Senior Planning Associate

~ Philanthropy has a critical role to play in solving the climate crisis. ClimateWorks Foundation (CWF) is a global non-governmental organization that helps leading funders come together to be more strategic, efficient, and effective in their response to global climate change. ~ 

We offer a suite of services:

• Provide Research & Insights: We aggregate, synthesize, and present emissions data and political, social, technical, and economic analyses in a way that offers insights for climate philanthropy. These insights help funders prioritize opportunities to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, develop strategies that are robust under different future scenarios, adapt strategies to changing conditions, and track progress towards climate goals.

• Develop Strategies & Portfolios of Philanthropic Investments: We collaborate with partners globally to develop portfolios of philanthropic investments designed to achieve large-scale greenhouse gas emissions reductions. With our partners, we evaluate insights from a wide range of sources, develop informed strategies, and cluster strategies into diversified, high-impact portfolios for philanthropic investment. We then monitor progress and apply candid assessments to drive learning and improvement.

• Facilitate Funder Collaboration & Coordination: We facilitate collaboration among influential philanthropic funders-creating opportunities for them to interact with their peers, compare strategies, generate ideas, and coordinate investments that target the biggest drivers of global climate change.

• Fund Climate Change Initiatives: We make strategic grants that support select transnational initiatives and organizations addressing climate change in critical parts of the world.

• Marshal Philanthropic Resources: We help increase the number of foundations working to address climate change and grow the overall size of philanthropic investment directed towards climate action. Central to this effort is our work with funders to help them evaluate investment opportunities that are aligned with their interests and priorities, and to connect them to like-minded peers.

As experts in climate science, public policy, economic and social analysis, and strategic philanthropy, our staff understands the multi-faceted challenges and opportunities of climate change. We are researchers, strategists, collaborators, organizers, and grant-makers who care passionately about our mission. Click here to learn more about Climateworks.  

Position Overview 

ClimateWorks Foundation seeks a Senior Planning Associate to manage and maintain the business information systems that support coordination, decision-making, and information exchange across ClimateWorks' network of partners.

In this capacity, the Senior Planning Associate provides training and user engagement services for ClimateWorks core platforms and provides support for business processes and data integration across multiple organizations. The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, a strategic mind, and demonstrated experience with quality control of data.

The Strategic Planning Department plays a central role in ClimateWorks by developing and supporting the business processes for planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and providing the organization's internal team and its external partners with data and insights to inform strategy and investment decisions.

The Senior Planning Associate reports to the Director of Strategic Planning and works in close partnership with the programs team, ClimateWorks senior staff, funders, grantees, and other partners in our shared goal of reducing carbon emissions in the most efficient manner possible.

This position will be located in San Francisco, CA.  

Responsibilities

The Senior Planning Associate will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

• Manage the development and maintenance of the business information systems that fulfill strategic needs of the organization, including a custom Salesforce platform. Duties include:

• Drive a high level of user engagement
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of data
• Ensure continuity of business processes across multiple organizations
• Oversee contractors
• Maintain security protocols

• In close coordination with the Director of Information Technology, manage the implementation of platform upgrades and new features, including change management.
• Support the design and implementation of reporting processes and ensure that management and other stakeholders have timely reporting on progress, lessons, and insights.
• Lead the design and implementation of data integration protocols internally and across multiple organizations, and ensure that stakeholders have timely information on strategies and grantmaking.
• Manage user interactions with the database through production of custom queries and reports.
• Train ClimateWorks and network partner staff on data and information systems, drive user engagement, and provide ongoing technical and process support to system users.
• Communicate planning and reporting guidance to partners and grantees.
• Produce high-quality materials on short deadlines.
• Perform quality control of data and information.
• Correspond via phone, meetings, and/or email with colleagues and vendors. 

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications:

• Five years of experience as a business analyst, database/engagement manager, or similar role.
• BS or BA degree or equivalent (business systems, computer science, environmental science and/or policy coursework helpful).
• Demonstrated success in project management, project management certification preferred. 
• Experience maintaining business systems and databases, Salesforce administrative experience strongly preferred.
• Meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills, previous experience maintaining complex data.
• Competence in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Previous experience in user training and change management.
• Previous experience on software implementation teams preferred.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision. 
• Ability to work under pressure and manage shifting priorities.
• Good personal and interpersonal communications skills.
• Commitment to the mission and values of ClimateWorks Foundation.

Compensation: ClimateWorks Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. 

To Apply 

• To be considered for this position, please click:"Apply Here!" then follow the link below to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements.
• CEA Recruiting is assisting ClimateWorks Foundation with this search. Please direct all applications and inquiries to CEA Recruiting.
• This position will remain open until filled. 

~ClimateWorks Foundation is an equal opportunity employer ~

CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. Click here for more information about CEA.