formulate and test hypotheses via research, modeling, expert interviews, and data analyses o Facilitate group problem-solving and brainstorming to generate novel solutions o Synthesize disparate information (e.g., quantitative data, expert interviews, literature review) into findings and recommendations for clients o Deliver clear, compelling reports, presentations, and briefs o Ensure quality and rigor of all work products • Support Directors in business development: contribute to proposals, develop your professional network in the climate field, and source new project opportunities • Participate in CEA’s ongoing journey to become a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization.
Qualifications
Desired Content Knowledge and Experience • Deep knowledge of climate change and clean energy, especially “clean firm” technologies like geothermal and nuclear energy, in the U.S. and/or internationally. Content area expertise could include energy policy, renewable energy deployment (siting, transmission, grid modernization), energy access, and decarbonization of key sectors (e.g., industry, transportation, buildings), and natural climate solutions. • Robust understanding of the wider climate landscape, and nuanced appreciation of the interrelationships between sectors, communities, politics, economics, ecosystems, and earth systems;able to draw insight from the wider context to shed light on challenges and opportunities in clean energy and climate action. Desired Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree and five+ years’ work experience;advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MS, Ph.D.) a plus • Consulting or grantmaking experience preferred, particularly in senior roles advising philanthropic entities or leading grantmakers • Experience developing and leading projects from start to finish, including scoping, budgeting, and deliverables • Ability to manage multiple workstreams, meet deadlines and adapt to evolving client needs • Exceptional writing skills across mediums and audiences • Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication, including effective internal and external communication and ability to deliver compelling presentations • Discretion in handling sensitive matters and diplomacy with stakeholders • Two+ years’ experience managing and coaching direct reports • Experience with philanthropy and grantmaking, including creating strategies and theories of change, pipeline development, due diligence, and writing grant memos • Proficiency in qualitative research methods (e.g., interviews, case studies) and analytical tools (e.g., qualitative data analysis software) • Proficiency in quantitative research methods and data analysis (e.g., Excel modeling, statistical analysis, data management, data visualization) • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint;additional analytical tools (e.g., Tableau) a plus • Professional proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Mandarin, or Korean language with demonstrated cultural competency a plus.
Preferred Level of Education
Bachelor's, advanced degree preferred
Benefits Offered
Bonus, medical/vision/dental insurance, paid time off, paid sick time, holidays
Compensation/Salary
$100,000-140,000
How to Apply
To be considered for this position interested candidates must follow the link below to submit a resume and cover letter. Apply Here: https://job.ceaconsulting.com/jobs/senior-associate-climate-solutions-490?keywords=&location= CEA is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to our legal and ethical obligations to protect job applicants and employees from employment discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment due to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), age, disability, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, or veteran status.
About CEA Consulting
CEA Consulting is an environmental consultancy based in San Francisco, CA. For over four decades, CEA Consulting has partnered with a wide range of philanthropies, nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies in effectively tackling urgent environmental challenges—from climate change to ocean conservation to sustainable food systems. By combining rigorous analysis with deep sector expertise, we help our clients develop focused strategies, build and execute effective programs, and assess and amplify their impact.
Learn more about CEA Consulting
Equal Employment Opportunity
CEA is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to our legal and ethical obligations to protect job applicants and employees from employment discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment due to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), age, disability, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, or veteran status.