Innovation Pilots Director (Nonprofit Cleantech Incubator)

Los Angeles, CA
Full Time
Manager/Supervisor

  

About LACI 

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a nonprofit organization creating an inclusive green economy by unlocking innovation (through working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies), transforming markets (through catalytic partnerships in zero emission transportation, clean energy and sustainable cities) and enhancing communities (through workforce development, pilots and other programs). Originally founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world. Learn more at laci.org

About LACI’s Innovation Pilots

LACI launched our Innovation Pilots program in 2019 to test market-ready technology, business model and policy model innovations at the community level to surface learnings that can help scale those solutions more widely in the LA region and beyond. Through these pilots LACI brings together startups, corporate partners, local governments and community-based organizations to deploy, test, and increase utilization of zero emission transportation, clean energy, and sustainable cities solutions, with the aim of identifying scalable solutions that further the goals of LACI’s Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP), Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) and focus on sustainable cities. Past and current pilots have tested electric vehicle car share models, e-bike lending library models, neighborhood electric vehicle shuttle services, e-cargo van rentals, and the deployment of induction stoves in low-income single-family and multi-unit dwellings.

Position Summary:

The Director of Innovation Pilots is a critical member of LACI’s Market Transformation team, responsible for fundraising for and guiding the development, implementation and evaluation of  Innovation Pilots to scale the utilization and deployment of cutting-edge clean technology solutions. The Director of Innovation Pilots reports to the Executive Vice President Market Transformation, supervises the Innovation Pilots Team, and is a part of LACI’s Director Team.

What You’ll Do:

  • Staff and Consultant Management: Manage staff (currently 2) to ensure that they are actively engaged in and supporting the Innovation Pilots  as appropriate with their Job Descriptions, and to actively cultivate  growth and career pathing opportunities, as appropriate.  Additionally, hire and manage interns and consultants, as needed.
  • Oversee LACI-led Innovation Pilots:   Lead the LACI Pilots Coordinating Team (PCT), a cross-departmental team of LACI staff, to vet, monitor and oversee pilot selection, design, delivery and decommissioning. Present updated information on the Innovation Pilots to the PCT to solicit feedback and recommendations. Standardize the resources in LACI’s Pilots Toolkit, ensuring clear processes from pilot conceptualization to wrap-up. Assess pilot risk and develop strategies for de-risking deployment, working closely with the PCT, EVP of Market Transformation, and the CEO.  
  • Mange full-cycle pilot process including
    • Pilot Conceptualization: Collaborate with LACI subject matter experts to develop innovative pilot concepts. Identify community partners.Establish impact goals and success metrics for Innovation Pilots. Create comprehensive budgets. 
    • Pre-Pilot Preparation: Oversee selection of technology partners. Lead the purchase of selected technologies, including preparing draft contracts and purchase orders in collaboration with Legal Counsel. Work with LACI subject matter experts to identify opportunities to engage LACI partners in the implementation of pilots. Oversee the creation of an Implementation Plan for each pilot and execute pilot launch events (with Marketing & Communications and Government Affairs)
    • Pilot Implementation: Oversee the execution of the Implementation Plan for each pilot including problem-solving throughout the process.Identify strategic opportunities to increase utilization of technologies. Report on progress and budget to key stakeholders, partners, and funders. Provide timely insights on pilots for LACI website and social media.
    • Post Pilot Wrap-Up: Lead pilot transition planning to promote scalability and technology adoption.  Oversee final reporting of pilot learnings and dissemination of learnings. Spearhead the development and implementation of strategies to take pilot learnings to drive scalable solutions through policy, funding, and partnerships.  
  • Budgeting and Grant Writing/Management: Create the annual budget for pilots. Identify and assess prospective funding opportunities (government, corporate and foundation), and lead relevant grant writing opportunities (with Development Team). Oversee the management of multiple grants secured for pilot deployment. Oversee fulfillment of reporting requirements for each grant funded pilot.
  • Startup Engagement: Support LACI startups and the Unlocking Innovation team by facilitating connections and opportunities for pilot deployments and partnerships, where appropriate.

Why You’re Right for the Job:

  • You are passionate about cleantech: You have an interest in making the world a cleaner, safer and better place to live in through clean technologies. 
  • You are a strategic thinker: You have a proven ability to analyze complex situations, set  goals, solve problems, and lead with clarity  through changing variables.
  • You are adaptable: You are comfortable navigating ambiguity and working in agile environments to achieve project goals.
  • You enjoy working with community-based organizations and technology providers to support the needs of communities in the Los Angeles region. 
  • You are a systems person: You are excited about supporting pilots to identify what works and what doesn’t work with the end goal of applying these learnings to scale the adoption of cleantech solutions throughout the LA region and beyond.

Requirements:

Basically, we want to know you can get the job done. This means you have:

  • BA/BS degree required
  • 6+ years related work experience
  • Previous work planning and implementing clean technology pilots
  • Superior organizational and project management skills, including ability to assess dependencies, manage details, adhere to deadlines, and follow up on action items
  • Proven experience in managing project budgets both large and small
  • Strong ability to manage direct reports as well as manage sideways and up to ensure mutual success as LACI’s matrixed organization requires cross collaboration across other programs and teams
  • Approach opportunities and challenges with an empowered, resourceful mindset
  • Ability to be flexible in approach and pivot when necessary to achieve project objectives
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain professional relationships
  • Experience building and supporting coalitions that include community-based organizations
  • Ability to meet tight deadlines and work professionally and calmly under pressure
  • Proven experience in state, federal, corporate and/or philanthropic fundraising
  • Commitment to excellence and to the mission of LACI

Preferred Qualifications

  • Understanding of the communities throughout LA County in which LACI is currently implementing pilots (San Pedro, South Central, Boyle Heights, Warner Center)
  • Knowledge of project implementation requirements with city and county governments

Work Requirements

  • This role operates in a hybrid capacity and must work onsite from Downtown LA office at least 3 days/week
  • Some travel required across Los Angeles County

Position Details:

This is a full-time position, starting immediately. LACI operates out of the La Kretz Innovation Campus, in the bustling Downtown LA Arts District. Since we are rapidly growing, you will be getting in on the ground floor at LACI, with the opportunity to evolve with us and shape your future here. Some travel may be required.

Salary Range: Director Range $98-108k commensurate with experience, education, skills, etc and total compensation package including health benefits, 401k match, professional development, commuter benefits and more.

In addition to working on a campus with other innovators, we offer industry competitive benefits including: paid holidays, vacation/sick time, health benefits, 401(k) plan with match, and paid parking (with EV charge stations). We also support alternative transportation with a metro pass and bikeshare for every employee.   

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