About us 

Driven by a passion to solve the climate crisis, The Sunrise Project US 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. The Sunrise Project US is a fiscally sponsored project of the Windward Fund, and works in close coalition with The Sunrise Project, headquartered in Australia, and its affiliates in Europe. We have developed a unique model of grant making and campaigning that supports networks of organizations to drive powerful change towards our mission.

The Sunrise Project US has 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 all kinds of bodies and talents to apply. We are continually working on becoming a better workplace for everyone. 

About the role

This is an exciting new role to lead Sunrise Project efforts to support increased accountability, oversight and regulation of financial flows to fossil fuels in the US. This role will work with a nascent but growing coalition focused on driving US federal policy and regulations through key agencies including Treasury, the Federal Reserve, the SEC and others. This position will work closely with our global central banks campaign and serve as an organizational lead for other federal policy issues and key DC-based relationships relevant to existing campaign efforts. 

About you 

You’re a passionate changemaker with a track record of leading campaigns that achieve real world change. You’re a big picture systems thinker who understands power and how a wide range of different organizations and strategies can combine to achieve large scale system change. You also have networks and a deep understanding of how US federal policy and key agencies operate.

You don’t need to be an expert in finance or financial regulation but you’ve got a top level understanding of how the finance system works, how policy change happens, and the role civil society can play in driving that change - from grassroots organizing and pressure campaigns to sophisticated policy analysis and elite engagement strategies.

You’re a strong facilitator, have a collaborative mindset and know what it takes to bring together networks to drive real world change. 

Key responsibilities and tasks

• Support a network of NGOs and other stakeholders to win major shifts in US financial regulation that will shift finance out of fossil fuels;

• Work with allies to develop strategy and build alignment between diverse networks of actors spanning elite engagement and outside pressure strategies;

• Convene and facilitate network discussions and support the timely implementation of plans involving a wide range of different organisations;

• Manage a grants portfolio in support of movement efforts to deliver financial regulation that will curb or eliminate fossil fuel finance and investment;

• Ensure strong coordination between this program and other parts of the Sunrise Network finance program;

Required skills and experience

• At least 5 years of experience as a lobbyist or campaigner in Washington D.C. working on federal policy with experience operating in, or running, coalition efforts;

• A collaborative mindset and a track record of working effectively in alliance with diverse stakeholders.

• A sophisticated understanding of power and campaign strategy, and the ability to articulate strategies in a clear and compelling way; 

• A strong understanding of US federal policy and regulatory agencies; 

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills including a track record of coordinating stakeholders in pursuit of campaign objectives;

• Excellent group facilitation skills; 

• Demonstrated ability to manage programs and budgets;

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• A detailed understanding of how financial regulation is implemented through key agencies and the role various branches of the federal government have in passing and implementing federal policy is highly beneficial but is not a strict requirement of the role.  
  

If you meet some but not all of the criteria for this position, 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.

Location 

U.S.; remote. This work is primarily in Washington D.C. An eligible candidate must have full working rights in the country from which they apply.

Remuneration 

Depending on experience (including unpaid and other experiences) and capacity to take on responsibility, the salary range for a US-based position is $99,700 - $108,000.

Windward Fund’s Excellent benefits package includes 401(k) employer match; 100% employer paid health, vision and dental coverage; and generous vacation policy.

How Sunrise U.S. supports its staff

The Sunrise Project US 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 leave

• 12 weeks parental leave after 12 months of service

• Commitment to supporting 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

To apply 

In our commitment to inclusive hiring of the best candidates, we use the Be Applied hiring system to process applications. Start your application here.

The Applied system reduces the opportunity for unconscious bias in allowing for anonymized reviews of responses to work sample questions. This means we assess candidates on how well they strategize and communicate on relevant work. You will be required to upload a CV or resume and will be asked several questions that will be related to the role you are applying for. There is no requirement to submit a cover letter.

Statement from our US Fiscal Sponsor Windward Fund

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. WindwardFund‘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