Location: The location is flexible for the right candidate however we have a preference for this role to be based in the US. An eligible candidate must be legally authorized to work in the country in which they apply to work. The Sunrise Project will not sponsor applicants for employment visas.

Remuneration: Depending on experience (including unpaid and other experiences) and capacity to take on responsibility, the salary range is $99,700-108,000 annually.  If the successful candidate is outside of the United States, the salary will be adjusted based on local market equivalencies. Windward Fund’s excellent benefits package includes 401(k) employer match; 100% employer paid health, vision and dental coverage; and generous vacation policy.

Hours: Full time 

Overtime Status: Exempt 

Start Date: May 1st, 2022

About us

Driven by a passion to solve the climate crisis, The Sunrise Project U.S. is a team of experienced change-makers, researchers and communications professionals with a mission to scale social movements to drive the global transition beyond fossil fuels. With affiliated programs and staff in Australia and Europe, we have developed a unique model of grant making and campaigning that supports networks of organizations to drive powerful change towards our mission. 

We have a dynamic and nimble organizational culture and we’re serious about supporting our people to thrive. We move fast and lean into the urgency of the climate challenge.

We believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives will help us build stronger strategies, teams and movements. We strongly encourage First Nations people, people of color, people living outside of cities, and people with disabilities to apply. We are continually working on becoming a better workplace for everyone. 

About you

You’re a creative, big picture thinker with a hunger to solve the climate crisis who understands you also need to roll up your sleeves and do the work to make change happen. You’ve got a track record of leading effective campaigns that win real world outcomes and are passionate about driving the shift of finance out of fossil fuels. You have a knack for understanding complex systems and a deep understanding of how social movements work, including how research, policy and grassroots organizing combine to achieve change. You’re a great facilitator and a skilled collaborator and are able to work effectively with people from all walks of life – from community activists through to politicians and business leaders. If you’re not already an expert in private equity but you’ve got the ability to rapidly master complex financial, policy, regulatory and political dynamics. Most importantly you are a leader people believe in, you’re generous and caring, provide wise-counsel and can have sensitive and difficult conversations which leave your relationships stronger.

About the role

The Senior Strategist, Private Equity is a new senior role within The Sunrise Project global investor team that is responsible for managing the inception, design and delivery of a new campaign strategy to shift private equity away from fossil fuels and proactively contributes to the vibrant organizational culture of the Sunrise Project. This role is our first hire for a new corporate campaign on private equity which has emerged as a buyer of last resort for fossil fuels globally. This role will help develop a campaign plan working with a network of existing partners and potentially identify new capacity required to take on this critical industry.

Senior Strategists are highly experienced leaders with a canny grasp of politics, policy and strategy, with strong analysis, facilitation, management, and campaign skills. The role of the Senior Strategist is to take responsibility for developing and executing strong program strategies that support movement partners to create effective campaigns and initiatives that create real world change towards our shared goals, while also ensuring that the movement is more than the sum of its parts.  

We support networks of organizations to work together to achieve outcomes that would not be possible by individual organizations acting alone. We expect all roles at Sunrise to actively support the capacity building of these networks and partner organizations. 

Key responsibilities 

• Commission analysis to understand the dynamics of private equity finance companies and their investment in fossil fuels;

• Develop a compelling strategy, theory of change, and campaign plan for shifting leading private equity companies beyond fossil fuels;

• Build and execute on the campaign plan for shifting private equity by, amongst other things, working with and expanding an existing network of partners to build out a global coalition capable of planning and executing campaign tactics and interventions to deliver campaign outcomes;

• Manage budgets and grantmaking necessary to execute the campaign;

• Plan for any additional campaign staff necessary to implement your high impact strategies to drive stronger climate action in the private equity sector;

• Actively nurture a creative, dynamic and supportive culture in the global finance team as you work across campaign teams and the wider organization;

• Work collaboratively with other parts of the Sunrise team, specifically the banks, financial regulation, and bonds teams, to identify and support opportunities for synergy and to ensure we have the biggest collective impact possible; 

• Build and maintain high level relationships with civil society and business leaders and represent the organization in public fora as required.

Required skills and experience 

*note a detailed understanding of the key trends and market dynamics impacting global finance is not a requirement of the role*

• At least seven years’ experience in a similar or related campaign role, including unpaid, grassroots or lived experience;

• A passion for action on climate change and a commitment to social justice;

• A sophisticated understanding of corporate power in relation to climate change action (and inaction);

• Excellent people management skills and a track record of leading high performing teams;

• A collaborative mindset and a proven ability to work effectively in alliance with diverse stakeholders;

• Excellent interpersonal communication and group facilitation skills;

• The ability to develop and clearly articulate effective strategies to drive change in complex systems.

If you meet some but not all of the criteria for this position, are unsure, but you’re keen on the role - please get in touch. We value and recognize experience that has been unpaid, from the grassroots or is lived experience.

How Sunrise supports its staff:
The Sunrise Project U.S. is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. We have the following in place to help us achieve that:

• 401(k) & employer match

• 100% employer paid health, vision and dental coverage

• Four weeks of vacation leave

• Birthday leave (if it’s your birthday, you get a day off)

• Cultural & solidarity leave

• 12 weeks parental leave after 12 months of service

• Commitment to supporting to your professional development

• Access to an Employee Assistance Program

• Coaching and management support with regular 1:1 meetings

• Performance reviews and feedback to support you and the team to reflect and grow

• A co-developed initial 3-month work plan to help you hit the ground running and have clarity on your role and responsibilities

• Flexible work policy

 About Windward Fund, Our Fiscal Sponsor 

Sunrise US is a project of Windward Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. Windward Fund is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. Windward Fund ‘s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working. 

To center the safety and well-being of its employees, Windward Fund requires that any employee who is required to conduct in-person activities for their job must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within two weeks of their start date.  This position may require candidates to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  Accommodations may be sought and approved in accordance with the law by contacting human resources at hr@windwardfund.org.