Strategist, HFC Refrigerant Phaseout and Energy Efficient Cooling

About the Organization

ClimateWorks Foundation is a global organization committed to our mission: to end the climate crisis by amplifying the power of philanthropy. Since our founding in 2008, we have awarded over $1.4 billion in grants to more than 600 organizations advancing climate solutions around the world. We helped grow the field of climate philanthropy to where it stands today, establishing infrastructure, global networks, and momentum for continued growth. Through our Global Programs and Services, we equip philanthropy with global knowledge, networks, and solutions to drive climate progress.

·       Scaling solutions: Our collaborative Global Programs— focused on solution areas including carbon dioxide removal, cooling, industry, transportation, and more — produce results that are bending the greenhouse gas emissions curve. From the U.S. to Europe, China, Brazil, and beyond, we collaborate with a diverse community of funders, NGOs, and climate leaders to accelerate just and equitable climate solutions.

·       Guiding and supporting funders: Our Global Services provide funders with comprehensive resources to assess, build, evolve, and execute high-impact climate-giving strategies. Our Global Intelligence service equips funders and the climate community with climate insights to pinpoint opportunities for impact and philanthropic insights to help identify investment priorities. We facilitate Global Collaborations that enable funders to increase individual and collective impact. Our Global Grantmaking services enable funders to invest in climate solutions around the world.

·       Fostering collaboration, exploration, and growth: Our collaborative approach and commitment to learning ensures that we continuously explore innovative ideas and emerging opportunities — all with the aim of scaling philanthropy-supported initiatives to help end the climate crisis.

As experts in climate science, public policy, economic and social analysis, and strategic philanthropy, ClimateWorks’ staff understands the multi-faceted challenges and opportunities of climate change. We are researchers, strategists, collaborators, and grantmakers who care passionately about our mission. For more information, please visit.

About our Clean Cooling Collaborative Program

ClimateWorks Foundation’s Clean Cooling Collaborative (CCC) program works to: a) reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by the cooling sector (e.g., space cooling and refrigeration) and b) protect people from the risks associated with extreme heat. Cooling is on track to cause 10% of all global greenhouse gas emissions annually in the future. This is due to a combination of rising temperatures, increasing urbanization rates, and growing middle classes. Together these factors are driving demand for new cooling equipment, with an estimated 3 billion additional air conditioners predicted to be deployed by 2050.

Use of this mechanical cooling equipment results in indirect emissions from the fossil fuel based power plants used to generate the electricity that is needed for their operation, and direct emissions caused by leakage/release of the refrigerants they contain into the atmosphere.  These refrigerants today are mainly HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons or F-gases for short), a class of super pollutants with a global warming potential (GWP) that can be up to 2000 times greater than CO2. 

Our program is organized around three major activity areas: 

• Driving global action to scale clean cooling and mobilizing additional investments.
• Transforming markets for clean cooling solutions.
• Increasing cooling access for heat vulnerable communities. 

Our funding supports a network of advocates, researchers, policymakers, consumers, businesses, and other stakeholders who are working together to transform the cooling sector. 

Besides GHG emission reductions, our work helps take stress off the grid thereby reducing the frequency of power outages, lowers users’ utility bills, improves people’s quality of life, and helps prevent heat related illnesses and fatalities. 

For more information visit CCC’s website at: https://www.cleancoolingcollaborative.org/

Job Summary

The Strategist will take on a portfolio of activities that relate to CCC’s work to raise the energy efficiency floor of cooling products sold, and to support the transition away from HFC refrigerants to more climate and environmentally friendly alternatives. In particular, the Strategist will:

• Serve as one of philanthropy’s leading strategists and thought partners on HFCs and coordinate closely with SPAA, the Super Pollutant Action Alliance. 
• Help build and support the NGO and academic ecosystem working on phasing out HFCs.
• Support HFC phaseout work at both the international (e.g policies and funding decisions at the Montreal Protocol level, safety standards, etc) and local regional/country levels.
• Help remove barriers/pave the pathway towards adoption of ultralow GWP refrigerants. This includes work to update safety standards to allow for the safe use of flammable refrigerants and to train the service technicians who install and service this equipment.
• Build interest, funding and programming that supports Lifecycle Refrigerant Management to minimize leakage from existing equipment and to ensure the refrigerants in existing equipment are captured and properly reclaimed/recycled or destroyed.
• Raise the energy efficiency of new cooling products sold through local adoption of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and energy use labels, and related incentive programs. This work will be done at both the regional and country level, with a special emphasis on the Global South.
• Support efforts to update the test methods for measuring the energy use of cooling products and for increasing compliance with MEPS regulations.
• Work to align HFC transition and energy efficiency policies and transitions wherever possible.

