Program Manager, Climate

SecondMuse is a dedicated team committed to addressing some of the world’s most pressing concerns.  We prioritize people, boldly challenge ourselves to find solutions to complex issues, and tenaciously implement new ideas.

Over the past 15 years, we have designed, developed, and implemented new and creative approaches to solving global challenges focused on climate and wellbeing. We have partnered with over 600 organizations across innovative programs and investments that have reached more than 160 countries and territories. 

To be effective, we strive to deeply understand the problems we seek to address, co-design, and pilot solutions with our partners, clients, participants, and impacted communities. Our approach connects innovators and entrepreneurs to community resources and builds relational infrastructure with the private and public sectors to support market-driven solutions that transform systems and drive profound, lasting outcomes.

In essence, we bring communities together to build economies that benefit people and protect the planet.

The Opportunity

We believe that great talent thrives in fast-paced, high-performing, learning-oriented, and collaborative work environments. Embracing SecondMuse's core values of contributing to an open, inclusive, and joyful culture makes it easy to have our work centered around authentic relationships, which we believe are at the heart of unlocking human potential.

The Climate Group at SecondMuse is seeking a full-time Program Manager to support the delivery of our NYC-based Climate Technology and Manufacturing program: Scale For ClimateTech. Supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and administered by SecondMuse and our partners at NextCorps, Scale For Climate Tech helps fast-track the commercialization of businesses with breakthrough climate technologies and further strengthens New York state as a hub for climate solutions. The program provides climate tech hardware innovators with immersive training on manufacturing and an extensive network of mentors, experts, investors, manufacturers, suppliers, and more – all dedicated to supporting business growth and commercialization and making manufacturing easier. We are currently completing our 5th Cohort of the program and are seeking a Program Manager to support the design, development, and delivery of our 6th Cohort. Please visit our website (forclimatetech.org) for more information about the program, partners, and the innovative companies we have supported.

The Program Manager will be responsible for working with a team to successfully design and deliver the Scale For ClimateTech program and services. The role involves managing multiple projects, timelines, and resources, ensuring deliverables are met on time and within budget. The Program Manager will collaborate with the team at SecondMuse, our partners at NextCorps and NYSERDA, and our community of Advisors and Experts to (1) Design the next iteration of the program and services, applying the learnings from past program cycles; (2) Help secure partners and resources to support delivery; and (3) Manage implementation - including outreach and recruitment; selection; onboarding; and the participation of the company’s in the program. At the completion of each program cycle, the Program Manager will reflect on the program’s successes and areas for improvement and apply those learnings to ensure the continuous improvement of the program, processes, and services. The Program Manager will also support external communications for the program, and help manage relationships with stakeholders to support the program and participants and extend our understanding of the role of climate solutions in driving innovation and economic development in New York and beyond.

As a Program Manager, your role will be to ensure seamless program design, delivery, and continuous improvement across initiatives, supporting program teams, managing timelines, resources, and stakeholder relationships. You will be the glue that connects program operations, collaborating with internal and external partners to drive impact.

Core Competencies

You will embody the following core competencies which will set you up for success in this role:

• Efficient and effective program management, detail-oriented with an operational mindset, with experience managing meetings, budgets, timelines, staffing plans, contracts, and invoicing that builds seamless program operations.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, and ability to manage and collaborate across internal departments, ensuring effective program design, delivery, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple and sometimes competing priorities, timelines, and resources simultaneously, ensuring quality assurance and that deadlines are met and goals are achieved.
• Experience managing and contributing to effective online and in person events including logistics, stakeholder engagement, event design and facilitation.
• Experience in collaboration across teams and external partners, building strong relationships with program participants and key stakeholders including NYSERDA, NextCorps, Advisors, Experts, and the wider climate, tech, hardware, and startup communities.
• A proactive, highly relational, collaborative, and team-oriented approach to problem-solving and program delivery.
• Familiarity, passion, or interest in innovation and entrepreneur support programs (i.e. incubators, accelerators, commercialization programs etc.); innovative climate solutions (including climate tech and natural climate solutions); climate equity and justice; hardware and manufacturing; and New York State’s climate and economic policies, programs, and goals. 
• Experience communicating with external audiences across a variety of platforms.

