Reporting to the Executive Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) and working closely with its Founding Director and Board Chair, the Board Secretariat will serve as a communications conduit for board members and lead, shape, and manage the advisory board. The incumbent will develop and manage all related processes, strengthening board member engagement and organizing related functions, meetings, and associated programs. The Board Secretariat will also draft a monthly newsletter, organize a quarterly expert briefings series, roll out sub-committees, and generate additional materials as needed.
The Board Secretariat will require excellent interpersonal, organizational, and oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to exercise discretion, independent judgment, strategic thinking, and trusted handling of confidential information. Interest in the mission of the Center and Columbia/SIPA is key. Knowledge of the global energy system and issues related to energy and climate policy is preferred. The position will report to the Center???s Executive Director.
A particular focus for the organization is the impact of issues of racism, environmental justice, gender equality, and inclusion in our energy system. The Center supports a culturally diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment, reflected across our staffing, leadership, scholarship and operations.
Responsibilities
In close coordination with the Founding Director, Executive Director, Research Director, Board Chair, and Senior Director of Development, lead, shape, and manage relations with the Advisory Board. Develop and manage all related processes, strengthening member engagement and communications.
Plan and execute biannual Advisory Board meetings, and quarterly Executive Committee meetings, ensuring objectives are achieved. Develop agendas, timelines, logistics, presentation decks, and talking points for the Founding Director, Executive Director and Board Chair, as well as pre-read materials. Brainstorm and select topics and speakers for content presentations within meetings. Prepare meeting minutes and follow up on next steps.
Lead and oversee policies and processes for board appointments, including onboarding, orientation, and renewal and end-of-term materials.
Conduct outreach to former board members, developing a cycle and structure of engagement opportunities.
Oversee board member participation, liaising with their support staff to confirm details of their participation for associated meetings and events. Monitor and track engagement.
Contribute to strategic briefings, presentations, talking points, and strategy for the Founding Director, Executive Director, Research Director and Board Chair in relation to board agenda items.
Collaborate with the Founding Director, Executive Director and Board Chair regarding board-term strategy, reviewing and strategizing board terms and following through on execution.
Conduct background on prospective board members and coordinate meetings and review with the nominating committee, keeping an eye out for diversity and driving decision-making. Cultivate new relationships for future prospects.
Roll out subcommittees on specific research areas and strategic planning, setting agendas, meeting cadence, and member selection.
Cross-functionally work with teams across the organization to identify new opportunities that would benefit from board participation and liaise with members??? offices to facilitate their engagement across programs and strategic events.
Develop a board portal, uploading materials and the forthcoming meeting calendar and communicating to members.
Draft monthly newsletters that showcase the work of the Center, garnering feedback across teams and working with the Founding Director???s office for dissemination.
Organize and lead quarterly expert briefings on timely energy topics.
Serve as a conduit for board input, hosting individual meetings with members.
Provide analytical, tactical, and specialized administrative support and strategic planning to relieve the Founding Director and Executive Director of and/or assist with complex details and administrative duties. Keep abreast of the Founding Director and Executive Director???s plans with board members, identify conflicts, flag problems for intervention and correct course as appropriate.
Lead with integrity and maintain the highest standards of confidentiality.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor???s degree or equivalent and 4-6 years of directly related professional experience with organizations focused on energy, sustainable development, and/or geopolitics.
Four years of relevant experience, including demonstrated ability to work with VPs, Executives, and Board Members.
Significant project management experience, alongside demonstrated ability to plan and organize high-level meetings.
Excellent stakeholder management skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
Strong research, writing, and communication skills.
Superior interpersonal and collaborative skills.
Strategic planning and problem-solving skills.
Ability to exercise discretion and handle confidential information.
Ability to work under pressure on competing responsibilities with resilience, discretion, and diplomacy.
Ability to streamline and implement new systems and processes.
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team in a hybrid work environment.
Ability to utilize computer technology for communication, data gathering and reporting activities, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google platform, Slack, etc.
Ability to foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree in policy, economics, international relations or a related field.
Additional years of directly related professional experience with organizations focused on energy, climate change and/or geopolitics.
High energy, hands-on, action-oriented, relationship-focused personality that will drive for results.
Strong orientation towards data analytics.
Exposure to international development.
Familiarity with corporate sustainability or social responsibility programs.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.
