Senior Program Manager, Climate

SecondMuse champions and supports the growth of future economies by designing and leading programs that involve workshops, events, mentorship networks, curriculum, and other efforts to build and grow community ecosystems. At the core of our community-sourced approach is a dedication to creating and fostering cohesive narratives and deep relationships throughout the ecosystem. We have organized innovation programs in over 100 countries and 250 cities, sourcing solutions from every corner of the world. Each program has challenged our teams to develop targeted approaches to find, and then support, visionary leaders with a diverse range of experiences, motivations and cultures. We invite you to help build with us--leverage our proven strategies to build strong communities and influence local, regional and global networks, and add your own contribution to our growing team and portfolio of programs.

The Opportunity

We believe that great talent thrives in fast-paced, high-performing, learning-oriented, and collaborative work environments. Embracing SecondMuse's core values of contributing to an open, inclusive, and joyful culture makes it easy to have our work centered around authentic relationships, which we believe are at the heart of unlocking human potential.

The Climate Group at SecondMuse is seeking a full-time Senior Program Manager to support the delivery of highly impactful entrepreneur support programs, including our NYC-based Climate Technology and Manufacturing program: Scale For ClimateTech. Supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and administered by SecondMuse and our partners at NextCorps, Scale For Climate Tech helps fast-track the commercialization of businesses with breakthrough climate technologies and further strengthens New York state as a hub for climate solutions. The program provides climate tech hardware innovators with immersive training on manufacturing and an extensive network of mentors, experts, investors, manufacturers, suppliers, and more – all dedicated to supporting business growth and commercialization and making manufacturing easier. We are currently completing our 5th Cohort of the program and are seeking a Senior Program Manager, with deep expertise and relationships in hardware and manufacturing, to oversee the design, development, and delivery of our 6th Cohort. Please visit our website (forclimatetech.org) for more information about the program, partners, and the innovative companies we have supported.

The Senior Program Manager will be responsible for the successful design and delivery of highly impactful programs in the Climate Group. Initially, the Senior Program Manager’s role will focus on the Scale For ClimateTech program and services, and expand as new programs come online. The role involves managing multiple projects, team members, timelines, and resources, ensuring deliverables are met on time and within budget. The Senior Program Manager will collaborate with the team at SecondMuse, our partners at NextCorps and NYSERDA, and our community of Advisors and Experts to (1) Design the next iteration of the program and services, applying the learnings from past program cycles and their deep expertise in hardware and manufacturing to increase our impact; (2) Help secure partners and resources to support delivery, leveraging their existing network and relationships in climatetech, hardware, and manufacturing; and (3) Oversee implementation - including outreach and recruitment; selection; onboarding; and the participation of the company’s in the program. At the completion of each program cycle, the Senior Program Manager will lead the SecondMuse team and partners through a reflection process on the program’s successes and areas for improvement and apply those learnings to ensure the continuous improvement of the program, processes, and services to increase our impact. The Senior Program Manager will build and manage external relationships with key stakeholders (including with clients, partners, and the advisory board) to support the program and participants, and bring their extensive knowledge, leadership, and strategy to extend our understanding of the role of climate solutions in driving innovation and economic development in New York and beyond.

Core Competencies

You will embody the following core competencies which will set you up for success in this role:

• Highly relational, driven by impact with an awareness of systems and collaborative spirit. Goes above and beyond to ensure inclusive practices, culture, and environment while operating within business and client realities.
• Advanced program management skills with experience designing and delivering entrepreneur support programs within the climate technology, hardware, and manufacturing spaces.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to align the Scale For ClimateTech program, and other programs within the Climate Group, with broader industry needs and organizational objectives.
• Proficiency in scaling highly impactful and inclusive programs and adapting to evolving challenges in the climate technology, hardware, and manufacturing sectors.
• Strong leadership and mentorship abilities, fostering team collaboration and guiding program participants towards success.
• Extensive experience in partnership development and client management, particularly in building long-lasting relationships and working with a wide range of stakeholders (such as clients, implementation partners, advisors, experts, investors, startups, manufacturers) in the wider climate technology, hardware, manufacturing, and startup communities..
• Advanced organizational and communication skills, and ability to prioritize among multiple and sometimes competing needs, and a proactive, collaborative, and team-oriented approach to problem-solving and program delivery.
• Advanced skills and experience communicating with external audiences across a variety of platforms.
• Deep expertise and established relationships in climatetech, hardware, and manufacturing; experience with innovation and entrepreneur support programs (i.e. incubators, accelerators, commercialization programs etc.); and knowledge of New York State’s climate and economic policies, programs, and goals.

