Residential Electricity Manager

Groundswell's mission is to unlock communities' shared economic power to grow sustainability and expand prosperity on the local level.

Groundswell increases community investment in clean energy to create local economic opportunity. We organize neighborhood associations, faith institutions and community nonprofits to create group purchases of clean energy and efficiency upgrades.

We ensure those investments expand local economic opportunity through business development, ensuring workers receive access to benefits and are paid family-supporting wages, and strengthening mission-driven institutions that serve their communities.

Groundswell's work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, GOOD Magazine and FastCompany. In 2011, Groundswell was selected as a Clinton Global Initiative America commitment maker for our model to promote clean energy economic opportunity in communities across the U.S.

For more information visit groundswell.org

Position Overview:

The Residential Electricity Manager co-creates and directs the implementation of Groundswell's residential electricity program. In this program, Groundswell aggregates residents to purchase clean electricity as a group to increase clean energy access and affordability while ensuring social benefits return to communities.

The manager will develop program plans while building partnerships for short- and long-term success of the program. Aside from program strategy and management, the person in this position assists the facilitation of the competitive bidding process with electricity suppliers. The manager will also develop communication and program materials with an understanding of the energy market and in collaboration with program partners and Groundswell's communications team.

This position will supervise residential electricity program staff - Coordinators, Fellows, and Interns - who recruit program participants and lead the competitive bids. You'll also work closely with the Commercial Electricity Manager and Residential Efficiency Manager and will report to the Director of Residential Programs.

The position will provide valuable experience for individuals interested in pursuing work in social entrepreneurship, business development, marketing, management, movement building, the non-profit sector, politics and campaigns, and building the clean energy economy.

The Residential Electricity Manager will need to be experienced and will have support in understanding the essential tools, processes, and strategies of effective management, program planning, electricity & energy service markets, and partnership development with a fast-growing non-profit.

This is a full-time position with performance reviews every 6 months. This person in this position will be located at Groundswell's main office in DC, but the nature of the work requires infrequent travel in Maryland and eventually in other states.

Responsibilities:

Program Strategy & Planning (30%) 

• Co-create and oversee successful implementation of our residential electricity program plans.
• Evaluate program and bid effectiveness and proactively provide solutions to barriers.
• Collaborate with Groundswell's Commercial Electricity Program and Departments. 

Staff Management (30%) 

• Hire, train, and manage program staff ensuring program success with accountability to goals.
• Foster personal and professional development among staff at an individual and team level. 

Partnerships & Training (25%)

• Build on existing relationships and assist to formalize partnerships with engagement organizations to enlist their support in residential clean energy efforts and explore opportunities for market expansion.
• Create and oversee successful implementation of training for partners, program staff & others. 

Residential Electricity Project Implementation (15%) 

• Research electricity & energy service markets.
• Develop relationships with energy suppliers who will participate in competitive bids.
• Support facilitation of the competitive bid process with suppliers and legal counsel. 

Qualifications: 

• Groundswell is looking for applicants who have a bold vision for creating structural change in our society, a strong curiosity in people and new ideas, and a demonstrated ability to act strategically and motivate others.
• The candidate should also be motivated as much by strong ambition and desire to succeed as they are by strong values and a desire to create deep social impact. 

An ideal candidate will have the following qualifications, skills and experience: 

• Demonstrated passion and experience working on issues related to community-based economic development or energy service-related initiatives.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple partners and stakeholders.
• Staff management experience of at least one year.
• Program management experience of at least one year.
• Self-directed, resourceful, balanced, and transparent.
• Dynamic and flexible team member and leader who can motivate and foster interdependence.
• Proactive and detail oriented with big picture thinking and creativity.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of electricity and energy service markets.
• Driver's license.

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include 403(b) retirement and matching, health, dental, and vision insurance, and 15 paid vacation days per year (starting).

Groundswell averages 14-16 paid company holidays (including all federal holidays and a week during winter holidays), adheres to a 37.5 hour work week with a compensatory time policy for over-time work, and, when job responsibilities allow, periodic flexibility in work schedule and location.

To Apply: 

Please use this link to apply online: bit.ly/groundswell-jobs

Required Application Materials Include:

• Resume 
• Cover letter 
• Name, Contact Info, and Nature of Relationship for three references. One from a current or previous manager and another from someone you currently or previously managed. 

Use your application materials to explain your interest in Groundswell and its mission and model. Please highlight in your cover letter your management experience, demonstrated leadership. Your cover letter should explain the skills, experience, and interests that qualify you to fulfill the responsibilities outlined above.