Policy Director

About the Organization

Additional Ventures (AV) is a purpose-driven organization leveraging evidence-based research and deep subject matter expertise to make an outsized impact. We are a philanthropic organization with three initiatives: biomedical research, community and democracy, and climate action.

AV's climate initiative is focused on pathways to permanently remove hundreds of billions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere this century. We are funding R&D to create solutions that can safely remove carbon dioxide at costs consistent with gigaton scale. We are championing policies that will catalyze these solutions and we are helping to ensure that solutions are developed and deployed equitably. We are particularly focused on ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions because of their enormous potential and the relative lack of attention they receive.

About the Role

AV is seeking a Policy Director for our ocean CDR program. The Policy Director will develop and oversee a philanthropic strategy to advance policies to better understand and support promising forms of ocean carbon removal. This policy agenda will likely need to encompass both domestic and international elements. Relevant policy supports may include government funding of R&D, regulatory frameworks for responsible research/deployment, and “demand” for carbon removal via direct governmental procurement or other means. Tactics you will fund may include policy development; communications and public opinion research; engaging key outside groups and constituencies to inform and support the agenda; policy advocacy campaigns; technical assistance to ensure successful policy implementation; and building a leadership pipeline of experts and advocates.

The Policy Director’s strategy should prioritize not only the speed at which ocean CDR can scale, but how it scales and the character of the industry—e.g., how equity and environmental considerations figure into carbon removal research and deployment and how these efforts can earn and maintain public trust.

The Policy Director will report directly to Sasha Post, Program Director for Climate and Democracy.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee a longer-term philanthropic strategy to advance policies to better understand and support ocean carbon removal—develop a road map, plan and deploy funds, identify gaps and needs in the field, and build new projects and entities as needed.
• Keep abreast of current policy discussions, technologies, organizations, trends, and research in the field.
• Identify opportunities to support and engage with other Additional Ventures Programs, especially the recently launched Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement R&D Program.
• Work collaboratively and closely with scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, advocates, other philanthropic funders, and internal team members.
• Engage other philanthropic funders around your strategy and cultivate new partnerships to align more resources with your strategy.
• Communicate updates to stakeholders via clear and compelling deliverables (e.g., memos and decks).

Desired Qualifications

While each employee at AV brings different skills and experiences to their work, desired skills and experiences include the following:

• Significant ocean & climate/environmental policy experience, which could include experience with advocacy groups, government offices, philanthropies, academic or research institutions, strategy consulting firms, or other relevant organizations.
• Strong writing skills across different mediums and for different audiences. Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience engaging disparate groups of stakeholders to build successful policy campaigns or other coalitions. 
• Experience working with and navigating key political channels, domestic and international.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and interact with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g., scientists, policymakers, advocates, and industry representatives) with diplomacy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to operate independently and balance multiple priorities in a fluid and fast-paced start-up environment with high levels of ambiguity.

Compensation and Location

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with skills and experience. The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $175,000.

This position will be remote. However, only candidates legally authorized to work in the United States can be considered. Occasional travel expected.

To Apply

CEA Recruiting is assisting Additional Ventures with this search. To be considered for this position, interested candidates must follow the link below to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements through CEA’s job portal. Please direct all applications and inquiries to Micah Day, Senior Consultant (micah@ceaconsulting.com). This position will remain open until filled.

Additional Ventures is an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce, especially candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

Additional Ventures is comprised of multiple entities that make grants and/or investments in service of our mission to shape a healthier, more equitable world, including Additional Ventures Foundation, Additional Ventures LLC, and a donor-advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit www.cearecruiting.com.