Project Manager, Electric School Bus Initiative

Job Description

This position is only for consideration for the WRI US office where WRI is state registered. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

Job Summary:

WRI is seeking a Project Manager for its Electric School Bus Initiative, to serve on its Management and Operations Team.

In this dynamic role, you will oversee the project management of the Electric School Bus Initiative (ESBI) whose goal is to create unstoppable momentum toward the equitable electrification of the entire U.S. school bus fleet by 2030. This is a high-visibility project within WRI that offers the chance to work across the intersection of a variety of topics including environment, equity, transportation, energy, health and education. The project is funded by a $30 million dollar grant through September 2025. You will work with the director and senior managers to ensure alignment with the ESBI strategy and project management standards and provide key support on financial management and partner coordination. You will monitor all project contracts and finances, and advise project managers and directors on grants, finances, and overall program operations. You will coordinate closely with other ESBI managers and staff and serve as a key liaison with other WRI programs and administrative departments.

Job Highlight:

In this role, you will oversee the project management of the Electric School Bus Initiative. You will ensure alignment with the ESBI strategy and project standards and provide key support on financial management and partner coordination.

You will be supported by a team of Project Coordinators who manage ESBI finances, partnership coordination, and alignment with WRI Program operations.

You will report directly to the Director and Senior Managers of the Electric School Bus Initiative and receive additional support from Operations and Project Managers.

What you will do:

Project Management & Evaluation:

• Improve project management competence for the ESBI by adapting standard processes and aligning activities with project strategy ensuring proper link to overall ESBI strategy.
• Advise project managers in the development of project objectives, strategies, and partnerships
• Track project progress against deliverables, grant deadlines, donor-related events, meetings, and external key events related to the grant lifecycle for a portfolio of relevant donors; proactively identify risks to Director and ESBI Leadership team
• Identify & adopt new tools as required to monitor and track project activities.
• Partner colleagues across WRI to improve coordination across the Institute

Operations, Grants, & Financial Management:

• Provide guidance to project management and relevant Directors in areas of financial, operational, and personnel management, as required
• Supervise Project Coordinators in their duties including financial management, contracts and invoicing, expense reports, timesheets, and other areas
• Improve systems to monitor ESBI finances and operations more efficiently
• Support project fundraising proposals and general stewardship, through resource planning for new projects and proposals
• Represent the ESB Initiative within WRI and with external stakeholders and advocate for its programmatic and operational needs.

What you will need:

Education: You have a Master’s degree (or Bachelor’s degree with 2 additional years of relevant experience), in Project Management, Administration, or similar field, and/or PMP Certification

Experience and Qualifications: You have a minimum of 3 years of relevant full-time work experience in project management, financial management, or nonprofit operations

• Proven experience independently managing projects through the project lifecycle. Experience in project management and associated standard methodologies. Experience with delegating project or financial management assignments.
• Experience with tracking information and communicating trends and patterns in data to assist decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), web-based communications (Skype, Zoom), CRM databases (Salesforce); familiarity with advanced budgeting software (Quicken, Cognos) or project management software (Basecamp, Asana, Monday.com) preferred
• Ability to leverage organization’s mission and values of equity, integrity, innovation and respect in work
• You have past experience managing competing demands with varying deadlines and changing priorities.
• Past experience with grants, contracts, finance and nonprofit operations is required.

How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of August 12, 2022. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary
• 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.
• Long-term 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, 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.