About the Waterfront Alliance & the Rise to Resilience Coalition
The Waterfront Alliance is a civic organization that brings together a diverse coalition of more than 1,100 Alliance Partners with ties to the New York–New Jersey waterways. Founded in 2007, our mission is to inspire and effect resilient, revitalized, and accessible coastlines for all communities. Key programs and advocacy areas include climate resilience, public access to the waterfront, the working waterfront, and climate education.
The Waterfront Alliance is a regional leader in climate policy with a focus on coastal resilience. The organization’s climate initiatives formally began in 2012 with the development of the WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) program. The policy and advocacy goals of the Waterfront Alliance consolidated into the launch of the Rise to Resilience coalition in 2020, following a lengthy community and coalition building process and development of a comprehensive policy agenda.
Rise to Resilience is spearheaded by the Waterfront Alliance and comprised of more than 100 organizations representing residents, leaders in business, labor community and justice, volunteer organizations, scientists, environmental advocates, and design professionals collectively calling on federal, state, and local governments to make building climate resilience in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region an urgent priority. Since its inception in 2020, the coalition has successfully passed laws at federal, state, and local levels that will build climate resilience for generations to come.
About the Position
The Director of Climate Policy is charged with collaborating with colleagues and partners in developing climate change policy and strategy for the Waterfront Alliance; leading the coordination and convening of the Rise to Resilience coalition; implementing advocacy strategy through the Rise to Resilience coalition and directly as part of Waterfront Alliance’s policy agenda; identifying changes and trends in climate change that affect and dictate new strategy; and collaborating with multiple programs within the Waterfront Alliance to advance the Waterfront Alliance mission.
This position provides a unique opportunity for an individual with expertise in climate policy, nonprofit coalition management and leadership, consensus building, and legislative and policy expertise to shape the policy agenda for the nation’s largest metro area. The position is planned to be supported by a campaign manager/community organizer. The Waterfront Alliance and Rise to Resilience coalition have strong track records influencing legislative and regulatory policy and is poised for growth and greater influence. This position plays a central role in the successes that will foster and sustain growth and influence.
Classification: Fulltime, exempt
Salary and Benefits: Salary is $80,000–$95,000. Waterfront Alliance offers a comprehensive benefits package, including employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurances; life insurance; 401K retirement plan with employer match; commuter and FSA benefits, paid time off, professional development opportunities, and more.
Location: New York, NY, with a generous telecommuting policy.
Reports to: Vice President of Programs
Responsibilities
The Director of Climate Policy is responsible for developing, leading, and troubleshooting climate resilience policy and advocacy for the New York City metropolitan region and nationally regarding federal programs that impact the region. Specific policy and advocacy responsibilities include:
The Director of Climate Policy is responsible for managing the Rise to Resilience coalition. Specific responsibilities include:
Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter that illustrates qualifications relevant to this role and a resume as a single PDF to careers@waterfrontalliance.org. The subject should indicate “Director of Climate Policy.” Applicants must be legally authorized to work fulltime in the U.S. and should not require employment sponsorship now or in the future. Only complete applications will be considered. Position open until filled. No phone calls please.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Waterfront Alliance encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, physical ability or any other legally protected basis.