Principal, Impact Advocacy

Accepting applications until November 14, 2024 at 7pm ET

About WattTime & Climate TRACE

WattTime is a non-profit tech start-up. We conduct and coordinate original research into emissions datasets with the potential to rapidly drive emissions reductions at scale, then help implement those reductions. Our best-known innovation is Automated Emissions Reduction (AER), used by over 600 million devices daily (e.g., Nest thermostats, U.S. iPhones, Toyota EVs) to cut their carbon footprints by using energy when the grid is cleanest. We also develop and share other techniques, like Emissionality, to multiply the impact of renewable energy projects.

WattTime is also the secretariat of Climate TRACE, a joint initiative of over 100 nonprofits, tech companies, universities, and individual researchers pooling their expertise in AI, remote sensing, and emissions data to collectively build a highly advanced comprehensive open source global greenhouse gas measurement system.

Members of the Climate TRACE coalition, which includes former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, apply machine learning to satellite imagery to “trace” all greenhouse gasses around the world to their individual sources. In November 2022, the coalition completed the MVP which was unveiled by the Secretary General of the United Nations at the COP27 international climate negotiations. Now cities, states, and even country governments are signing up to use the tool to inform and accelerate their decarbonization strategies. To support this demand, the coalition is further building out the Partnerships team. This unique role will involve supporting governments and companies around the world in decarbonizing with the speed only cutting edge technology and collaboration makes possible. 

About the Role

As a Principal of Impact Advocacy you will support Climate TRACE and WattTime’s work engaging with global institutions and coalitions to influence the adoption of emissions-based decision making at scale–we call this the Impact Framework. You will work with the WattTime Partnerships and Analysis teams, counterparts from Climate TRACE coalition members, and other WattTime leaders. 

Here’s an example: did you know the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s primary objective is NOT decarbonization? By participating in discussions and feedback sessions, and building relationships with stakeholders in the space, we hope decarbonization will become a consideration within the GHGP. As with our work with the GHGP, you will build relationships with international organizations such as C40, the United Nations, the World Meteorological Organization, etc., resulting in these organizations becoming evangelists of using this data to reduce emissions and improve human health. You’ll leverage your experience as a relationship and project management professional to shape public debate, qualify the opportunities for impact, raise and face the hard questions, and provide input in stakeholder discussions aimed at catalyzing policy-based impact.

To succeed in this role, you must be a stellar listener and communicator, and passionate about your craft. You must have a bias for action and collaboration, and be invested in team success. You operate with a growth mindset, an entrepreneurial attitude, and the desire and ability to work in a start-up environment. You operate as part of a team but can manage your workload independently with a strong focus on effective time management and responsiveness. Perhaps most importantly, you value WattTime’s mission to give everyone everywhere the power to choose cleaner energy, suppliers, and assets. 

Responsibilities

• Leverage WattTime and Climate TRACE emissions data to drive impactful changes to standards, regulation, and legislation 

• Prioritize and make the case for internal consulting or analysis resources (e.g. impact assessments, avoided emissions analysis, case studies) 

• Build confidence and credibility in Climate TRACE and WattTime, including trust to join coalitions, discussions, and feedback sessions

• Generate new partnerships: conduct qualification calls, seek new relationships, overcome objections with diverse stakeholders, and maintain details of opportunities and relationships in the organization’s CRM

• Operate efficiently: use the Sandler sales method, accurately evaluate and prioritize prospects and predicted impact, quickly identify when an opportunity doesn’t meet a high bar for impact

• Grow existing partnerships: technical check-ins, impact metrics, marketing planning, etc. 

• Support triage of inbound messages from Climate TRACE users and prioritize actions with the greatest impact potential

• Coordinate mission, strategy, and specific partnership approaches with Partnerships Managers across WattTime and Climate TRACE

• Collaborate with team members to accurately articulate solutions, set project expectations, and manage resource capacity. Use best practices to ensure a consistent, positive partner experience, data-driven business development strategy, and positive team culture

• Contribute to and enhance partnerships resources: pitch presentations, proposal templates, etc.

• Engage external parties through direct meetings, conference attendance, and speaking engagements

• Travel to customer locations and team collaborative sessions as needed

Qualifications 

Above all, the person hired for this position should be committed to driving positive impact in the world. All candidates should have proven experience that includes: 

Role Qualifications

• Proven success in influencing decision-makers and driving impactful changes to industry-leading standards

• Experience in public policy, international relations, and/or government sectors 

• 5+ years of experience with complex relationship and/or project management (multiple stakeholders, outcomes-focused work)

• Ability to carry on a business conversation with business owners and decision makers

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

• Ability to understand product development and business operations decision cycles

• Experience in the energy, technology, and/or climate solutions sectors is highly valued

• BA or BS degree. Bonus: graduate degree in technical or policy field

General Qualifications

• Ability to manage ambiguity, be flexible, and work in a fast-moving environment

• Experience or interest in working within a tech start-up, evolving as the organization grows

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and data quality, time management, and ability to manage ambiguity

• Highly motivated, collaborative, action-oriented, confident, kind, and respectful

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to lead and to take direction

• Creativity, the ability to think outside the box, and an openness to feedback

• Ability to work effectively from a remote environment across regular U.S. work hours through tools like Slack, Zoom, GSuite, and others
  
  

How We Measure Success at WattTime

• Productivity: hard work, efficiency, completing ambitious deadlines on time

• Quality: producing high quality work, proactivity, use of specialized skills 

• Doing the work: on-task, flexibility, prioritizing whatever climate impact requires

• Judgment: critical thinking, clear communication, anticipating problems, impact-focused decision-making

• Helping others: collaboration, active listening, respect, giving/receiving feedback, self-awareness
  
  

Logistics

• This is a full time, remote position - work from anywhere in the U.S. 

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. 

• For those authorized and located in the U.S., WattTime is open to U.S. visa sponsorship. As an H-1B cap-exempt, nonprofit research organization, WattTime can sponsor employees for H-1B status throughout the year.

• Salary: $130,000-$145,000 based on where you can hit the ground running

Application Process

• Resume screening 

• Initial phone screening

• Technical interview #1

• Skills assessment to see your work in action

• Technical interview #2

• Final round interviews including with the team at large

• Reference checks and offer
  
  

Why Work with WattTime

• Competitive salary

• Full medical, dental, vision, life insurance packages for employees and 80% coverage for dependents

• Paid parental leave 

• Flexible time off 

• Professional development support 

• Home office support and employee choice technology 

• 403b with up to 5% matching contribution

• Opportunity to work for a tech nonprofit focused on driving real impact 

What we’re like: we’re obsessed with making practical, results-driven change. We believe nothing has more potential for fast, world-changing impact than software. We embrace change. We are lean and rapid prototypers. We never confuse growth with impact. We are all personally, fiercely committed to our mission. We are quietly radical in unexpected ways. We don’t believe in competition–other people doing good work are allies. Our deep bench of expert volunteers helps us routinely punch above our weight class. We trust in data and everyone’s voice being heard. We know diversity is central to success. We consider respect non-negotiable; there are no jerks here.

How to Apply

You can apply for this position on our website at www.WattTime.org. From the “About” tab, select the “Careers” page, then select the job for which you want to apply.  

Please attach your resume and cover letter.

Equal Opportunity Policy 

WattTime is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital status, family care status, age, appearance, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental ability, medical condition, military or veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or characteristics or any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local laws. We encourage all individuals to apply and are committed to a diverse workplace where every person is treated with respect and dignity. 

WattTime is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, WattTime will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed for the application process described above, please contact Julie Tompkins at julie.tompkins@watttime.org.