Core Functions

The primary tasks and activities that you will carry out are:

• Oversee and manage the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of the Scale For ClimateTech program, and other initiatives of the Climate Group, in collaboration with internal teams and external partners, and in alignment with strategic objectives and industry needs.
• Manage multiple high-value and high-impact projects and program components, ensuring effective coordination of resources, timelines, and stakeholders.
• Develop and manage program plans, staffing plans, timelines, budgets, and other resources; Lead internal and external meetings, including with clients, partners, advisors, program participants, and stakeholders; plan for and oversee the production of all deliverables, ensuring they are adequately resourced, and delivered on time, within scope and budget; manage partners and clients, and secure new partners, as needed, for successful program delivery; oversee contract management, anticipate and proactively solve emergent challenges.
• Build deep, strategic partnerships with key program stakeholders (including Implementation partners, Subject Matter Experts, Contractors, Advisors, and more) and the wider climatetech, startup, and hardware communities on program delivery and to identify opportunities to build or scale programs.
• Apply learnings, feedback, and impact data from past program cycles to increase programmatic impact and strengthen our position in the market in collaboration with the Impact Manager for North America.
• Oversee outreach and recruitment efforts, selection processes, and onboarding for participants in the Scale For ClimateTech program, as well as other Climate Group programs, as needed, ensuring robust participation.
• Represent the Scale For ClimateTech program, and the Climate Group, internally and externally by attending and speaking at events and providing thought leadership on climatetech, innovation and entrepreneurship, hardware, and manufacturing. 
• Manage and liaise with internal marketing teams and external contractors to enhance the visibility and awareness of the Scale For ClimateTech program and impact, and the Climate Group’s work.

Core Responsibilities

The overall obligations and accountabilities that you will have within your role are:

• Ensure the success of the Scale For ClimateTech program (and other Climate Group programs, as needed) by overseeing all aspects of the program’s design, delivery, and continuous improvement across multiple cycles with a specific focus on optimizing for impact, network development, and providing unique value to the climatetech, startup, hardware, and manufacturing ecosystems.
• Leveraging your expertise and relationships in climatetech, hardware, and manufacturing, collaborate with the Sr. Director to inform the broader strategic goals of the Climate Group and SecondMuse. 
• Collaborate with the Sr. Director, Climate to determine the strategic direction of the Scale For ClimateTech program, and once set, operationalize the strategy ensuring alignment with the goals of the Climate Group and New York State’s climate and economic development priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with partners, clients, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders from the climate, tech, startup, innovation, economic development, hardware, and manufacturing communities, to ensure the Scale For ClimateTech program, and other Climate Group programs, have the support and resources needed for success.
• Oversee the work of the internal program delivery team, providing leadership, support, and direction, and ensuring that deliverables are completed on time and within scope and budget. Coordinate and align with internal departments, as needed, including finance, legal, HR, and marketing to ensure seamless and efficient delivery of the program.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to program participants, guiding them toward successful commercialization and scaling of their climate tech solutions.
• Drive the public profile and visibility of the Scale For ClimateTech program, the Climate Group, and SecondMuse by representing the work externally, including at events and conferences, and by supporting external communications and public relations efforts.
• Contribute to the broader climate tech ecosystem by positioning New York as a global hub for climate technology innovation.

Work Environment

• This role is part of a remote, NYC-based team that works on a North America schedule with bi-annual global calls with the full company. Occasional evening work may be required outside of typical business hours to accommodate program meetings, events, and other needs, as well as conversations with global SecondMuse colleagues. 
• Reports to the Senior Director of Climate; collaborates closely with the Senior VP of North America.
• Requires some periodic travel, primarily within New York State, for in-person meetings and program delivery work.

Strong organizational, communication, and management skills are essential for this role. The ideal candidate will be highly relational, strategic, collaborative, and team-oriented, and have extensive expertise and a strong network in climatetech, hardware, and manufacturing.

Experience comes in many different forms. At SecondMuse, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community of individuals with a wide range of backgrounds. As guidance, we prefer applicants to have at least eight years of experience in program management and strategy, including at least 2 years of experience in a leadership role. Experience in hardware and manufacturing and working with startups and climatetech entrepreneur support programs; knowledge of innovation and economic development, climate solutions, climate equity and justice, and tech; and familiarity with New York State climate and economic development goals required. Proficiency with program management and collaboration tools, such as Asana, Slack, Miro, and Google Workplace are essential.

Our Commitment to Pay Equity

This role offers an annual base salary range of $100,000 - $120,000, and a comprehensive benefits package. At SecondMuse, we believe in fairness and transparency, so we have a no-negotiation policy to prevent bias and ensure wage equality. However, SecondMuse may adjust the salary based on a candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, or geographic location. All compensation information will be discussed in detail before your first team interview to ensure alignment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with up to 50% employer contribution
• 401(k) with employer 3% guaranteed employer contribution after 90 days
• Employer monthly mobile phone contribution
• Flexible work options
• Unlimited discretionary paid time off after the first 90 days 
• At least 12 paid holidays annually 
• Generous paid parental leave programs for all new parents
• Short-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance programs

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SecondMuse provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We strongly encourage BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), women, LGBTQIA+ identifying, and people with disabilities to apply.