With world attention on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. By focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. We are one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of approximately 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. We operate in 22 geographies with unique projects running across four programs. You will be part of a vibrant workplace where innovation and results are a way of life.

EDF envisions a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. We seek talented candidates who share our Core Values of Respect, Results, Innovation, Optimism, and Integrity, and support our Commitment to Diversity.  

The Office of Chief Scientist (OCS) is the nexus of science at EDF, ensuring that the scientific backbone for all EDF policy positions is based on the best available information. To be effective in this role, OCS works with staff from across EDF and provides programmatic support for all EDF scientists as well as fosters relationships with scientists in academia, government and industry.

OCS staff work with EDF’s Global Clean Air project to advance unique and innovative ways to collect, assess, and disseminate air quality information using new and, often, still developing technologies and methods. The project is multifaceted and spans across several EDF functions including science, policy, and health.

Overall Function

The Manager, Global Clean Air will oversee development and implementation of key aspects of OCS projects and foster collaboration with scientific researchers, NGO’s, agencies, and corporate partners. For the Global Clean Air initiative, the Manager will lead cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams to collect, analyze, interpret, and ultimately disseminate scientifically robust air quality information. Under the leadership of the Associate Vice President in the Office of Chief Scientist, this position uses experience and knowledge to independently guide and manage air quality research and policy projects in a variety of locations around the world and effectively identify and build relationship with key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage complex science-based projects that touch multiple EDF programs, create project workplans, and ensure that varied teams stay on track to meet deliverables and objectives; develop and apply appropriate means for measuring project success; work with program financial analysts to track project budget.
• Manage relationships and write and negotiate agreements and scopes of work with technical vendors, academic partners, and corporate partners.
• Support hiring new team members, including working with HR to post, recruit, and evaluate candidates.
• Independently troubleshoot problems where precedents are not always available using an original arrangement or interpretation of complex information or activities to arrive at logical conclusions
• Identify and develop relationships with key stakeholders in regulatory, academic, and non-profit sectors with the goal of fostering relationships, gathering information, developing project ideas, recruiting partners, and advancing the overall strategic vision of the project through partnerships and collaboration.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary teams comprised of staff from various internal programs and external organizations, with members across multiple time zones, including internationally. Set up and lead group meetings.
• Serve as EDF representative in external settings such as conferences, workshops, and partnerships.
• Communicate project goals and results to EDF leadership and staff, donors, companies, policymakers, environmental groups, the media and the public through reports and other methods.
• Translate program and project needs into actionable items to advance program decision-making and liaise with programs to facilitate information sharing, identify synergies, and improve collaboration.
• Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values. This includes fostering equitable systems and empowering diverse constituencies both internally and externally.
• Be an integral team player in the development of a vibrant and entrepreneurial program by supporting fundraising efforts, evaluating, and recommending new project ideas, and other relevant activities.
• Be a part of the Office of Chief Scientist’s growing project management and operations team.
• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least six (6) years program or related experience, or advanced degree with at least four (4) years of direct experience required.  Experience or education related to air quality management, air pollution science, or environmental health a plus
• Experience in project management and exceptional personal organization and attention to detail required
• Independent judgment required to plan, prioritize, and organize a diverse workload
• Experience balancing the needs of multiple diverse stakeholders including regulators and community organizations
• Strong ability to work on multiple projects concurrently, both independently and as a member of multi-disciplinary teams in a dynamic, fast-paced, and creative environment
• Strong analytical skills and experience performing rigorous analysis in support of highly visible work
• Ability to communicate complex and technical subject matter both in writing and orally
• Strong oral presentation skills for both small and large audiences
• A high level of strategic thinking is required to synthesize complex information to identify and deploy action plans
• Possess a high degree of diplomacy to influence and manage key stakeholders and teams
• Demonstrated ability to independently recommend and determine approaches to completing projects and managing processes where precedents are not always available
• Ability to effectively communicate scientific information in an advocacy setting both to internal and external audiences
• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with and lead colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Willingness to travel