Senior Associate (m/w/d)

Job Description

The Clean Fight is a not-for-profit dedicated to rapidly scaling climate solutions in New York State and beyond. Many of the technologies needed to address the climate crisis already exist-our mission is to ensure they are adopted quickly, equitably, and at scale. We design and implement models of adoption that identify actionable strategies for accelerating decarbonization, while supporting startups with tailored resources, customer and capital partner connections, and non-dilutive funding to drive deployments.

The Clean Fight's practice primarily covers building decarbonization and energy storage, with concurrent programs run across these practice areas, including the Deployment Grant Fund, Empire Technology Prize, Affordable Housing Deployment Accelerator, Energy Storage Deploy Now Accelerator, and the International Landing Pad Network.

The Clean Fight is broadly supported by the NYSERDA, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, New York City Economic Development Corporation, the Wells Fargo Foundation, Breakthrough Energy, Builders Vision, and The Rockefeller Foundation. We are a chapter of New Energy Nexus, a global nonprofit operating in the U.S., China, India, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. New Energy Nexus works toward a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the population by supporting diverse entrepreneurs with funds, accelerators, and networks.

About the Role

The Senior Associate will collaborate with members of The Clean Fight's Program and Partnerships teams to design, manage and execute core programming across current and future initiatives. Responsibilities span the full program lifecycle, including startup sourcing and recruitment, selection process coordination, technical assistance provider management, event planning and delivery, partner recruitment support, and engagement with startups and partners. This role will serve as a critical point of contact for cohort companies and/or program partners, ensuring strong day-to-day communication, while proactively identifying commercial, funding, and partnership opportunities across programs.

The team operates under a flexible hybrid model, with in-person collaboration two days per week in The Clean Fight's office near Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. Unfortunately, relocation assistance is not available.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting businesses that are critical to the clean energy transition. Ideally, the Senior Associate has hands-on experience helping to scale growth stage companies, facilitating external stakeholder relationships, and has knowledge of the clean energy business sector. They thrive in an early-stage environment by being a fast learner willing to roll up their sleeves, are self-motivated, solution-oriented, resourceful, and able to prioritize and multitask.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Drive execution of The Clean Fight's world-class program(s), in collaboration with the Program Director and Partnerships team, focused on adding real and unique value to growth-stage startups
• Support strategic program planning and contribute to the design of new initiatives. Responsibilities may include identifying the strategic focus of program topics, building high-level program roadmaps, identifying and cultivating recruitment channels, and ensuring events are designed and delivered to maximize company success
• Facilitate relationship management and engagement activities with customer partners, ecosystem organizations, technical experts, funders, and other external stakeholders
• Conduct needs assessment and market mapping interviews with stakeholders from throughout the energy storage ecosystem
• Evaluate participant needs and help match companies to the right resources, partners, and opportunities
• Assess and monitor best practices in the ecosystem to understand what is and isn't working and ensure we're pioneering a best-in-class program design
• Coordinate and manage an inclusive startup selection process, including the development and management of the selection committee
• Help manage core program execution, including multiple in-person and virtual events
• Help build a strong expert network to support the program's startups
• Serve as a key point of contact and provide ongoing support to participants throughout the program lifecycle
• Coordinate external meetings, stakeholder communications, and follow-up activities to help advance partnership and program objectives

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Bachelor's Degree +
• 4+ years of experience working in accelerators or other organizations designed to help companies scale and/ or within startups directly helping them scale (e.g., sales, business development, product management, product marketing, or other relevant functional experience with a growth stage company; accelerator manager or associate; investor; consultant or investment banker, etc.)
• Experience leading or supporting strategic or operational planning processes for multi-month programs or initiatives with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong track record supporting entrepreneurs, managing external stakeholder relationships, and/or building communities among companies and ecosystem participants
• Ability to coordinate and execute large events, in partnership with event production resource
• Proven project management in lean, complex, fast-paced environments
• Experience in the clean energy / climate world - work in energy storage is particularly valued
• Experience working in non-profit or government roles with a focus on clean energy, climate solutions, or similar also valued
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across internal teams and external stakeholders

Benefits

Compensation

Competitive compensation ($72,000+), commensurate with experience. Generous benefits, including health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with company contribution, generous PTO, and paid parental leave.

We value and celebrate diversity among our employees and in our movement. We are an equal opportunity employer - all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, family/marital status, or veteran status. To be considered, please submit your resume and a cover letter expressing why you're right for the role in Workable by following this link: https://apply.workable.com/the-clean-fight/j/BF4FF4631A