Program Lead, Climate, Global Programs

Cambridge, MA
Full-time Hybrid Mid Level Bachelor Degree

Overview

Solve is an initiative of MIT. We believe that to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future for all, we need new voices and ideas. We launch open calls for exceptional and diverse solutions to the most pressing global challenges, from anyone, anywhere in the world. Selected innovators get the backing of MIT and our community of supporters to scale their impact and drive lasting change. 

The Climate Program Lead acts as the program manager for all climate and sustainability  programs at Solve, including annual Global Challenges and Custom Challenges with specific clients. This role includes designing specific challenges, identifying exceptional judges, reviewing solutions, and stewarding client relationships. As the in-house content expert on climate and sustainability topics, they also expand our climate community through participation at relevant events and communities, including across MIT. 

Responsibilities

Program Management

  • Manage operations and administration for a portfolio of Global and Custom Climate challenges, including managing project staff, budgeting, compliance, and evaluation of the programs, among other functions:

    • Define, review, evaluate, and approve timelines, strategy, and operational work plans to ensure effective and efficient work

    • Maintains and reports on program budget and timeline for all programs within the portfolio

    • Effectively delegate project responsibilities to project staff and provide managerial oversight of work products

  • Serve as content expert for Climate challenge portfolio:

    • Design Climate challenges, in consultation with clients, pillar advisors, and other relevant stakeholders, including MIT faculty and cross sector leaders.

    • Identify exceptional and diverse leaders to serve as judges for each Climate challenge

    • Review solutions during selection processes for Climate challenges

    • Facilitate selection deliberations for Climate challenges

    • Facilitate Climate innovator-focused sessions during flagship events

    • Design and facilitate human-centered design thinking workshops, judging deliberations, and other virtual or in-person events related to custom challenge programs

  • Serve as Solve’s in-house content expert on Climate:

    • Speak confidently about Solve’s innovators working on climate and sustainability topics, and the potential role of tech-enabled innovation in addressing these topics 

    • Represent Solve as a speaker at events 

    • Support colleagues on events, programs, and relationships involving climate topics

Relationship Management

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for all climate clients, stewarding and renewing relationships with philanthropic foundations, corporations, multilateral organizations, and more.

  • Identify potential clients and supporters, for cultivation by the Partnerships team, through research, network, participation in climate events, and more. 

  • Expand Solve’s links with MIT faculty and initiatives to support Solve’s mission

  • Work with other team members as needed on planning and executing events that bring together the community physically and virtually to support the Solvers, engage the community, and advance solutions to the climate challenges

  • Manage one or more direct reports plus additional staff as necessary, volunteers and consultants as needed

  • Support Directors as needed

Strategic Input

  • Contribute to the strategic vision of Solve to build the premier marketplace for social impact innovation through open innovation and transformational partnerships

  • Collaborate with other teams across Solve to design and execute internal cross-team operations, systems, and processes

  • Interprets, implements, and ensures compliance with MIT policies and guidelines and provides recommendations to develop new policies and procedures to make programs more effective and efficient.

  • Recommend changes to Global and Custom innovator support programs to create a first-in-class program for climate innovators.  

  • Work with the Officer of Results Measurements to take a data-driven approach to innovator support programming, measuring needs, satisfaction and results. 

Qualifications and Skills

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Minimum 4 years’ experience in project management, partnerships, business development, or fundraising for social impact, events, or nonprofit organizations 

  • Relevant background in related field such as energy, agriculture, ecosystem restoration, or urban resilience

  • Excellent critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills

  • A proactive leader who organically develops quality relationships with colleagues and partners, and expertly drives cross-team collaborations to meet our mission goals

  • Bachelor’s degree required.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Master’s degree in an area relevant to Solve’s work

  • Experience working for a social and/or environmental impact organization

  • Professional proficiency in Arabic, French, Portuguese, or Spanish

  • Experience working in social and/or environmental impact organization or with entrepreneurs

  • Project implementation and CRM training or experience 

Benefits

The expected minimum pay for this position is $88,550, with a final offer based on experience and equity considerations. This is a full-time position. Solve team members are expected to spend four weeks a year in Solve’s Cambridge offices, plus a week during the first month for onboarding. 

As an MIT Solve employee, you are eligible for a number of benefits, perks, and discounts, including:

MIT Solve is committed to inclusion and diversity to build a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more diverse our team is, the better we can achieve our mission of solving world challenges. Meet our team. 

MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. 

Employment contingent upon the satisfactory results of a background check.

Apply now