Partnerships Manager

The Clean Fight is a not-for-profit business accelerator working to significantly speed the growth of the inclusive clean energy economy of New York State and beyond. Our mission is to innovate models of adoption to accelerate the deployment of climate solutions. Given that many of the technologies we need to solve the climate crisis already exist, it’s imperative that we ensure they are adopted quickly, and at scale. To enable this adoption, The Clean Fight creates, runs, and iterates different programs (models of adoption) to identify which can have the greatest impact, at speed.

The Clean Fight currently has two core programs. The accelerator program plays an important role in the New York State innovation ecosystem as the only accelerator focused on growth-stage companies, providing an essential next step for innovative climate companies looking to move from initial deployment to broad market adoption. We help them to quickly scale in NY by providing tailored support, high-touch customer and capital partner matchmaking, and non-dilutive investments to help with demonstration projects and deployments. Each cohort focuses on a different part of the clean energy economy: our practice areas include buildings and energy storage. We’ll be launching a new practice area in Fall 2023. Our second program, The Empire Technology Prize, is a $10M prize program focused on the development and deployment of leapfrog decarbonization solutions for New York’s tall buildings. Currently in development, The Empire Technology Prize will look to solve one of New York’s thorniest climate problems - reducing the 70% of NYC and 40% of New York State’s greenhouse gas emissions that come from buildings. By focusing the world’s best innovators on this issue, we hope not only to collapse the time to market for these crucial technologies, but to provide a blueprint for other markets in the US and globally to do the same.

We are supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). We are a chapter of New Energy Nexus, an international not-for-profit that strives to achieve a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the population in the shortest time possible by supporting diverse clean energy entrepreneurs with funds, accelerators, and networks, operating programs in the US, China, India, Southeast Asia, and East Africa.

About The Role

The Partnerships Manager will work with the Director of Partnerships and the Partnerships Associate as well as other members of The Clean Fight team to help design and execute our partnerships model across programs. Each practice area focuses on a different part of the clean energy economy - accordingly, a different group of partners needs to be identified and convened for each program to maximize the ability of our cohort companies to secure commercial, funding, and other opportunities.

The Partnerships Manager will develop and manage a network of customer, capital, and influencer partners. The person in this role will lead outreach and manage day-to-day relationships with partners.

The Partnerships Manager reports to the Director of Partnerships and may have direct reports down the road but will not have any initially. We compensate competitively and offer generous medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as a 401(k) contribution. The position is based in New York City. The team has an office near Madison Square Park at Rise New York and works together in-person two days a week, with flexible hybrid options on other days. Unfortunately, relocation assistance is not available.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is passionate about accelerating the adoption of climate solutions and helping the market meet its decarbonization goals. They have hands-on experience with developing partnerships and/or relationship/account management as well as project management experience. Ideally, the Partnerships Manager has experience in the climate / clean energy business sector. They thrive in a dynamic environment by being a fast learner willing to roll up their sleeves; they’re self-motivated, solutions-oriented, resourceful, and able to prioritize and multitask.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design of the partnerships model with a focus on innovating new approaches for valuable connectivity
• Execute a world-class partnerships program, in collaboration with the Director of Partnerships, focused on adding real and unique value
• Lead partner recruitment and fulfillment across multiple programs (e.g., market research, building a lead list, designing outreach strategies, managing contracting, etc.)
• Build day-to-day relationships with key program partners, including customer partners, capital partners, and influencers
• Evaluate the needs of partners in order to develop and deliver high-quality programming and to identify valuable resources to support their goals
• Assess and monitor best practices in the accelerator and climate worlds to ensure we’re pioneering a best-in-class partner ecosystem
• Establish, maintain, and scale systems and processes for client relationship management, network mapping, and impact tracking
  

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience building strategic partnerships and impactful networks, particularly in accelerators, philanthropy, non-profits, government, or VC
• Deeply curious and keen to make meaningful connections that build community, add business value, and create network effects
• Relevant experience in client service, relationship management, business development, and/or as a community manager managing key relationships and understanding and supporting needs
• Ability to identify and track relevant KPIs and impact metrics
• Detail-oriented, proactive, collaborative, and strives for excellence
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Solutions-oriented and resourceful in an all-hands-on-deck work environment
• Proven project management in lean, complex, fast-paced environments
• Experience and confidence with project planning and relationship management tools, e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Airtable, Notion, Asana, and/or Zendesk
• Experience working in clean energy and/or climate solutions also valued
• Bachelor's degree
  

Benefits

Compensation

Competitive compensation ($90,000-125,000 to start) and generous benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid parental leave, unlimited PTO, paid holidays, and 401(k) with company contribution.

How to Apply

We value and celebrate diversity among our employees and in our movement. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer - all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, family/marital status, or veteran status. To be considered, please submit your resume and a cover letter expressing why you’re right for the role in Workable.