Global Buildings Performance Network Technical Director

Global Buildings Performance Network
Technical Director
Paris, France
Full Time

About the Organization

The Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) is a new nonprofit organization working to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings sector. Because buildings currently account for 35-40% of global primary energy consumption, there is a significant opportunity for low-cost mitigation. The GBPN will inform key decision-makers in the U.S., Europe, China, and India, which collectively hold nearly two-thirds of the sector’s mitigation potential. The GBPN will offer a best practice exchange network on building energy performance, including energy code adoption, implementation, compliance, and complementary policies.

While building energy regulations are usually adopted at the national or regional level, these policies are almost always enforced locally, leading to a gap of information between the designers and implementers of building energy efficiency policies. The GBPN is uniquely structured to fill this knowledge gap through its global center and regional affiliates, such as the Building Performance Institute Europe (BPIE; www.bpie.eu), the Institute for Market Transformation in the U.S. (IMT; www.imt.org), and two additional regional hubs to be established in China and India. This structure brings together technical expertise from the local level with global research and analytics on cross-cutting topics. The GBPN’s dynamic and lean structure will allow the organization to respond opportunistically to local and regional policy needs.

The GBPN is a member of the ClimateWorks Network, a global family of organizations whose goal is to prevent dangerous climate change by working in the nations and economic sectors with the highest potential for low-carbon economic growth (www.climateworks.org). With a focus on knowledge sharing rather than advocacy, the GBPN will provide technical expertise to and linkages among organizations, partnering with the Network’s Regional Climate Foundations (RCFs). The GBPN will also work with Best Practice Network (BPN) partners, such as the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), the Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP), and the recently formed Institute for Industrial Productivity (IIP).

For more information, please visit www.globalbuildings.org .

Technical Director

GBPN seeks a highly skilled and motivated Technical Director to provide vision, direct management, and in-house peer review for its technical support and research program. Working in collaboration with GBPN’s four regional hubs, the Director will help develop and implement strategies that stimulate policy wins for building energy efficiency through effective international contracting and project management. As the organization’s principal technical voice, the Director will also take a lead role in cultivating relationships with technical experts in the field and other key stakeholders, and in disseminating best practice information in coordination with the Communications and Knowledge Director and local partners. The Director will be evaluated on the ability to identify and refine research needs among and across regions, the accessibility and efficacy of technical work products and tools for GBPN’s target audience of decision-makers in the policy and buildings communities, as well as the provision of ongoing support to GBPN initiatives. All activities will contribute to reductions in GHG emissions from the built environment, which will be the ultimate benchmark for the effectiveness of GBPN and its staff.

The Director will serve as a key resource to the regional hubs and ClimateWorks RCFs. A member of GBPN’s Executive Committee, the Director will report to the Executive Director and will oversee the day-to-day technical assistance operations of GBPN.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Technical Director will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

• Develop and coordinate GBPN’s global technical research strategy.

• Provide direct management of all global cross-cutting research:

o Draft terms of reference for technical studies, coordinate the assessment of proposals, and oversee the implementation and completion of technical studies.

o Identify gaps in existing resources and take the lead in managing and piloting research for global best practice information.

o Assist in the development and implementation of an outreach program to disseminate GBPN’s research and tools.

o Provide in-house peer review of reports and other deliverables to ensure that high quality, analytically rigorous technical work products emerge from GBPN’s regional hubs.

• Working in collaboration with the regional hubs and contracted experts, conduct research, develop region-specific analyses, and evaluate the effectiveness of private and/or public initiatives, including development and maintenance of a database of technical experts.

• Help organize workshops and stakeholder consultations on issues relevant to ongoing regulatory proceedings, studies, and network activities.

• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization, maintaining relationships and working directly with decision-makers in both government and the private sector.

Professional Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications:

Formal Qualifications:

• A research background in engineering, architecture, construction or related fields, preferably including a PhD in a relevant field

Work Experience:

• 15+ years work experience with at least 5-10 years of international experience in policy analysis and developing and executing strategic research agendas

• Experience in defining and reporting on best practices in energy performance in the building sector and demonstration of commitment to GBPN’s values, mission, and purpose

• 10+ years of experience managing teams, staff, and subcontractors

Management Track-Record:

• Strong facilitation and negotiation skills with experience creating collaboration and consensus among internal and external stakeholders

• Desire for and comfort with working in a collaborative environment.

• A successful track-record of managing global networks and collaborative ventures to drive national and international policy change at the highest levels

• A strong network among building performance and/or policy research, government, and private sector stakeholders

• Proven ability to apply sound political and strategic judgment in complex situations

• Comfort with qualitative and quantitative energy policy analysis

Communication & Teamwork:

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English and preferably one additional language

• Proven ability to present technical information to a non-technical audience, and demonstrated skill as an editor of technical and public research reports

• Professionalism, empathy, and the ability to work as part of a team, maintain a sense of humor, and interact with a diverse array of people

Personal Attributes

The following personal attributes are desired:

• Strong and detail-oriented organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced, startup environment

• Strong intellect, creativity, flexibility, drive, and entrepreneurial capabilities

• Willingness to engage in and comfort with frequent domestic and international travel

Compensation and Benefits

GBPN offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. The position will initially be available for three years, but extended upon the success of the initiative and Technical Director. The Technical Director will be located in Paris, France, with significant opportunity for international travel.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, interested candidates must follow the link below to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements. CEA Recruiting is assisting GBPN with their search for a Technical Director. Please direct all applications and inquiries to CEA Recruiting. This position will remain open until filled.

http://www.ceaconsulting.com/what/position_details.aspx?client=CEA&jobId=164

Note: Please submit all application materials in English.

The Global Buildings Performance Network is an equal opportunity employer.

CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit www.cearecruiting.com .