About the Foundation

The Heising-Simons Foundation is a family foundation based in Los Altos and San Francisco, California. The Foundation and the Heising-Simons Action Fund, its affiliated 501(c)(4) organization, work with its many partners to advance sustainable solutions in climate and clean energy, enable groundbreaking research in science, enhance the education of our youngest learners, and support human rights for all people.

The Foundation’s grantmaking is guided by the values of humility, courage, justice, opportunity, sustainability, innovation, relationships, and integrity. Since its first grant in 2008, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion across over 3,800 grants.

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About the Climate and Clean Energy Program

The goal of the Climate and Clean Energy (CCE) program is to protect people and the planet

from the worst impacts of climate change by cutting pollution and accelerating the transition to a clean energy future. The Foundation’s and Action Fund’s grantmaking supports organizations that help advance government policies to spur large-scale progress curbing pollution, and to ensure that a low-carbon future is a prosperous one for the most vulnerable communities.

The CCE program currently funds solution-based policy efforts primarily in the U.S. focused on four strategic areas: 1) advancing climate policy to limit greenhouse gas emissions; 2) transforming the energy sectors that are the primary source of pollution; 3) cutting the most potent pollutants, such as methane; and 4) seizing time-sensitive opportunities to achieve large-scale emission reductions. In 2023, the Foundation awarded approximately 70 grants totaling $31 million in CCE grant funding.

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The Opportunity

The Heising-Simons Foundation is seeking a new Director, Climate and Clean Energy, to lead the foundation’s CCE grantmaking and manage a high-performing professional staff of five. The ideal candidate should be a senior leader with a minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience leading strategies, programs, and teams in climate, clean energy, and public policy and have a track record as an outstanding people, team, and program leader. Prior grantmaking experience through c3 and c4 organizations is preferred and prioritized.

The CCE Program Director is responsible for engaging members of the Board, the President and CEO, and the CCE team to establish and implement a common vision and strategy for the program’s grantmaking and activities for both the Foundation (c3) and the Action Fund (c4). The Program Director leads a team of three Program Officers, two Program Associates, and various consultants. The position reports to the President and CEO.

This full-time (37.5 hours per week), exempt (salaried) position is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently, the Foundation has a flexible hybrid approach to work, allowing staff to work from home or the office while maintaining a regular in-person cadence of three consecutive days per month for community building, learning, collaboration, and direction setting.

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Primary Responsibilities

Lead and manage the CCE program’s strategy and grantmaking.

● Develop, implement, and evaluate the CCE program’s overall strategy, as well as specific initiatives and grantmaking.

● Regularly discuss and align on program strategy, trends in the CCE field, and the overall effectiveness of funding in the CCE program area with the Board and the President and CEO, sharing headlines and updates with the CCE team.

● Develop and monitor annual grants and administrative budgets for the CCE program area.

● Oversee the implementation of the program’s grantmaking strategy and ensure grants adhere to the Foundation’s policies and procedures.

● Manage a small CCE grantmaking portfolio, including screening inquiries, soliciting and reviewing proposals, conducting site visits, summarizing proposals for review by the Board, and reporting on progress to management and the Board.

Manage, mentor, and build the capacity of the CCE team.

● Manage the CCE program team and consultants and serve as an essential member of the Foundation’s senior leadership team.

● Supervise team members by providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship to achieve the goals of the team and the Foundation and advance individuals’ career goals.

● Provide regular feedback to supervisors, direct reports, and colleagues informally and as part of the annual review process.

● Lead and/or assist with recruiting, onboarding, and training of new team members.

Build partnerships and represent the Foundation in the CCE field.‍

● Forge partnerships with other foundations, grantee partners, and relevant stakeholders.

● Provide non-financial support to grantees, including advice concerning capacity-building, fund development, network connections, projects, and evaluation.

● Represent the Foundation, its CCE grantmaking, and CCE issues to external audiences through speaking, writing, and other opportunities.

● Develop and implement activities designed to amplify the effects of Foundation grantmaking (e.g., convenings, communications, connecting with relevant public and private stakeholders) in collaboration with the Foundation’s communications team.

Continue learning and expanding the Foundation’s network in the CCE field.

● Keep abreast of current policy discussions, technologies, organizations, trends, and research in the CCE field.

● Build knowledge of CCE issues, the CCE funding landscape and gaps in the field, and philanthropic grantmaking techniques. Attend workshops and conferences to learn about relevant topics and trends.

