Job Description

Executive Director, Chicagoland Climate Investment Alliance

World Business Chicago is a public-private, non-profit partnership that drives inclusive economic growth and job creation, supports business, and promotes Chicago as a leading global city.

Position Summary

The Executive Director will lead the implementation and execution of the Chicagoland Climate Investment Alliance - a public-private partnership focused on securing Chicagoland’s position as the global leader in climate innovation and investments by focusing on the following areas:

• Forge an Interconnected Climate Innovation Ecosystem: Prioritizing cohesive and impactful synergies across sectors, including agtech, clean energy, water, food, and recycling.
• Accelerate Local Startups: Providing support to innovative, eco-friendly solutions born throughout the Chicagoland region.
• Mobilize Substantial Climate Investments: Spurring job growth and economic development in Chicagoland and the Midwest, particularly in specialized sectors.
• Secure Federal Support: Seek federal backing and investment in green initiatives within the Midwest region, with a focus on climate-resilient technologies.
• Strengthen Climate Ecosystem Collaborations: Convening and collaborating with national, regional, and local ecosystem partners to fortify the climate economy, fostering innovation and growth within the Midwest region.

As the fiscal sponsor, this position will sit within World Business Chicago. This is a full-time position, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. The role will be to lead the administration, development and advancement of the Chicagoland Climate Investment Alliance (“Climate Alliance”) work including organizing materials for regular board meetings, representing the Alliance at events and panels, growing the financials, coordinating federal grant opportunities, engaging Alliance members, identifying new partnership opportunities, and executing regular convenings/events.

Responsibilities

Long-Term Strategic Leadership:

• Lead the organization in achieving its mission and vision, focusing on sustained climate innovation and investment impact over time.
• Develop multi-year strategies to prioritize ecosystem expansion, scaling innovative projects, and maintaining the organization’s competitive advantage.

Partnership Development & Stakeholder Management:

• Cultivate and maintain high-impact, long-term relationships with public and private stakeholders (e.g., government bodies, corporations, and academic institutions), focusing on collaborations that support the organization's sustainability.
• Facilitate engagement with the Advisory Board, ensuring it functions as a dynamic network of experts and influencers contributing to the growth and scalability of the organization’s initiatives.

Scaling Organizational Impact:

• Oversee the design and expansion of key programs to accelerate job creation and regional investment, focusing on infrastructure, clean energy, and materials science.
• Lead the organization in scaling beyond the Chicagoland area, to influence national and international climate action.
• Fundraise and maintain a pipeline of prospects interested in investing in the Climate Alliance including developing a long-term funding structure.

Governance & Compliance:

• Report regularly to the Steering Committee on organizational health, addressing both short-term objectives and long-term strategies.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with legal, financial, and governance standards as the organization scales, aligning with best practices in nonprofit governance and financial transparency.

Ecosystem Leadership:

• Position the organization as a leader in the global climate innovation sector, engaging in international forums, and leveraging the Chicagoland region’s unique strengths to attract further investment.
• Strengthen and expand the Advisory Board to ensure broad, inclusive representation across sectors, allowing for sustained collaboration that supports long-term climate innovation goals.
• Execute mission trips and promotional events that strengthen the Climate Alliance with key stakeholders including Federal agencies and national stakeholders
• Represent the Alliance at networking events, on panels, and other brand building opportunities
• Support business development opportunities related to climate investment projects
• Manage third-party contracts and partners for program and service delivery
• Conduct other related tasks and assignments not specified above

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Client-focused
• Fundraising
• Governance and Administration
• Results and goal-oriented
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Presentation skills
• Team player with strong work ethic
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in climate industries, federal funding, economic development, strategic partnerships, business development, public administration, marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in political science, business, urban planning, public policy or related field or equivalent work experience in a related field

Requirements

• Willingness to work in a hybrid work environment –working from World Business Chicago’s, office with an expectation of at least 3 days spent in office
• Willingness to work occasional workday evenings as project and strategic opportunities arise.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary range: $140,000 - $175,000
• Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability Insurance, 401 K, Life Insurance, Paid Time off, and Sick Time.
• Timing: this position will be filled upon confirmed funding.

World Business Chicago is an equal opportunity employer.

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