Operations Manager, Greenhouse Gas Protocol

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in our Washington DC office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is the world’s leading authority and international standard setter on corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting. Building on a 20-year partnership between World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), GHG Protocol works with governments, industry associations, NGOs, businesses, and other organizations. In 2016, 92% of Fortune 500 companies responding to the CDP used GHG Protocol to account for their emissions. The GHG Protocol also provides standards, tools, and online training to help countries and cities track progress towards their climate goals.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to Deputy Global Operations Manager, you will serve as head of GHG Protocol’s financial management, operations, and administration, working with program leadership to build and maintain a nimble operational and administrative infrastructure that maximizes resources dedicated to the highest-impact program work. With the support of one or more Grants and Finance Specialist(s), you will oversee and improve operational infrastructure and systems that enable GHG Protocol to advance programmatically. You will ensure the effective implementation of new and existing systems and policies that ensure sound financial decision making, maintain compliance, improve funding pipelines, maintain a diverse and talented team, and maximize the impact of the WRI’s work. You will be based in a WRI office with potential availability to work-from-home several days each week.

What will you do:

Budget and Financial Management (35%):

• Oversee GHG Protocol budgets, including monitoring expenses and revenue of grants and contracts managed by Grants & Finance Specialist(s), and advising Directors and Project Managers on budget planning, decision-making, staffing, and risk mitigation across all project work
• Develop and implement systems and approaches to more efficiently manage the GHG Protocol finances, including improved systems for communicating budget and labor data to directors, project managers, and staff
• Provide oversight & approvals of internal expenses and processes, including contracts, timesheets, and payment requests as appropriate
• Train and assist Grants and Finance Specialists with expense reports, invoicing, and other transactions
• Ensure the GHG Protocol complies with WRI financial management requirements and best practices
• Represent the GHG Protocol in all finance and operations-related meetings

Grants and Contracts Management (35%):

• Collaborate with Development Manager by identifying fundraising needs and supporting project and program fundraising efforts
• Develop project and cross-program funding proposals in collaboration with project managers and pillar directors with support from Grants & Finance Specialist(s); design proposal budgets in line with project needs and accordance with funder requirements
• Ensure compliance with funder agreements across GHG Protocol and support timely communication with funders to maintain compliance and negotiate grant terms that maximize resources dedicated to project implementation
• Oversee procurement activities across GHG Protocol, ensuring compliance with WRI policies and guiding project managers in procurement decisions, leading competitive bid processes, preparing contract and subgrant documentation, and overseeing the payment and compliance of sub-contracted funds and deliverables

Program Operations, Team Management, and Administration (30%):

• Lead GHG Protocol administration and operations, working with Directors to manage policies, systems, and resources to achieve highest-impact program work
• Support Directors in staff planning and recruitment; help maintain a diverse and talented team of experts to deliver high-impact research, including communicating with HR and GHG Protocol leadership to finalize promotions and merit review recommendations
• Support GHG Protocol leadership in developing, communicating, and implementing program policies to improve operations and working with WRI’s central operations teams to tailor policies
• Support improved internal communications to increase coordination between project teams, improve systems for information and file sharing, improve compliance with key policies, and promote a team ethos in a hybrid work environment
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of program-wide events, such as annual retreats and teambuilding convenings
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