Core Functions

The primary tasks and activities that you will carry out are:

• Manage program operations and support delivery of all program services for the Scale For ClimateTech program, and other initiatives of the Climate Group, as needed.
• Organize, prepare for, and facilitate internal and external meetings; develop and manage project timelines, plans, and budgets; identify, source, onboard, and manage resources for successful program delivery; develop and manage contracts and invoices; and ensure program deliverables and services are completed at a high quality, on time, and within scope and budget. 
• Gather performance feedback and impact data from past program cycles (by conducting surveys, retros, and hosting feedback sessions) and facilitate and apply learnings to increase programmatic impact and strengthen our position in the market in collaboration with the Impact Manager for North America.
• Facilitate strong collaboration across key program partners (including Implementation partners, Subject Matter Experts, Contractors, Advisors, and more) on program delivery. Anticipate and proactively solve emergent challenges in delivery.
• Lead outreach and recruitment efforts, selection processes, and onboarding for participants in the Scale For ClimateTech program, as well as other Climate Group programs, as needed.
• Engage and manage relationships with Program Advisors, Experts, and the wider climate tech and hardware communities in NYC and NY state specifically, ensuring robust mentorship and support for program participants.
• Lead event production and logistics including preparation, experience, and wrap up for programmatic events online and in person.
• Manage and liaise with internal marketing teams and external contractors to enhance visibility and awareness of the Climate Group’s work.

Core Responsibilities

The overall obligations and accountabilities that you will have within your role are:

• Manage operations and logistics for all aspects of the program lifecycle, including program planning and design; outreach, recruitment and selection; onboarding and participation of companies, subject matter experts, and partners; delivery; and post-program reflection and reporting.
• Collaborate with internal departments including finance, legal, HR, and marketing to ensure seamless and efficient delivery of the program.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, in climate, tech, startups, innovation, economic development, hardware, and manufacturing, including with program partners, participants, advisory board members, and with the climate tech hardware community and manufacturers, as needed.
• Contribute to the broader strategic goals of The Climate Group and SecondMuse in the climate, startup, and manufacturing ecosystems through excellence in delivery, highly relational and inclusive practices and methods, and impactful programs. 
• Seek out, share, and adopt best practices in program delivery from across SecondMuse for the betterment of the program and the company more broadly.

Work Environment

• This role is part of a remote, NY-based team that works on a North America schedule with bi-annual global calls with the full company. Occasional evening work may be required outside of typical business hours to accommodate program meetings, events, and other needs, as well as conversations with global SecondMuse colleagues. 
• Reports to the Senior Director of Climate; collaborates closely with the Senior VP of North America.
• Requires some periodic travel, primarily within New York State, for in-person meetings and program delivery work.

Our Commitment to Pay Equity:

This role offers an annual base salary range of $90,000-$105,000, and a comprehensive benefits package. At SecondMuse, we believe in fairness and transparency, so we have a no-negotiation policy to prevent bias and ensure wage equality. However, SecondMuse may adjust the salary based on a candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, or geographic location. All compensation information will be discussed in detail before your first team interview to ensure alignment.

Requirements

Required Education and Experience 

Experience comes in many different forms. At SecondMuse, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community of individuals with a wide range of backgrounds. As guidance, we prefer applicants to have at least six years of experience in project management and operations. Experience working with startups and entrepreneur support programs; innovation and economic development; climate solutions; climate equity and justice; tech; hardware and manufacturing; and familiarity with New York State climate and economic development goals, a plus. Proficiency with program management and collaboration tools, such as Asana, Slack, Miro, and Google Workplace are essential.

Benefits

Benefits: 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with up to 50% employer contribution
• 401(k) with employer 3% guaranteed employer contribution after 90 days
• Employer monthly mobile phone contribution
• Flexible work options
• Unlimited discretionary paid time off after the first 90 days 
• At least 12 paid holidays annually 
• Generous paid parental leave programs for all new parents
• Short-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance programs

Our Hiring Process:

Transparency and efficiency are at the center of our hiring process. Every question you’ll be asked directly relates to the skills and experiences listed in the job description. You’ll get the opportunity to share your real-world examples and explain how your background prepares you for the challenges typical at SecondMuse.

Generally, our process takes 8 weeks from application to a job offer, depending on logistics and scheduling. We aim to update finalist candidates on their status at the end of each week, ensuring you always know where your candidacy stands.

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SecondMuse provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We strongly encourage BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), women, LGBTQIA+ identifying, and people with disabilities to apply.