About Rare

Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive. We bring people together to address environmental challenges that are deeply intertwined with their communities. Through our behavior-centered approach, we build community action that drives a lasting impact on our planet.

About the Climate Culture Program

Rare's Climate Culture program focuses on creating a culture of climate action, through community, entertainment, and social-based initiatives. With a foundation in behavioral science, the program equips and engages the communities, creators, and partners who have the power to shift culture with the insights and tools that make high-impact climate-friendly lifestyle changes—in how we eat, get around, and power our lives—more popular, inclusive, appealing, and easier to adopt.

Position Overview

We are anticipating an early 2025 hire of an experienced and motivated Senior Director to lead our community-based climate initiatives in Boston. This director-level role will oversee two exciting initiatives. First, expand our SHINE initiative, which makes the clean energy economy and its benefits accessible to Boston’s environmental justice communities. Second, help lay the groundwork for a potential larger scope climate-resilience initiative called Resilient Roxbury, which aims to create Boston's first Community Resilience Hub through energy-efficient housing improvements, urban tree planting, and pollution reduction strategies, while focusing on the health and well-being of vulnerable communities in Roxbury​.

This is a unique opportunity to shape and replicate innovative climate solutions at the community level. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Climate Culture, the Senior Director of Community-Based Climate Initiatives will lead an existing Community-focused team of three personnel. In addition, the Resilient Roxbury initiative may require the hiring of an additional four roles. The Senior Director of Community-Based Climate Initiatives will be responsible for overseeing initiative strategy, stakeholder engagement, funding, and implementation of the strategy of both SHINE and Resilient Roxbury, with the SHINE initiative intended to scale beyond Boston to other communities over the next 2 years.

Key Responsibilities

• Initiative Leadership and Expansion: Lead and expand the SHINE initiative, working with local communities to increase solar installations and expand solar workforce development. Develop and support the potential Resilient Roxbury initiative, including leadership of climate action and pollution reduction strategies. Ensure alignment and coordination of all initiative components to achieve measurable outputs and outcomes.
• Community Engagement and Partnerships: Build and maintain strong partnerships with community groups, public agencies, non-profits, and local leaders to drive initiatives. Cultivate a strong SHINE Coalition and build collaborative opportunities with stakeholders for Resilient Roxbury. Foster intentional, transparent, and cohesive relationships across diverse groups.
• SHINE Strategic Vision and Growth: Shape the strategic vision for expanding SHINE to additional cities, including assessing community needs, adapting the model, and managing implementation. Collaborate with Rare's leadership on aligning both initiatives with Rare's long-term strategic goals. Tailor initiatives to different local contexts, especially in environmental justice communities.
• Stakeholder and Coalition Management: Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to align initiative goals, gather inputs, and ensure effective implementation. Lead the SHINE Coalition and Resilient Roxbury stakeholders in fostering deeper community ties and collective action. Demonstrate strong coalition leadership and coordination skills to ensure all components of the initiative are aligned and well-coordinated.
• Impact Measurement and Reporting: Develop metrics to assess community needs, evaluate initiative impact, and share successes with internal and external partners. Drive data collection and reporting in collaboration with partners such as the EPA and other community organizations.
• Fundraising and Resource Development: Collaborate with Rare’s Development team to secure funding from both government and philanthropic sources, including navigating complex federal funding opportunities like EPA grants and developing fundraising strategies with donors. Partner with the Development team in grant writing and relationship-building with funders. 
• Workforce Development: Develop and clarify sustainable career pathways for trainees in sectors related to renewable energy. Engage with employers and unions and manage the provision of ongoing support for trainees as they transition to long-term employment.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in community-based environmental programs, climate action, urban resilience, or a related field, along with years of team and leadership experience.
• Community Engagement Expertise: Strong skills in building coalitions and partnerships, with a track record of working effectively with diverse stakeholders, including community groups, non-profits, and public sector partners.
• Climate and Environmental Justice Experience: Understanding of climate and environmental justice issues, particularly as they impact marginalized communities. Experience working to address inequities through community-based climate initiatives, with a commitment to promoting equity and inclusion in climate resilience efforts.
• Technical proficiency: Ability to thoroughly absorb scientific and technical concepts and integrate them into decision-making and inclusive communications.
• Project Management: Demonstrated experience in developing, managing, and scaling complex projects, including ability to oversee budgets, timelines, and performance metrics.
• Fundraising and Grant Writing: Experience in resource development, including successfully securing grants and cultivating relationships with funders. ​​Experience in developing donor relationships. Experience in securing both public and private funding is a plus.
• Strategic Thinking and Flexibility: Ability to navigate ambiguity, adapt to changing needs, and develop strategic solutions for evolving community priorities.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate a vision for community action on climate that resonates with diverse audiences.

Rare is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic.