Deputy Director, China Program

Overview

NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Bozeman, Montana; Chicago; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.

NRDC is seeking a Deputy Director to work with the China Program Director team in our Beijing office.

Position Summary

The Deputy Director will be responsible for providing leadership in the China Program on the team building, staff development, team management, and strategic thinking on China Program branding, in consultation with the Program Director. The role will also support the Program Director’s efforts in strategic planning, programmatic coordination, fundraising, and networking and partnership building. The position’s responsibilities will be divided 40% external and 60% internal.

Responsibilities

• With the China Program Director, build collaborative relationships and agreements with funders, partner organizations and others working in China to optimize project outcomes. Represent NRDC at public forums and functions to convey NRDC positions, and engage and influence stakeholders.
• Lead and collaborate with project leaders on team building and staff development for the China Program;
  • Lead and collaborate with project leaders on analyzing, designing, and/or improving strategies for China Program branding;
  • Work closely with the China Program Director on strategic planning, programmatic coordination, fundraising, networking, partnership building, and addressing management and personnel issues, as needed.
• Guide, coach and develop team members, and find ways to help them succeed. Foster teamwork and help enhance team satisfaction with the work and work environment. Monitor work quality and give timely feedback as well as rewards and recognition. Supervise employees to ensure compliance with NRDC policies and standards.
• Work with the China program leadership team to develop overall program strategies and priorities, liaise with NRDC US offices, identify funding opportunities, write proposals, make staffing decisions, and establish management practices to create a culture of teamwork, high performance, and accountability.
• Directly manage our largest project, the Energy Transition Project, by guiding the project directors, overseeing the team’s strategy, and ensuring a strong team dynamic.
• Perform project administration duties including budgeting, staffing, reporting, expense approval, etc. and ensuring all obligations and deliverables to funders are met.
• Liaise with NRDC’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to support internal DEI development.
• From time to time, interact with relevant NRDC staff in other offices in the U.S. and in India.

Qualifications

Education & Experience  

• Masters’ degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required. 
• Deep subject matter expertise in energy transition, renewable energy, climate resilience, climate policy and other climate and environment issues. 
• Recognized as a thought leader in energy field with a well-established professional stakeholder network.  
• 15+ years of related experience. 
• Minimum 5 years professional experience supervising support staff or others. 
• Preferred: minimum 5 years of experience working internationally or collaborating with international teams. 

Skills and Abilities 

• Excellent people management skills, with aptitude for developing talent and supporting a positive and diverse team culture.  
• Proficient in English (speaking, listening, writing, reading).
• Strong planning and project management skills. 
• Budget management skills. 
• Demonstrated commitment to and competence in equity and inclusion principles, including contributing to an inclusive working environment and advancing DEI. 
• Ability to build relationships, effectively collaborate, and engender trust from peers and colleagues. 
• Ability to handle complex and sensitive discussions and processes with diplomacy. 
• Ability to interact with teams in other countries and time zones.  
• Team player who can handle multiple conflicting priorities and ambiguity. 
• A motivated self-starter. 
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles.   

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with skills and experience.

To apply, please visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your resume and cover letter through our online portal. We would like you to upload any additional papers or project work that you think would showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications NRDC receives, we will only contact candidates we would like to progress through the search process. Please no phone calls, emails, faxes, or in-person resume drop-offs. Please reference where you saw this posting. NRDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you are having technical difficulty while applying, please send an email with the position title in the subject line to hr_bj@nrdc-china.org.

Applications will be accepted until filled. For further information about NRDC, please visit www.nrdc.org and www.nrdc.cn.