Essential Tasks 

• Develop portfolio strategy in coordination with the program director and the CCC team to phase out HFC refrigerants and raise the energy efficiency of new cooling equipment.
• Develop new and existing relationships with key stakeholders throughout the cooling and HFC ecosystems including environmental and efficiency NGOs, community-based organizations, governmental officials/regulators, manufacturers, trade associations, academic and other experts, leading consultants, donors, etc.
• Identify potential grantees and co-create the scope and objectives of grants and provide light touch grant management.
• Plan program and portfolio budgets and ensure timely distribution of grants.
• Support CCC’s development activities and provide concise and compelling materials for inclusion in reports back to our funders.
• Use grantmaking, convening, and collaboration to nurture the ecosystem of groups working in your portfolio area. Ensure knowledge is shared through written communications and online or in-person events. 
• Develop processes for evaluating impact of the portfolio activities.
• Serve as CCC’s representative to the Super Pollutant Action Alliance and represent CCC at key forums including the Montreal Protocol meetings, COP, etc.
• Provide research, planning and general support to the program as needed.

The successful applicant will have the following qualifications:

• Deep understanding of HFC phasedown policy and energy efficiency. (We will consider applicants who have expertise in one of these areas but little experience with the other).
• Strong program and project management skills based on a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
• Advanced degree in engineering, public policy, sustainability or another relevant field is preferred.
• A strong foundation and understanding of climate change including technical, political and economic drivers.
• Excellent relationship management and collaboration skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently (both virtually and in-person) with minimal supervision.
• Caring and generous attitude toward colleagues, grantees and partners.
• A commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment.

Compensation

ClimateWorks offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience (geographic differential applied based on location).

Salary Range (Bay Area / NYC): $180,000 - $190,000 annually

Salary Range (Other US): $170,000 - $180,000 annually

We recognize that compensation and benefits can vary across countries and understand that this can raise important questions. Our goal is to ensure fairness, equity, and competitiveness within each local context. To achieve this, we align our compensation structure with the economic conditions, labor market dynamics, and social benefit systems of the regions where we operate.

Salaries are determined based on country specific labor markets, allowing us to offer pay that is competitive within each region and consistent with other international organizations. Compensation is intentionally structured to be above lead local market averages and appropriate to the regional cost of labor. This approach supports our commitment to equity across our global workforce while enabling us to attract and retain top talent in diverse locations.

Location

ClimateWorks Foundation is based in the San Francisco Financial District. This position is classified as Global flexible. The geographic differential is applied to compensation based on the local labor cost.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to equal employment principles. We strive to find ways to attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to meet business objectives, and to recruit and employ highly qualified individuals representing the diverse communities in which we live. 

Our employment policies and decisions on employment and promotion are based on merit, qualifications, performance, and business needs. We make the decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees in a nondiscriminatory manner, without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, sex (including childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), pregnancy, uniform service member and veteran status, citizenship status, disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. Support and belief in this principle is a basic responsibility of all employees. 

This policy extends to all aspects of our employment practices, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, discipline, termination, promotions, transfers, compensation, benefits, training, leaves of absence, and other terms and conditions of employment.  

Application Process

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. To be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a resume and cover letter. This position will remain open until it is filled.

Employment at the ClimateWorks Foundation is at-will.

ClimateWorks offers an excellent benefits package:

Healthcare Plans:

Multiple options available through Kaiser & UHC

• HMO - 100% coverage for employee and dependents
• POS - Employee pays difference beyond HMO coverage (3 out of 4 POS options are at 100% coverage for employee and dependents)
• Dental –100% coverage for employee and dependents
• Vision – 100% coverage for employee and dependents

Fertility Benefit

• Fertility care through Carrot Fertility. Access to on-demand doctor-approved content, pregnancy support, and virtual chats with medical, legal, and regulatory experts.

Disability Benefit (long and short-term)

Life Insurance (3x base salary up to $750k for employee only)

PTO

• 20 days (1st year)
• 25 days (2nd - 8th year)
• 30 days (9th year)

Holidays

• 11 Observed and 2 floating

401k Plan

• After 6 months of service, CWF automatically contributes 9% of gross earnings per pay period to retirement fund*
• After 6 months of service, CWF matches 100% of employee contributions up to a max of 6% of gross earnings per pay period*