ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY

Established in 2015 by Bill Gates and a coalition of private investors concerned about the impacts of accelerating climate change, Breakthrough Energy supports the innovations that will lead the world to net-zero emissions. We are building on the proven model of public-private partnerships that Gates has already used to transform health, education, and public welfare around the world. Breakthrough Energy is a network of entities and initiatives, including investment funds, nonprofit and philanthropic programs, and policy efforts linked by a common commitment to scale the technologies we need to achieve a path to net zero emissions by 2050. We are encouraging the development of new net-zero energy technologies, championing policies that speed innovation from lab to market, and bringing together governments, research institutions, private companies, and investors to expand and enhance clean-energy investment.

Breakthrough Energy embraces diversity and recognizes our responsibility to provide a diverse and inclusive work environment. We value the benefits that arise from a diverse organization and are committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion where employees of all backgrounds can collaboratively work and serve Breakthrough Energy’s mission. This is extended to all areas of the employee lifecycle and experience, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotions, career development programs, and benefits. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. We encourage diverse candidates to apply. 

Breakthrough Energy Fellows

The Breakthrough Energy Fellows Program is a global initiative designed to recruit the brightest minds in the world to tackle the largest climate challenges and support them on their journey to develop and commercialize the best early-stage, hard-tech solutions for climate change. To reach net-zero emissions by 2050, we need to substantially increase the number of new technologies with the potential to dramatically reduce carbon emissions. We are building this Fellowship program to attract scientists and engineers with exceptional climate technology, fund their technical and business development, and, ultimately, guide their discoveries onto a commercialization pathway. Innovator Fellows selected into the program will have the opportunity to be matched with experienced business mentors and access a robust network of industry partners to develop, validate, and demonstrate their technology, while plugging them into Breakthrough Energy’s world-class ecosystem of investors, technologists, and governments.

JOB DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW

Breakthrough Energy is searching for a Manager for the Technology Management Team to support the Breakthrough Energy Fellows Program. This position will report to the Director of Technology Management and work closely with the Breakthrough Energy Fellows to support their technical needs within the program. The position will require understanding of what it takes to plan and conduct high risk applied research and development.  This position will work closely with the Fellows to review their research plans, understand the details of their technical progress, and work collaboratively with the fellows to chart a path forward when technical hurdles arise. The role will include project management support, research, data analysis, writing, presentation development, and stakeholder engagement. It will require the ability to manage multiple deadlines, research and write briefing documents, and help expand the reach and scope of the team’s projects.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide technical subject-matter and project management expertise to recommend key technology metrics, track milestones, monitor budgets, and progress throughout the duration of the fellowship
• Monitor Fellows’ progress against their negotiated milestones, and assist the team by providing a variety of support functions to ensure successful implementation of that work
• Research technical fields, including identifying state-of-the-art technologies and promising new technical approaches
• Research and write initial drafts of both internal and external materials (presentations, memos, fact sheets, one-pagers, FAQs, etc.) and assist the team in finalizing those work products
• Synthesize portfolio-level analysis of Fellows progress, draft white papers, and make recommendations how to best use that information across Breakthrough Energy efforts
• Identify and execute day-to-day programmatic priorities, while keeping longer-term program considerations on the team’s radar
• Review proposals and support negotiations of selected projects, including advising on milestones and key deliverables

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Biochemical engineering experience in relevant clean energy sectors including advanced fuels production, material development, or food production
• Knowledge of biochemistry
• Ability to demonstrate creativity and resourcefulness when dealing with uncertainty and ask insightful questions that challenge traditional thinking
• Overall familiarity with the clean energy, climate, and environmental sector, including experience and passion towards scaling technologies from research to commercial application
• Knowledge of the energy/climate technology and innovation ecosystem and interest in supporting a global effort to find low carbon solutions that are reliable and affordable
• Ability to process/respond to a high volume of research/project requests with clarity and accuracy
• Ability to distill complex information into simple, consumable concepts
• Ability to design and implement organized, consistent processes
• Ability to effectively collaborate with the entire Breakthrough Energy Fellows team to ensure a successful, world-class program
• Exceptional interpersonal, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills
• Knowledge of biochemistry, or bio-based material science
• Experience designing a biochemical process with a focus on environmental concerns
• Experience in a hard to decarbonize sector such as cement, steel, agriculture, or fuels production
• Experience authoring technical papers and presentations for a variety of audiences
• Expertise in PowerPoint; proficient in using MS Outlook, Word, OneNote, and Excel
• Exceptional project management and facilitation skills
• Master’s degree required; PhD preferred; strong work tenure with around 5-8 years of relevant experience
• Entrepreneurial experience or experience at a clean technology or chemical process startup would be of particular interest
• Experience in managing programs; a strong ecosystem of contacts in the clean energy/climate space is favorable
• Location may be flexible within the U.S., preference for Washington DC, NY, or Denver
• This position will be required to travel approximately 20% for events such as internal meetings, industry conferences, partner meetings, and launch events. These needs will be both domestically and internationally. Trips may be a week in duration at times.
• Washington DC, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, or Seattle metro areas are preferred options for location (employees must be located in one of the Breakthrough Energy's hub locations prior to starting the position.)

Breakthrough Energy’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is also represented in our compensation philosophy. We are committed to offering starting salaries on the value of the position within the market. We do not believe salary should be based on a candidate’s ability to negotiate, previous salary history, or any other non-skills-based attributes. Breakthrough Energy believes that transparency is a pathway to achieving pay equity. We offer candidates a competitive compensation package that includes salary and generous benefits.

Breakthrough Energy will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Craig Staples at craig@breakthroughenergy.org.