Senior Associate

Our team is motivated by an urgency to build a movement that is diverse, bold, and strong enough to heal the planet, forge racial, economic, and climate justice, and reinvigorate democracy. We excel at building bridges across communities, finding common ground even on the most challenging issues facing our environment, workplaces, and economy. The firm’s three core practice areas are: (1) Zero Emission Transportation, Clean Air and Climate Resilience, (2) Clean Energy, and (3) Rights of and Connections to Nature. BWG is committed to growing a team of equity-driven professionals who reflect the rich of the communities we work with. As part of this, we offer a generous benefits package that includes participation a year-long reduced work week pilot.

Online Open House: Want to learn more about our firm? We are hosting a virtual open house on Thursday, September 19th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (PST). If you are interested, please RSVP to careers@betterworldgroup.com with the subject line “BWG Open House RSVP.”

Better World Group (BWG) seeks a full-time Senior Associate that will support the firm’s various practice areas including Clean Air, Transport and Climate Justice; Energy; and Rights of and Connection to Nature. In this role, the Senior Associate will lead project teams that build and provide support to coalitions and campaigns that drive equitable, innovative climate policies in California, the Western U.S., and nationally. Our aim is to change systems by transforming culture ensuring that benefits, resources, and economic opportunities reach communities of color and Indigenous communities, especially those most affected by environmental injustice.

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the field of clean transportation and energy, conservation and climate change while working on projects that directly promote equity and environmental justice.

Coalition and Campaign Engagement

- Ability to collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders to build consensus and advance multi-sectoral climate policy

- Demonstrated ability to navigate nuanced differences across campaigns and coalitions

- Manage and coordinate complex campaigns, coalitions, or projects

- Facilitate spaces that brings together different kinds of people to work for multi-sector solutions (i.e., public health, equity, jobs, climate), and help develop shared visions, strategy, and tactics

- Engage with key partners, decision-makers, and networks to advance campaign and coalition goals

Strategy and Policy Development

- Track and engage in climate and environmental justice policy development at the local, state, and national with a focus on zero emission transportation (cars, buses, trucks, ships), clean energy and/or conservation.

- Conduct research, stakeholder outreach and engagement, and analyze technical information to develop strategies, create policy proposals, and craft compelling stories.

- Draft memos, briefs, talking points, and other relevant materials, particularly with respect to legislative and regulatory venues.

Project Management

- Work directly with principals and other senior team members, managing upwards by advising on strategies and approaches, and ensuring alignment with overall project goals

- Lead and assist in defining project scopes and goals, including setting milestones, adhering to deadlines, and identifying necessary resources

- Coordinate internal efforts when issues require collaboration with colleagues

- Manage project staff, clients, subcontractors, contracts, project budgets and contract deliverables

- Manage client communications and expectations

Thought Partnership

- Serve as a proactive advisor and thought partner to principals on project planning, development, and implementation

- Build and maintain relationships with key partners, decision-makers, and networks, and participate in participate in conference, networking opportunities, and other external activities

- Assist in identifying new projects and work areas that align with BWG’s vision and mission

- Develop expertise in an emerging or existing practice areas

- Collaborate with the principals on assigned projects to provide strategy and policy direction to clients, key partners, and networks

Other Responsibilities

- Contribute to a work environment and culture focused on equity and belonging

- Raise the visibility on various climate and environmental issues that impact communities of color and Indigenous communities by writing newsletter articles, blogs, and social media content

- Ability and willingness to travel, as needed, to meetings and conferences throughout the state and potentially other locations

Experience - Candidates must have at least five years of full-time relevant work experience, in two or more of the following areas:

- State policy coalitions and campaigns

- Clean transportation

- Climate and conservation policy

- Clean energy

- Environmental and racial justice

- Public lands

- Climate change adaptation policy

- Meeting and coalition facilitation

- An equivalent combination of education and work experience may be accepted.

Skills - Successful candidates must possess:

- Demonstrated critical and strategic thinking abilities and have a detail-oriented and proactive approach to problem solving

- A growth mindset to use available resources and feedback to continually develop expertise in their role and facilitate team learning

- The ability to effectively manage time, resources, and priorities to achieve desired project and task outcomes and strategic goals

- Excellent written, interpersonal, and oral communication skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely convey complex topics

- Strong facilitation skills, including the ability to lead productive discussions, guide group decision-making, and foster collaboration among diverse perspectives

- Adept at creating inclusive environments that encourage participation and drive consensus

- An eagerness to learn and a fearless attitude towards exploring new topics on a regular basis

- Ability to grasp complex concepts related to policy and their systemic and local impacts

- Ability to receive client feedback, sometimes conflicting, and make informed decisions on how to prioritize and elevate them

- Supervise and mentor project staff