Senior Program Leader, Energy Program

One of the nation's oldest and most respected conservation organizations, Manomet is a 42-year-old research center dedicated to creating a more sustainable world through unbiased science and collaboration. Manomet convenes relevant stakeholders and decision makers to evaluate and consider current scientific knowledge in relation to their own goals and values. Manomet is skilled at building partnerships based on trust that leads to action. In all its programs, Manomet uses science and civil conversation, rather than polarizing advocacy, to create a more sustainable world. Manomet has programs in climate change adaptation, species conservation, agriculture sustainability, and market models for conserving critical ecosystem services.

Manomet offers an entrepreneurial atmosphere of 35 dedicated professionals who support each other in a common vision of creating a more sustainable planet. Its headquarters is located on a bluff overlooking beautiful Cape Cod Bay, about 40 miles south of Boston. Manomet also has offices in Maine, Vermont, and Chile.

Position Overview:

Would you like to build a program that advances socially, economically, and environmentally acceptable renewable energy in New England, and beyond? The Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences has an immediate opening for a talented Senior Program Leader (SPL) to create and lead a renewable energy program. Manomet is one of the nation's oldest independent sustainability research centers, based in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Brunswick, Maine.

Manomet views climate change as a major threat to humans and the natural world. Manomet is committed to playing a leadership role in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating development of socially, economically, and environmentally appropriate renewable energy. Manomet seeks a Senior Program Leader to create and grow a renewable energy program. Manomet's reputation in the energy sector grew to an international scale in 2010 with a groundbreaking study that showed greenhouse gas emissions actually increase for a period of time when switching to woody biomass from fossil fuels.

Accelerating the development of renewable energy is critical to mitigating climate change. However, such development is constrained by social, economic, and environmental issues. Manomet's strategy is to work to overcome these varied obstacles through a program of science and civil conversation.

Manomet is seeking an ambitious, visionary Senior Program Leader who understands these goals and obstacles, especially in wind energy. We seek an innovative, entrepreneurial individual interested in growing their own professional career in the field of green energy and/or energy conservation. This position will report directly to the President.

Currently, the Energy Initiative has several ongoing projects to be completed while expanding the program, including (1) developing a guidebook to help community officials draft effective, science-based wind energy regulations, and (2) creating a long-term post-construction wildlife mortality monitoring program (with ecologists on staff). We also hope to study the sound emissions of wind turbines. The SPL will be expected to continue these programs and develop new ideas for using science and collaboration to facilitate the wind energy discussions.

The SPL will also be responsible for growing a broader program in energy at Manomet. Subject areas could include energy conservation, biomass energy, life-cycle analysis, and any other aspect of energy science and/or policy. This position presents a great opportunity to create and grow a career in green energy and energy conservation at a solid and respected research institution.

Responsibilities:

• Be a visionary in renewable energy; represent Manomet as a thought leader.
• Create and execute a 5-year strategic plan for building a renewable energy program, consistent with Manomet's approach to problem solving, and the SPL's expertise and vision.
• Create and implement annual work plans and budgets.
• Identify situations where science and civil conversation are needed to reconcile renewable energy projects or issues.
• With staff ecologists, grow a long-term wildlife impacts monitoring program and expand the work to additional sites throughout New England.
• Fundraise from foundations and donors to build an innovative renewable energy program.
• Work closely with partners from across the ideological spectrum to support the development of appropriate wind (and other) energy projects.
• Build and maintain a wide and strong network of relationships with policy makers, scientists, stakeholders, business leaders, opinion leaders, and others, to advance Manomet's mission.
• Maintain a cutting-edge understanding of the renewable energy sector, especially wind energy.
• Represent Manomet at regional, national, and/or international meetings.
• Work with other program staff to share lessons learned across the institution.
• Develop and maintain excellent relationships with the Manomet Board and Councilors; participate in special Board and donor events to develop a sense of "accessibility and participation" between board members, donors, and Senior Program Leaders.

Qualifications:

• Direct experience with wind power development.
• At least 4 years of experience working with communities or government officials to understand or mitigate the issues surrounding wind power development.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated track record of successful collaboration.
• A graduate degree or certificate in a field related to energy technology, policy, and/or science.
• Broad knowledge of energy issues, from both the science and policy perspectives.
• Extremely motivated, with a clear vision on how to grow socially acceptable renewable energy.
• Exceptional skill at respecting diverse opinions, even unfounded ones.
• A demonstrated leader; innovative thinker.

Compensation: Manomet offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive package of benefits. Manomet is an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply:

Please email a letter of interest and your resume to Martha Sheldon, Executive Assistant. Please reference the job title in the subject line. The position is available immediately and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible.