Program Manager, Emissions Trading Program

Department

EPIC Research

About the Department

The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) produces data-driven research that advances society’s understanding of the global energy challenge and translates research insights into real-world impact through strategic engagement with policymakers and other partners. EPIC’s faculty affiliates include world-leading researchers in energy and environmental economics, public policy, law, and business. EPIC’s work is focused on the countries most central to the global energy challenge, including India and China.

Job Summary

EPIC is seeking a Program Manager to join our team to focused on emission trading schemes (ETS). EPIC has been a pioneer in the development and launch of air pollution markets in India and is now exploring opportunities to bring emissions markets to other countries around the world. This role will be focused on identifying top opportunities for launching emission markets, building a grant funding pipeline to support this work, developing partners in national and local governments, and building the profile of this work. This role is ideal for someone with strong research and analytical skills, experience in policy analysis and government relations, ability to build partnerships, and an entrepreneurial approach to solving problems. The incumbent will be passionate about environmental policy and the mechanisms that drive measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Working with institute leadership, coordinates EPIC’s overall efforts to expand emissions trading markets to new geographic regions, including identifying opportunities, partnership development, and fundraising.
• Represents the ETS program to a variety of stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Serves as a key source of expertise by conducting detailed research on ETS policy frameworks, market development trends, and regulatory changes affecting emissions trading broadly. Monitors policy announcements, legislation, and market developments globally.
• Working with institute leadership, conceives and produces materials for government and stakeholder meetings, including briefing documents, presentations, and policy summaries.
• Develops and maintains databases of key governmental and regulatory stakeholders in ETS markets, including policymakers, NGOs, industry bodies, and regulatory agencies.
• Identifies and evaluates potential grant opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and international organizations that align with ETS and climate goals.
• Assists in developing and drafting grant proposals, including conducting research, preparing supporting data, managing grant reports and crafting narratives that communicate project impact and alignment with funder priorities.
• Contributes to post-grant reporting by assisting in the preparation of progress reports, summaries, and impact statements for funded projects.
• Supports the team in preparing for industry events, webinars, and conferences related to carbon markets and ETS, including coordinating with government representatives and industry partners.
• Ensures compliance with institutional, state and federal regulatory policies and procedures as well as internal data privacy and security policies.
• Engages stakeholders and maintain strong research partnerships with government agencies and with Principal Investigators to coordinate research and technical assistance projects, including communications and project deliverables.
• Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
• Has moderate/high levels of interactions with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in economics, statistics, computer science or related field.

Experience:

• Prior experience (internship or project work) in policy research, government relations, or environmental consulting.
• Basic understanding of ETS mechanisms, carbon pricing policies, and sustainability frameworks.
• Three or more years of related experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in quantitative analysis and data visualization, with ex