Operations Manager, Greenhouse Gas Protocol

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in our Washington DC office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is the world’s leading authority and international standard setter on corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting. Building on a 20-year partnership between World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), GHG Protocol works with governments, industry associations, NGOs, businesses, and other organizations. In 2016, 92% of Fortune 500 companies responding to the CDP used GHG Protocol to account for their emissions. The GHG Protocol also provides standards, tools, and online training to help countries and cities track progress towards their climate goals.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to Deputy Global Operations Manager, you will serve as head of GHG Protocol’s financial management, operations, and administration, working with program leadership to build and maintain a nimble operational and administrative infrastructure that maximizes resources dedicated to the highest-impact program work. With the support of one or more Grants and Finance Specialist(s), you will oversee and improve operational infrastructure and systems that enable GHG Protocol to advance programmatically. You will ensure the effective implementation of new and existing systems and policies that ensure sound financial decision making, maintain compliance, improve funding pipelines, maintain a diverse and talented team, and maximize the impact of the WRI’s work. You will be based in a WRI office with potential availability to work-from-home several days each week.

What will you do:

Budget and Financial Management (35%):

• Oversee GHG Protocol budgets, including monitoring expenses and revenue of grants and contracts managed by Grants & Finance Specialist(s), and advising Directors and Project Managers on budget planning, decision-making, staffing, and risk mitigation across all project work
• Develop and implement systems and approaches to more efficiently manage the GHG Protocol finances, including improved systems for communicating budget and labor data to directors, project managers, and staff
• Provide oversight & approvals of internal expenses and processes, including contracts, timesheets, and payment requests as appropriate
• Train and assist Grants and Finance Specialists with expense reports, invoicing, and other transactions
• Ensure the GHG Protocol complies with WRI financial management requirements and best practices
• Represent the GHG Protocol in all finance and operations-related meetings

Grants and Contracts Management (35%):

• Collaborate with Development Manager by identifying fundraising needs and supporting project and program fundraising efforts
• Develop project and cross-program funding proposals in collaboration with project managers and pillar directors with support from Grants & Finance Specialist(s); design proposal budgets in line with project needs and accordance with funder requirements
• Ensure compliance with funder agreements across GHG Protocol and support timely communication with funders to maintain compliance and negotiate grant terms that maximize resources dedicated to project implementation
• Oversee procurement activities across GHG Protocol, ensuring compliance with WRI policies and guiding project managers in procurement decisions, leading competitive bid processes, preparing contract and subgrant documentation, and overseeing the payment and compliance of sub-contracted funds and deliverables

Program Operations, Team Management, and Administration (30%):

• Lead GHG Protocol administration and operations, working with Directors to manage policies, systems, and resources to achieve highest-impact program work
• Support Directors in staff planning and recruitment; help maintain a diverse and talented team of experts to deliver high-impact research, including communicating with HR and GHG Protocol leadership to finalize promotions and merit review recommendations
• Support GHG Protocol leadership in developing, communicating, and implementing program policies to improve operations and working with WRI’s central operations teams to tailor policies
• Support improved internal communications to increase coordination between project teams, improve systems for information and file sharing, improve compliance with key policies, and promote a team ethos in a hybrid work environment
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of program-wide events, such as annual retreats and teambuilding convenings
• Manage one or more Grants and Finance Specialist(s) supporting GHG Protocol project operations, finances, fundraising, and administration
• Provide supervision, coaching, and long-term professional development

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a bachelor's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, or other relevant field
• Experience: You have minimum of 7 year of full-time relevant work experience with minimum of 2 years of direct staff management experience
• Assertive, detail-oriented, and highly organized individual with a strong interest in program operations/coordination, budgets, and administrative work
• Self-motivated with an ability to juggle multiple priorities, handle assignments independently, and work under tight deadlines
• Demonstrated capacity to work well under pressure with competing demands
• Strong process orientation with sensitivity to quality
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to work well in a team
• Strong computer skills including high level of comfort with Microsoft Office (esp. Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and web-based communications (Zoom, Teams)
• Familiarity with advanced database, financial, and project management (such as Salesforce, Concur, Cognos, TM1, Asana, Monday, etc.) preferred.
• Languages: Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: Salary range is between 96,000 and 110,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive renumeration and benefits package.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of June 20, 2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities 
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute(WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.