Program Manager, California

ABOUT U.S. ENERGY FOUNDATION

U.S. Energy Foundation’s (EF) mission is to secure a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. We envision a healthy, safe, equitable economy powered by clean energy. We believe a thriving clean energy economy can create sustainable opportunities, spur innovation, and protect our climate—for today and future generations.

EF supports education and analysis to promote non-partisan policy solutions that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency while opening doors to greater innovation and productivity—growing the economy with dramatically less pollution. For more than 30 years, EF has supported grantees to help educate policymakers and the general public about the benefits of a clean energy economy. Our grantees include business, health, environmental, labor, equity, community, faith, and consumer groups, as well as policy experts, think tanks, universities, and more.

At EF, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are top organizational commitments. We are working daily to uproot racism and other forms of oppression and create equitable systems that support people to flourish. We aim to bring humility, transparency, respect, and an appreciation for others’ lived experiences to our interactions with colleagues, grantees, and partners.

EF’s Fundraising Philosophy

As EF’s primary clients/partners are our funders and grantees, EF commits to acting as a strategic partner and thought leader for our current and prospective funding partners and the field by:

1. Collaborating—and co-creating, where feasible and desired—on strategy development, including the hosting and/or managing of funder collaboratives
2. Highlighting the opportunity for climate philanthropy to maximize benefits to disadvantaged communities and those most impacted by climate change
3. Offering excellent, responsive service by providing proactive, compelling, and timely updates and information

EF is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, and our more than 100 staff members are based in locations throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Western regions, where they can best serve our programs, partners, operations, and other functions.

POSITION SUMMARY

Over the past two decades, the EF team has supported and coordinated sophisticated and effective networks of grantees and allies who share the vision of a prosperous and healthy future powered by clean, reliable, affordable, and safe sources of energy. Through these deep-rooted partnerships, EF has made progress in the largest and fastest-growing energy markets in the world.

The primary responsibilities of the Program Manager, California (CA PM), include managing the day-to-day execution of our CA grantmaking and projects, while ensuring alignment with overall program strategy and goals. Using strong organizational, analytical, and communications skills, the person in this position is expected to manage the workflow of the CA grantmaking program and to improve collaboration within the region.

Embodying EF’s values of community, equity, learning, service, and transformational impact, the CA PM also will help strengthen the West team. This involves generating and implementing ideas for systems, program, and operational improvement; collaborating closely with peers and colleagues; and contributing to a positive working environment.

EF actively prioritizes and seeks to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and through our work. We encourage people of color and candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage CA budget, projects, and plans, ensuring milestones are met and deadlines are reached.
• Lead grantmaking for the CA portfolio to align with strategic plans, state priorities, and team values. Working with the CA State Director, design a portfolio of grantees to execute on the goals of the CA Program.
• Manage and continually evaluate grants, contracts, and projects within CA.
• Collaborate closely with the West Program Associates to offer the highest quality grantee engagement throughout the year, ensure timely responses and clear feedback on proposals, and develop a deep understanding of grantees’ own priorities, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Work directly with West team leadership and CA consultants to develop and track program strategic objectives and activities for broader communication.
• Synthesize and analyze CA strategies and activities for broader communication. This may include consolidating reports or preparing visual presentations on behalf of the team.
• Draft funder communications and board dockets on behalf of the team, working with the EF Strategic Partnerships team and the West team.
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