Energy Program Manager

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

As You Sow is a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental and social responsibility through shareholder advocacy, coalition building, and innovative legal strategies. We are one of the nation's leading practitioners of shareholder advocacy, moving companies to take greater responsibility for the social and environmental impact of their operations. We mobilize investor coalitions, engage in dialogue with companies, file shareholder resolutions, and conduct shareholder solicitation outreach to raise awareness and promote more responsible corporate behavior.

As You Sow's Energy Program works to address the financial, environmental, and climate risks associated with fossil-fuel based energy through four key initiatives: Climate Change, Coal, Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking), and Cleantech. As You Sow's Climate Change initiative engages key energy companies to address the significant range of risks associated with climate change -- from lack of water to stranded fossil fuel reserves -- in addition to supporting institutional shareholders to invest in carbon-free energy. The Coal initiative works with electric power generators to reduce the risks associated with continued reliance on coal, urging companies to begin the transition to cleaner energy. As You Sow's Fracking initiative engages companies to reduce the environmental, financial, and community impacts associated with their shale gas extraction operations. The Cleantech initiative works to ensure that new technology for energy production is both clean and green. We are also actively engaged in encouraging endowments at university campuses, healthcare institutions, and other large institutions to divest their fossil fuel holdings and reinvest in clean energy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As You Sow is seeking an Energy Program Manager to work under the supervision of As You Sow's President. The Energy Program is responsible for in-depth research and analysis, strategic planning, direct dialogues with corporate management, filing shareholder resolutions, writing technical reports for investment professionals and proxy analysts, attending and speaking at conferences and annual shareholder meetings, writing press releases, pitching media, delivering program reports, as well as working with the staff development team to write foundation grants and reports to funders. This position involves: in-depth research of company financial and environmental reports; tracking and monitoring data on legal, policy, and corporate announcements; analyzing company exposure to financial, environmental, regulatory, legal, and reputational risks; benchmarking best practices in the industry, and; developing the business case for a transition to energy efficiency and low-carbon energy sources. The position also involves working in coalition with partner organizations to support university students and other civil society sectors to promote divestment and carbon-free reinvesting in clean technology opportunities by endowments. This includes regular coordination with coalition partners, resource generation, and developing and executing trainings. (S)he will also help to build out As You Sow's clean technology reinvestment strategy and manage resource generation and awareness building. The Energy Program Manager also monitors all shareholder advocacy engagements and serves as the primary liaison with investor allies to secure shareholder authorization and proper paperwork for resolution filings. The ideal candidate will be an independent self-starter who has experience analyzing environmental, regulatory, technical, legal, and financial risks facing companies as well as a team-player that can work with partners and serve as an ambassador for the organization. The candidate will have extensive research experience, be comfortable reviewing financial documents, have strong written and interpersonal communication skills, and possess a keen attention to detail.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop engagement strategy and business case arguments to move corporate policies and practices.
• Research environmental, regulatory, technical, financial, and reputational risks and vulnerabilities facing companies.
• Analyze corporate financial reports including 10-Ks, 8-Ks, quarterly reports, and Environmental/Sustainability Reports.
• Monitor and track company financial reports, media releases, investor presentations, analyst reports, news outlets, online postings, and other information sources.
• Organize data and prepare comprehensive reports and briefings.
• Identify best practices in an industry.
• Write resolutions, work with SEC attorneys, file resolutions.
• Develop company and issue research to support initiatives, including company fact sheets and investor letters.
• Write and present reports for proxy analysts.
• Lead dialogues with companies and maintain records of corporate engagement.
• Assist in building coalitions of concerned investors, NGO advocates, and activists to support our work.
• Attend and speak at corporate annual meetings.
• Collaborate with colleagues including social investment funds and firms, faith-based investors, and other institutional investors.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the Fossil Free university coalition for financial issues, and engage in strategic planning, resource generation, and other support as needed.
• Develop resources and trainings for students and other key stakeholders on carbon-free investing, clean technology reinvestment opportunities, and other needs as they arise.
• Shape new coalitions to organize civil society movements for clean technology investing by endowments.
• Write press releases and pitch stories to media.
• Write foundation grants and reports.
• Provide administrative support for all shareholder initiatives, including serving as primary liaison with investors allies to secure shareholder authorization and proper filing paperwork, including tracking As You Sow's shareholder advocacy initiatives.
• Track company filing information in Salesforce database and support implementation of As You Sow's Compliance Program.

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A., MA/MBA preferred.
• Strong interpersonal engagement and communication skills. Must be able to confidently conduct periodic negotiations with senior corporate officials.
• Experience in national advocacy initiatives or dialogues on corporate responsibility.
• Corporate campaign engagement experience.
• Excellent research, analysis, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as take individual initiative.
• Strong analytical skills to critique social and environmental impact of corporate policies and practices.
• Background and/or extensive knowledge of energy industry, environmental and social issues with emphasis on coal and climate change.
• Training in economics, finance, or corporate social responsibility.
• High comfort level with databases and online interfaces.
• Experience with budgeting and project management.
• Comfort reviewing financial documents
• Facility in internet research
• Works well in coalition with external partners
• Familiarity with social media and other communications tactics
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with excellent attention to detail a must
• Demonstrated ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Passionate personal commitment to progressive social and environmental change.
• Strong work ethic, self-motivated, and committed to excellence
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Familiarity with Salesforce preferred
• Sense of humor appreciated