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

The Manager, Technical Review and Selection for the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program will play a key role in identifying and selecting the individuals and projects that join the Fellows program.

The Breakthrough Energy Fellows Recruitment and Selection team is responsible for the entire recruitment and selection cycle for the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program, from building stakeholder networks, to sourcing quality applicants, through technical review and ultimate selection of Fellows to participate in the program.

Primary responsibilities of this role include management of technical review process and ownership of various activities across the Recruitment and Selection team. The Manager will report to the Director of Fellows Recruitment and Selection. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Support the overall scaling and selection strategy for the BE Fellow program; including outreach consistent with the expansion of technical focus areas to pursue as well as global geographic target strategies
• Manage the internal and external technical review process for the Breakthrough Energy Fellows applications
  • Build strategy and recruit technical reviewers in applicable technology areas
  • Improve and hone technical review criteria
  • Develop processes and collaborate with other Fellows team members to guide down selection of applications based on technical reviewer feedback
• Lead process improvements to effectively manage technical review of Fellows applications
• Manage technical reviewer stakeholders, including engagement with internal and external stakeholders
• Lead quantitative and qualitative analysis of technical reviews
• Work with the Director to develop technical review priorities, engage BE partners and external stakeholders, coordinating adjustments as circumstances and needs evolve
• Own projects and workstreams related to technical selection and BE Fellows Recruitment and Selection team priorities
• Oversee the management of application system and CRM tools
• Support the building of strategic relationships, helping to source and foster contacts at referral institutions
• Represent the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program in technical review meetings, at events, and with strategic partners

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Deep knowledge of the climate-tech startup space with a preference of at least 4-5 years of relevant experience
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred
• Experience in climate-tech recruitment and selection cycles
• Excellent attention to detail
• Experience is systems / software tool management
• Creative problem-solving approach with the ability to navigate practical tradeoffs between risk management and achieving strategic goals
• Ability to effectively communicate with both internal and external stakeholders
• Able to produce excellent written communication and to create materials that represent the organization’s positions and priorities
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, inclusive workplace with matrix management
• 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 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.