Who We Are

The California Clean Energy Fund, branded as New Energy Nexus, has been accelerating clean energy innovation and startup ecosystems for over a decade. We are optimizing the energy transition to create a 100%+ clean energy economy for the 100%. Since 2004, we have leveraged $1.5 billion, invested directly in over 100 clean energy enterprises, and launched industry-leading solution centers. Today, we have an audacious plan for rapid clean energy adoption to build equity into the energy economy and create new jobs here in California and globally. Since 2018, in collaboration with local partners, New Energy Nexus has been working to seed an equitable and circular economy centered on a fully integrated advanced battery and EV manufacturing supply chain in Inland Southern California.

About the Role

We are seeking a Program Manager who can manage the day-to-day efforts to inspire entrepreneurship and grow local workforce readiness for the emerging clean energy economy while working collaboratively and in service to local partners. The Program Manager will be responsible for the planning and execution of a Youth Entrepreneurship Accelerator (YEA!) that will highlight ramps and career pathways to the clean energy economy for youth and adults in disadvantaged communities. This will include working with the Program Director to define new projects based on evolving strategy; mapping out, planning and tracking of project execution; putting on a diverse array of innovation ecosystem building events; gathering feedback and adapting plans accordingly; and building relationships with local partners, including government officials, educational partners, business leaders, labor and workforce development organizations, entrepreneurs, tribal leadership, and other local and regional community-based organizations and non-profits.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who lives and works in Imperial County (or has roots there and a desire to return), and is passionate about helping to bridge the gap between local innovators and entrepreneurs and the clean energy transition. Our ideal candidate is someone with significant project management experience and proven ability in stakeholder relationship development, experience with hosting and managing large-scale events, and a deep commitment to building a more inclusive clean energy innovation ecosystem. They thrive in an early-stage, regularly changing environment by being a quick learner willing to roll up their sleeves; they’re an excellent communicator, a self-starter, proactive, solutions-oriented, and able to prioritize and multitask with minimal oversight while keeping projects on track in a fast-paced organization. The ideal candidate excels at working with a hybrid team, maintaining communications and collaboration with both local and remote colleagues and external partners through written, video and phone communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage program execution, including project timeline development and tracking, working through direct and indirect authority with internal staff and external partners
• Develop a deep understanding of the culture and community needs of the Salton Sea region and work with the Program Director to proactively develop resources and programs to serve these needs in order to cultivate a regional innovation ecosystem
• Identify and build relationships with key stakeholders and partners throughout the region, including educational partners, labor and workforce development staff, business leaders non-profit leaders, and represent New Energy Nexus at local events and meetings
• Maintain regular written, verbal and in-person communication with community stakeholders, accelerator participants, partner organizations, and New Energy Nexus staff
• Host multiple major events per year for a diverse array of stakeholders including planning and execution of all event details in a timely manner
• Identify opportunities for workforce education and connections to career pathways for local communities
• Manage Program Associate through mentorship, delegation of tasks, managing their completion of work, and supporting professional development
• Creation and maintenance of a repository of informational resources to support the accelerator program, and the Salton Sea region

Location

This position is located in Imperial County, hybrid mode to start with. Local and some statewide travel necessary. Unfortunately, relocation assistance is not available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree +
• Minimum 8-10 years of relevant work experience
• Experience working in organizations that support leadership development, accelerators, innovation prize programs, start-up companies, or launching new programs
• At least 5 years in program management directing the design and execution of complex initiatives in a lean, fast-paced environment, managing decision-making processes, building processes, aligning opportunities to program objectives, and assigning priorities
• Deep understanding and demonstrated expertise building collaborative frameworks with communities in the Salton Sea region and/or with disadvantaged and low resource communities, including border cities and tribal nations
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, from elected leaders to youth
• At least 5 years of experience managing direct reports, setting priorities, and achieving results in a matrixed environment
• Ability to identify and track relevant KPIs using project management software
• Ability to coordinate and execute large events in partnership with others, tracking plans from vision to details
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, in-person, by phone, and via digital communications
• Experience with communicating complex, technical and political issues to non subject matter experts and community groups; ability to translate these issues into clear, concise messaging relevant to different stakeholders
• Proactive, solutions-oriented problem solver able to cultivate clarity and achieve results within an adaptive management framework; willing and able to build programs while learning and pivoting along the way
• Effective delegation, management and monitoring of external partners to deliver outputs; ability to cultivate strong, productive working relationships without formal authority
• Collaborative and collegial working style both with colleagues and external partners and agencies
• Strategic and creative thinker, able to identify and leverage connections and maximize the value of opportunities in unique ways
• Ability to work independently for extended periods of time in a remote environment
• Ability to independently balance competing priorities, complex situations and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work in and contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment
• Commitment to New Energy Nexus's mission to support diverse entrepreneurs to drive innovation and build equity into the global clean energy economy

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience working in or with non-profit or government organizations with a focus on clean energy and climate solutions
• Familiarity with the cleantech start-up ecosystem
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish, in addition to English

Compensation

Competitive compensation of $90k-110K annually plus generous benefits including, medical, dental, vision, unlimited PTO, paid holidays and 401(K)

How to Apply

NEX values and celebrates diversity among our employees and in the work we do. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer - all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, family/marital status or veteran status. To be considered, click on the "APPLY FOR THIS JOB" button at the bottom of the application page. Please submit your resume and cover letter expressing why you’re right for the role.

*Only applications including both resume and cover letter will be reviewed.