Electric Transportation Manager, China

Job Description

Job Summary

In this role, you will have a unique opportunity to leverage a growing portfolio of electromobility programs in China and beyond to develop and implement a regional electric transportation strategy. Reporting to WRI’s Senior Global Manager for Electric Vehicles, you will be responsible for all aspects of the design and management of multiple electric transportation initiatives in the targeted region and of opportunities for integration, learning and dissemination of experiences. You will coordinate with staff in WRI’s China office to support their work and align strategic planning between that office, WRI’s global headquarters, and other international offices.

The electromobility strategy that you develop for China will be coordinated with our global electromobility strategy, and you will have an opportunity to help shape the latter. As part of the implementation of these strategies, you will support and sometimes lead development activities through drafting proposals and communicating directly with funding organizations.

Specific projects currently in your portfolio include the development of national electromobility policies, identifying electrical grid-related requirements and opportunities associated with mass adoption of electric vehicles, and supporting cities in the procurement of electric buses and associated charging infrastructure. Each month, you will support an ongoing research and analysis activity to broaden our global expertise in an array of electromobility topics. Based on the programmatic work and these research and analysis activities, you will grow and evolve WRI’s programmatic activities while actively communicating both internally and externally.

Job Responsibilities

Strategy development

• In coordination with WRI offices in China and Washington, DC, define a comprehensive, multi-year programmatic strategy to maximize WRI impact in expanding access to electric transportation at the nexus of mobility, energy, and climate change
• Identify areas where additional research and analysis are needed to better define strategic emphases for WRI and the broader electric transportation community, and define new programmatic activities to address these research and analysis needs
• Collaborate with WRI personnel in offices outside China to amplify WRI’s global impact
• Develop strategic partnerships with other organizations to amplify WRI’s impact in China
• Support the development of WRI’s global electric transportation strategy

Project and Grant Leadership

• Undertake planning and implementation of project research, communication and budgeting activities
• Supervise the work of junior staff, including those with fewer than 5 years of work experience.
• Independently manage projects or discrete components of projects
• Plan, design and conduct policy-relevant research, analysis, and writing on relevant aspects of electromobility, including technical aspects such as integration of electric vehicles with electricity generation and demand management
• Oversee the development of tools and analyses that enable policymakers and stakeholders to make informed decisions about electromobility policy
• Conceive and produce high-quality, high-impact reports and issue briefs
• Proactively coordinate between the WRI Global Headquarters and other WRI international offices, as related to program implementation
• Coordinate across WRI program and issue areas
• Participate in internal and external peer review processes for publications and papers

Fundraising

• Develop fundraising project proposals and concept notes
• Cultivate donors to sustain and grow the program

Publications and Thought Leadership

• Communicate WRI research and analysis with external audiences.
• Speak at senior level conferences, workshops and other events
• Design and implement WRI roundtables, workshops or other convening events with key stakeholders
• Liaise with and develop collaborations with external partners, including research institutes, non-profit organizations, businesses, and government agencies

Job Qualifications

• Master's degree required (or bachelor’s degree with two additional years of relevant, full-time work experience); minimum of 5 years of relevant, full-time work experience
• Demonstrable previous experience in leading original projects, products, or research activities
• Demonstrated track record of accomplishments in advancing clean energy and/or sustainable transportation objectives
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of the grid implications and infrastructure needs for electric mobility
• Deep awareness and experience in working within China on clean energy and/or sustainable transportation topics
• Experience with leading philanthropic fundraising (or business development)
• Strong analytical skills and knowledge on using Excel and/or other data analysis tools
• Exceptional research skills and experience in evaluating research methodologies
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentation experience
• Willingness to work effectively under pressure and take on new challenges as required
• Ability to think creatively and resolve complex, multi-disciplinary challenges
• Detail-oriented, organized and independent thinker
• Full fluency in Chinese and English (both required)

How to Apply

Please include a cover letter and resume. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

Program Overview

WRI’s electric transportation team resides within the Urban Efficiency and Climate workstream of the Sustainable Cities program. Our work focuses on facilitating the successful and strategic expansion of electric vehicles throughout the world, with regional focuses in China, India, Latin America, and the United States. Specific emphases are also placed on activities that minimize global greenhouse gas emissions, ensure equitable access to clean transportation, and support broader sustainable energy and transportation objectives. To these ends, the electric transportation team researches and implements programs across a wide range of topics, including but not limited to: battery and vehicle production, transportation planning, financing, government procurement, national and sub-national policies, and charging infrastructure development.

The WRI Sustainable Cities program helps create accessible, equitable, healthy, and resilient urban areas for people, businesses, and the environment to thrive. Together with partners, we enable more connected, compact, and coordinated cities.

WRI Overview

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 in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

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.

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $100 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 800+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

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.

The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI's policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.