• Philadelphia, PA
• Posted 3 years ago
• Applications have closed

The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA), an independent municipal authority is a quasi-government entity, chartered by City Council and the Mayor in 2010, focused on issues of energy affordability and sustainability for Philadelphia. In 2016, in partnership with City Council President Darrell Clarke, PEA launched the Philadelphia Energy Campaign, a $1 billion, 10-year investment in energy efficiency and clean energy projects to create 10,000 jobs. Through 2019, PEA has helped launch over $136MM in projects and created 1300 jobs. We focus on municipal assets, schools, low- and moderate-income housing, small businesses and commercial and industrial projects and programs. We view energy is a high impact tool for reducing poverty, improving education, strengthening communities and leveraging public investment. PEA has grown dramatically over the last 5 years and is seeking a senior executive to support that organizational growth.

Job Title: Vice President, Strategy & Operations
Reports to: President & CEO, Emily Schapira
Number of direct reports: 2-4
Location: 1400 JFK Blvd (City Hall), Room 566, Philadelphia, PA 19107 and remote as appropriate during Covid-19.
Open Date: February 5, 2021.
Close Date: March 16, 2021. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis since PEA is seeking to hire immediately.
Exempt/Non-Exempt Status: Exempt (Full-Time)

Position Summary:
The Vice President of Strategy & Operations is a senior executive position that will work directly with the President & CEO to manage the day-to-day operations of the Authority, improve systems, reporting and processes, lead financial and budgeting activities including grants management and contracting, oversee program and project administration, marketing and communications and support strategic planning and development efforts as appropriate. The VP-S&O will manage 2-4 Program Managers, Coordinators and senior staff, as well as numerous consultants and vendors.

The VP-S&O will collaborate with the President and other staff to assess and establish new revenue and grant opportunities to continue to scale our work. In March 2021, PEA will be launching a green bank, and oversight of that transition of staff and programming will be a critical objective in this first year. Oversight of ongoing program administration includes Solarize Philly, Bright Solar Futures, the Solar Savings Grant Program, the Water and Sewer Service Line Protection Program, support for the School District of Philadelphia and City of Philadelphia projects, Adams Solar PPA, C-PACE and more. Depending on the successful candidate’s skill set, capacity and interests, some unstaffed program areas may also be assigned.

Key Success Factors:
We have a strong preference for someone with proven results-driven leadership experience and expertise in operations, management, basic financial management, and an essential understanding of and comfort with a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment. A background in energy would be helpful, and might take many forms, ranging from energy performance contracting and energy services to renewable energy, clean energy project development or finance. Experience working for or with complex organizations with multi-layered political and reporting structures will be helpful. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills are a must.

PEA seeks to make this hire as we are beginning to connect with a more global audience to bring attention and capital to where it is most needed in Philadelphia. This is a pivotal moment in our development, and we will need a strong partner for the President to meet those next steps. We seek a self-starter who is driven by results, who has demonstrated active leadership, who regularly takes on stretch experiences with gusto, who understands the needs of the growth stage of a start-up organization and who has a bias for action.

A commitment to Philadelphia and a passion for energy, sustainability, climate change, and/or poverty, equity and economic development issues are essential.

Job Responsibilities:

• Overseeing day-to-day operations of the Authority, which will include, but not be limited to: contracting, budget management, marketing and communications, public reporting, regular financial and audit management and analysis, program performance management, impact metric tracking, board meeting preparation and other operational functions.
• Working with the President & CEO on annual budgets, projections and internal communications. Leading the development of other external-facing communications including the Annual Report, educational and marketing materials, and social media. Support grants management and lead contracting processes.
• Working with the President and other staff on Development and revenue planning, support strategic planning process, developing key organizational and individual performance metrics, working with staff and consultants on public reporting.
• Assessing organizational, financial, reporting and management systems and implementing streamlined processes to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
• Leading the recruitment and management of interns and consultants as needed. Managing 2-4 full-time staff, plus multiple consultants and vendors as appropriate. Various HR oversight functions.
• Supporting the staffing and programmatic transitions associated with the launch of the green bank, providing long-term strategic support to stand up that organization.
• Other duties as assigned. This role may require some occasional evening hours (e.g. board meetings). No travel is required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors’ degree required; relevant graduate degree desired (MBA a plus).
• 7+ years of relevant work experience, in particular in management, operations or leadership.
• Prior experience building, fostering relationships with various civic, political and corporate leaders.
• Demonstrated track record of taking on and successfully completing complex projects on time and on budget. Knows how to get things done when working across multiple stakeholders and systems, how to be helpful, and how to be pleasantly persistent.
• Comfortable with appropriate professional technology: MS Office (including Excel and PowerPoint), Google suite, social media. Proficient in project planning and organizational tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, strong interpersonal and management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a busy environment managing multiple priorities, objectives, deadlines and varied political and social interests.
• Prioritizes giving and receiving feedback with regularity, comfortable with difficult conversations, experience in “managing up” and managing via influence rather than authority.
• Philadelphia residency required within 6 months of starting the position.

Salary & Benefits: Compensation will be commensurate with experience and skill set. Benefits include (but are not limited to) a generous healthcare package, retirement benefits and paid time off.

To Apply: Submit a brief, persuasive cover letter describing why you are the best fit for this position and including at least one example of a stretch experience related to leadership that you’ve taken on professionally, along with a resume to Emily Schapira, President & CEO at jobs@philaenergy.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Inquiries or clarifications are preferred to be submitted via email.

The Philadelphia Energy Authority is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not tolerate discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status.