Location: Remote; Global. Must be committed to meeting regularly with staff and partners in the US (most frequently), Europe (at least weekly), and East Asia (less frequently/rarely).  

Remuneration:Depending on experience (including unpaid and other experiences) and capacity to take on responsibility, the salary range United States: 112k-120k USD, the United Kingdom: 68k-74k GBP, Netherlands: 80k-86k EUR, If the successful candidate is outside of these locations, the salary will be adjusted based on local market equivalencies.

About Us

Driven by a passion to solve the climate crisis, The Sunrise Project 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 programs and staff in Australia, and affiliated programs and staff in Europe, and the US, we have developed a unique model of grant making and campaigning that supports networks of organisations to drive powerful change towards our mission. Our Global Finance Program aims to drive a rapid shift of capital out of fossil fuels in order to hasten the transition to clean energy.

We have a dynamic and nimble organisational culture and we’re serious about supporting our people to thrive as we tackle the urgent climate challenge.

We believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives will help us build stronger strategies, teams and movements. We take the broadest possible view of diversity and encourage First Nations people, people of colour, people living outside of cities, people living with disabilities, neurodiverse, and LGBTQIA+ people to apply.  We are continually working on becoming a better workplace for everyone. You can read our commitment to this work here. 

About the Role

The Senior Strategist contributes to the development of, and leads on the execution of a global campaign focused on shifting institutional investors—asset owners and managers—into a position that drives Paris-aligned climate action that is grounded in respect for human rights. 

This position focuses particularly on our work with Asset Managers. They will work with our N America, Europe and Asia  Senior Strategists, and with strategists from other Sunrise programmes to 1) Develop and implement a detailed plan to execute our global strategy; 2) Identify, recruit and support the right mix of partners needed to execute the campaign; 3) Monitor and report back on campaign results. 

We support networks of organisations to work together to achieve outcomes that would not be possible by individual organisations acting alone. We expect all roles at Sunrise to actively support the capacity building of these networks and partner organisations, to ensure they have the right tools and resources to help them achieve campaign goals.

About You

You’re a natural campaigner, creative thinker with a track record of making change happen. You have a strong strategic sense and an understanding of how power works in the world and want to shift the role of corporate power in our society. 

You can develop campaign strategy, build and support a team, manage multiple concurrent projects, across time zones and continents and also feel comfortable working effectively in collaborative teams. You have some familiarity with how financial institutions support the expansion of fossil fuels, either through your experience as a campaigner, in the government, or through your work in the financial sector. 

You’ve got exceptional networking and interpersonal communication skills and are just as comfortable working with grassroots climate activists as with senior finance industry professionals. 

Key Responsibilities

• Leads on the development and implementation of high-impact campaign strategies to drive stronger investor action on climate. Ensure campaign priorities are aligned with the global Investors Program strategy;

• Leads on high performance, collaborative and sustainable teamworking by fostering Sunrise’s culture and hiring, managing and developing talented individuals;

• Manages relationships with grantees and with others in the  movement to drive stronger investor action on climate; 

• Proactively supports the emergence of a more informed, effective, cohesive and powerful network of groups and individuals working to drive investor action on climate change.

• Works collaboratively with other parts of the Sunrise team and identify and support opportunities for synergy across team and program areas to ensure we have the biggest collective impact possible;

• Proactively contributes to the overall strategic direction of The Sunrise Project including programmatic direction, development and incubation of new strategies and leadership on our commitment to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion;

• Conducts or manages a process to secure detailed research to underpin focused and effective campaign strategies;

• Writes or commission briefing papers, campaign plans, investor guidance, news bulletins and other materials as required;

• As needed, builds and maintains relationships with key civil society and philanthropic leaders and networks, and represent the organisation in meetings and public fora;

• Manages risk and meet compliance obligations associated with the work;

• Aligns campaign strategies with Sunrise’s mission, Values and OKRs.

Required skills, knowledge and experience    

• Advanced level  campaigning experience in a similar or related role including unpaid, grassroots or lived experience;

• Demonstrated track record of managing campaign alliances and external partnerships;

• Proven track record of facilitating productive discussions among a range of participants;

• Ability to analyse and discuss finance; 

• Strong verbal and written English;

• A strong grasp of campaign strategy, system thinking and the ability to articulate strategies in a clear and compelling way; 

• Ability to thrive in a high-paced environment;

• A passion for taking action on climate change and a deep commitment to social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable

• Demonstrated experience managing campaign implementation at a regional or global level;

• A familiarity with how investors operate and the drivers and dynamics they interact with.

Job requirements

• You must have full working rights for the country you are employed in.  The Sunrise Project is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.

• Employment background checks may be required.

• Intermittent travel with advanced notice may be required.

• COVID-19 vaccinations may apply in accordance with local legislation and/or Sunrise policy

How Sunrise supports its staff:

For successful candidates employed in the U.S.: 

• 401(k) & employer match

• 100% employer paid health, vision and dental coverage

• Five weeks of vacation leave

• Paid Parental Leave that is gender-neutral & inclusive of all types of families, incl. Parental Return To Work & Keeping In Touch Program

• Life Leave (up to 40 days p.a. for significant personal reasons)

• Flexible Working Policy

• Floating public holidays (cultural leave)

• Employee Assistance Program

• VIDA - An AI tool to support your health and wellbeing.

• A range of generous Allowances:

• Workspace Benefits incl: Macbook & accessories, initial $2,000 for home workspace and IT equipment + $800 every 2 years + up to $75/mth phone/data/internet.

• Shared office support

• Regular all-org and team meetings & retreats

• Learning & Development Program incl. a professional development budget for you

• Coaching & manager support with regular 1:1 meetings

• Annual performance & development reviews with 360 feedback

• A co-developed work plan to ensure clarity on your role & key responsibilities

• We provide our staff with a voice on issues that concern them via consultation, eg JEDI caucuses, working groups, slack channels, surveys and meetings.

For successful candidates employed outside of the U.S. and Australia: 

(noting that the benefits listed may vary in accordance with the Professional Employment Organisation (PEO) we engage with for this role)

• Statutory benefits and entitlements of the country/province in which you are employed.

• Sunrise may provide additional benefits, where in-country entitlements are less than our standard package, where applicable including:

• Paid Parental Leave that is gender-neutral & inclusive of all types of families, incl. Parental Return To Work & Keeping In Touch Program

• Life Leave (up to 40 days p.a. for significant personal reasons)

• Public Holiday + Cultural Leave

• Workspace Benefits incl: Macbook & accessories, initial $2,000 (or equivalent in local currency) for home workspace & IT equipment + $800 (or equivalent in local currency) every 2 years + up to $75/mth phone/data/internet.

• Shared office support

Additionally we offer:

• Flexible Working Policy

• VIDA - An AI tool to support your health and wellbeing.

• Regular all-org and team meetings & retreats

• Learning & Development Program incl. a professional development budget for every staff member

• Coaching & manager support with regular 1:1 meetings

• Annual performance & development reviews with 360 feedback

• A co-developed work plan to ensure clarity on your role & key responsibilities

• We provide our staff with a voice on issues that concern them via consultation, caucuses, working groups, and surveys