Initiative Director, Japan

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Initiative Director, Japan will lead strategic grantmaking to achieve policy wins that help Japan meet its climate goals. This role will work with Climate Imperative’s leadership team to align the strategy with the organization’s values and theory of change. The individual will also work with a diverse group of partners, from grassroots advocates to high-level policymakers and aligned philanthropies, both within Japan and with its trading partners. 

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategy 

• Identify the near-term opportunities to support policymakers and advocates in Japan to accelerate an ambitious and affordable clean energy transition 
• Assess whether there are opportunities to inspire bolder ambition in Japan  
• Draw on successes and setbacks from efforts in other geographies to help inform the strategy in Japan
• Share lessons learned from Japan’s experience with partners in other geographies 

Campaign Coordination & Coalition-Building 

• In collaboration with potential and existing grantees and other stakeholders, determine how to rapidly accelerate the clean energy transition in Japan 
• Ensure that justice and equity and an economic transition strategy for affected workers are carefully considered in the design, implementation, and impact of the initiative
• Build a concise and metric-driven campaign strategy to win, in consultation with partners
• Ensure we and our partners have a clear understanding of how to win in each decision-making venue  

 Grantmaking & Convening 

• Develop a strong understanding of existing philanthropic investments in Japan, including funder priorities and the grantee landscape
• Identify the grantees who can execute the initiative strategy, and develop a portfolio of grants so they can lead this initiative to success
• Regularly convene grantee and funding partners to ensure strong coordination, track progress, repair problems, expand, contract or phase down elements of the initiative, as necessary
• Report, without bias, on progress and stalls to the Board of Directors
• Serve as a thought leader to the broader philanthropic and NGO community on strategy and grantmaking
• Lead on the grantee relationship through regular check-ins  
• Serve as a leader and resource for other Climate Imperative staff  

Required Skills & Experience 

• 10+ years of experience leading initiatives to achieve policy change at a broad scale in geographies including Japan
• Strong preference for candidates who are based in Japan with the ability to work locally
• Global philanthropic or grantmaking experience  
• Expertise in the clean energy landscape and the global fossil fuel industry 
• Strong knowledge of the policy landscape in Japan and a working understanding of its main trading partners and regional dynamics
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Managerial skills to oversee progress across a diverse set of grantees, meeting grantmaking goals, timelines, and other benchmarks
• Develop strategies that consider and synthesize multiple perspectives into a coherent big-picture strategy and workable plan
• Ability to track regional efforts and see opportunities for leverage and scaled impact
• A deep commitment to equity and inclusion reflected in prior campaigns
• Ability to engage and inspire others while effectively communicating complex ideas and information verbally and in writing
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally
• Deep interest, passion, and commitment to reducing climate change
• Ability to prioritize and be flexible in a fast-paced, constantly evolving, and collaborative environment 
• Bilingual in English and Japanese, with strong communication skills; both written and spoken, in both languages

SALARY 

We provide a salary commensurate