Recruiting and Launch Services Associate

Since 1984, California Environmental Associates (CEA) has worked at the nexus of markets, policy, and science to address environmental challenges in California, the United States, and around the world. CEA has extensive experience with the California regulatory process and political landscape, coupled with an intricate knowledge of key environmental issues, including climate change, energy policy, marine conservation, sustainable agriculture, forest management, goods movement, air quality, toxic chemicals, and land-use planning. CEA offers a wide range of consulting and program development services to companies, trade associations, foundations, and international agencies.

Drawing upon 25 years of consulting experience, CEA has built a client-centered recruiting practice to identify and deliver the highest level of talent to environmental organizations, foundations, and businesses. CEA also provides launch services and real-time operational support to organizations establishing or expanding operations in the United States and internationally.

For a more in-depth description of our services and philosophy, please see our website.

Position Overview:

CEA seeks a dynamic and motivated professional to support the firm's recruiting and launch services practice. The Associate will play a lead role on the recruiting team and will be responsible for all stages of the search process, including:  business development, strategy and research, candidate management, and client relationship management. The Associate will also play a lead role in launch services work, providing operational and decision-making support to clients as they establish and expand their organizations in the US and internationally.

Working within a fast-paced, challenging, and team-oriented environment, the Associate will have the opportunity to manage a wide variety of searches for prestigious environmental organizations and progressive private sector companies.  The position requires intellectual rigor, independent thinking, expert project management abilities, demonstrated attention to detail, and a passion for environmental issues.  Excellent communication skills and client services experience are a must. This position will offer opportunities for travel and broad exposure to key players in the environmental field.

The expected start date for this position is May 2010. The position will be located in San Francisco, CA.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the project manager and client point of contact for searches, managing client relationships on a daily basis, including management of all client communications and coordination of client meetings
• Manage integrated consultant/client project teams to complete project tasks
• Lead problem structuring, work planning, issues analysis, and process planning for client engagements
• Develop targeted recruiting strategies and ensure their effective and timely execution
• Research, attract, and cultivate top-tier candidates; conduct phone screens; present candidates to clients; and develop relationships with candidate networks
• Assess client needs, conduct research, and perform qualitative and quantitative analysis to support client decision-making on recruiting and launch service issues (including legal, office-set-up, vendor, and human resources)
• Frame and draft client organizational documents such as organizational charts, board dockets, and business plans
• Support the recruiting team's communications and marketing efforts: produce summary memos, proposals and presentations; establish relationships with potential clients; and aid in the team's general outreach and networking efforts
• Provide additional management and project support to recruiting and launch service project teams as needed

Qualifications:

The successful applicant will have the following minimum qualifications:

• At least 5 years of associate-level experience in client services, experience with recruiting and organizational design preferred
• BA/BS degree or equivalent, masters degree preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with senior management and high-level business and government leaders
• Passion for environmental issues
• Exposure to international clients and industry, preferably in China and/or India
• Industry knowledge in energy efficiency, alternative fuels, clean technology, transportation, policy, or environmental finance
• Experience with multi-laterals and government institutions a plus
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral; fluency in English is required, fluency in Mandarin a plus
• Professionalism, poise and the ability to work as part of a team, maintain a sense of humor, handle sensitive matters with discretion, and interact with a diverse array of people

Compensation: CEA offers an excellent benefits package and competitive salary, commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

To be considered for this position, interested candidates should follow this link to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements.  Please indicate where you learned of this position. Inquiries received via phone call or direct email will not be eligible for review.  CEA is an equal opportunity employer.