● Join and/or network with relevant affinity groups or individuals to increase access to knowledge and thought partnership.

Foundation-wide Responsibilities‍

● Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and dynamic organizational culture.

● Participate in Foundation-wide activities, such as committees, internal culture-building, training, and strategic planning.

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Desired Qualifications

Candidates are not expected to have experience in all areas listed in this job posting and will have an opportunity to learn and grow in the role.

● An advanced degree in a relevant field, e.g., public policy, environmental or climate science, renewable energy, clean energy, sustainability, etc.

● At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in senior roles in climate, clean energy, and public policy, leading strategies, programs, and teams.

● A track record as a respected and well-connected thought leader in climate, clean energy, and public policy with sophisticated expertise on key issues, players, strategies, and tactics to advance policies.

● Broad and substantive knowledge of energy and climate policy in the U.S. (state, regional, and national). Familiarity with and existing networks within the landscape of organizations involved in the climate and clean energy field, as well as advocacy strategies, tactics, and key leverage points to advance policy. Equivalent international or sectoral knowledge is a plus.

● Experience leading climate and clean energy-related philanthropy/grantmaking, a sophisticated understanding of advocacy, and c3 and c4 grantmaking is strongly preferred and prioritized.

● A skilled communicator and facilitator who can work closely with the President & CEO, and Board to align on programmatic vision, strategy, and goals and translate those discussions effectively to program staff.

● A track record as an excellent people leader, team manager, and mentor with high emotional intelligence and well-developed listening skills who can effectively lead a professional, high-performing team. A leadership style that includes a commitment to strategy, clarification of roles and responsibilities, consensus building, clear decision-making, and the ability to communicate with directness, nuance, empathy, and integrity.

● Passionate about achieving the goals of the CCE program and the Foundation.

● Proven ability to design and implement successful, bold strategies while prioritizing resources to maximize impact.

● Thrives in a collegial, collaborative environment; can adapt quickly to changing needs and priorities at the program and organizational level.

● Demonstrated sound judgment and critical thinking skills, with the ability to consider multiple perspectives. A leadership style that leverages individual strengths and respects differences while working toward shared goals; demonstrates commitment to lead with humility, humor, and an openness to adapting and learning.

● Strong track record of developing trusting, productive relationships in the field, operating with a deep sense of authentic respect for grantees and the individuals they serve, and engaging in a partnership-driven approach to grantmaking and change.

● Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, including being an excellent listener and connecting with a wide range of stakeholders.

● Eager to mentor, coach, and motivate team members to grow and learn continuously.

● Proven organizational and project management skills, with a keen attention to detail. Excellent research, analysis, and synthesis skills.

● Commitment to philanthropy as a mechanism for change.

● Self-motivated, with a proactive approach to work, an eagerness to learn, and a motivation to stay at the forefront of developments in the field.

● Proficiency with all Microsoft Office applications.

● Ability to travel for meetings and convenings.

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Compensation and Benefits

The target starting salary for this position is $295,000 to $350,000 per year, depending on experience.

The Heising-Simons Foundation offers a comprehensive employee benefits package designed to support employee wellness at work and in life. Benefits include employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents. In addition, the Foundation offers a flexible spending account (FSA) for medical and childcare expenses, a 401(k) plan with an employer match of up to 16%, three weeks of vacation per year, and paid time off for sick, personal reasons, and holidays.

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Work Arrangements/Location

This position is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently, the Foundation has a flexible hybrid approach to work, allowing staff to work from home or the office while maintaining a regular in-person cadence of three consecutive days per month for community building, learning, collaboration, and direction setting.

Candidates must be currently legally authorized to work in the United States.

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Heising-Simons Foundation Commitment to Equal Opportunity

The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of applicants. Foundation policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, military service, legally protected medical condition, reproductive health decisions, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

Our success is dependent on our ability to build teams that include people with different experiences and expertise who can challenge each other’s assumptions with new viewpoints and bring different perspectives to the team. We encourage women, people of color, formerly incarcerated individuals, immigrants, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and others with diverse perspectives and experiences to apply.

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To Apply

Martha Montag Brown & Associates, LLC has been retained to conduct this search. Interested and qualified candidates should apply by emailing a resume, targeted cover letter, and salary requirements (based on the stated compensation range for the position) to search@marthamontagbrown.com. All correspondence will remain confidential.

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