Description
About Energy Foundation China
The Energy Foundation is a committed partner in the global effort to address one of the greatest threats facing our world—climate change—by accelerating the transition to sustainable energy. We provide grants for research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange related to climate and energy systems, with a focus on China.
Our mission is to help achieve greenhouse gas neutrality and world-class air quality by advancing practical solutions for a low-carbon economy. We work with research institutions, industry associations, academic partners, and NGOs, and also implement a select number of our own programs.
Since beginning work in China in 1999, we have supported more than 4,000 projects in the power, industry, transport, urban, environmental, and communications sectors. Our work centers on three areas:
- Supporting research and pilot projects that advance the energy transition.
- Facilitating the exchange of information and best practices.
- Informing policy development through evidence-based analysis.
The Energy Foundation (EF China) and U.S. Energy Foundation have operated independently since 2019 as separate 501(c)(3) public charities. EF China does not lobby, engage in litigation or activism, or take funding from governments or political parties.
For more information about EF China, visit https://www.efchina.org/
Strategic Partnerships Team
The Strategic Partnerships team leads organizational fundraising and strategic partnerships to advance the mission of EF China. As EF China’s external engagement engine, the Strategic Partnerships team builds alliances, mobilizes resources, and secures and stewards funding from philanthropic foundations, high-net-worth individuals, and other sources who share the mission and vision of EF China.
The team plays a key role as a bridge between funders and the organization. It ensures that every partnership aligns with EF China’s priorities and delivers mutual value. This includes coordinating with program teams to co-create initiatives, producing high-quality donor proposals and reports, communicating regularly with donors, and maintaining EF China’s reputation as a trusted and impactful partner in the global climate and energy ecosystem.
In addition to stewarding EF China’s funders, the Strategic Partnerships team also leads efforts to coordinate and communicate with EF China’s board.
The Opportunity
The Vice President, Strategic Partnerships designs and leads EF China’s fundraising and partnership strategies to grow and diversify resources from philanthropic and other sources worldwide. This position plays a central role in cultivating and stewarding strategic alliances that advance EF China’s mission and amplify its influence in the global climate and energy ecosystem.
Key Leadership Priorities
Fundraising, Prospecting, and Stewardship
- Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising and partnership strategy aligned with EF China’s mission and priorities.
- Identify, prioritize, and pursue high-potential funding and partnership opportunities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective donors through engagement, briefings, and tailored events.
- Expand EF China’s donor networks and deploy appropriate engagement tactics.
- Lead proposal/concept note development processes, ensuring alignment with both donor priorities and EF China’s strategies.
- Oversee preparation of high-quality funder reports and ensure timely, accurate communication with donors.
- Provide regular updates to donors to translate program results into compelling partnership narratives.
- Maintain organizational revenue forecasts, informing budgeting and spending planning.
- Foster a partnership mindset within EF China by training staff on funder relationship communication and management, proposal design, report writing, etc.
Leadership, Strategy, and Organizational Contribution
- Serve as a member of EF China’s senior management team, contributing to overall organizational strategy and direction.
- Advise the senior management team on emerging trends, risks, and opportunities in climate philanthropy and strategic alliances.
- Serve as the head of U.S. office, manage the operation and daily works in the U.S.
- Lead development of systems and infrastructure to support effective fundraising and cross-functional collaboration.
- Collaborate with the Corporate Communications team to craft compelling stories and messaging that engage donors and mitigate reputational risks.
- Support colleagues across the organization as needed, promoting a culture of teamwork and shared accountability.
Board Engagement
- Support the CEO and President in preparing for and engaging with EF China’s board.
- Anticipate and address board information needs related to EF China’s fundraising strategy and external partnerships, ensure fundraising and partnership insights are effectively communicated to the board to inform decision-making.
Risk Awareness and Mitigation
- Assess potential geopolitical and reputational risks related to partnerships and fundraising activities.
- Keep senior leadership, the board, and relevant stakeholders informed as needed.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in fundraising and strategic philanthropy worldwide, combined with a passion for systems-level, policy-oriented climate and energy work. They will demonstrate exceptional relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, as well as storytelling and people management.
In addition to leading fundraising, the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships will serve as a member of the organization’s senior management team, supporting the CEO and President in board engagement, donor stewardship, and external representation. In addition to leading fundraising, the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships will serve as a member of the organization’s senior management team, supporting the CEO and President in board engagement, donor stewardship, and external representation. As the head of U.S. office, the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships will also manage the staff based in U.S.
Qualifications
Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Education: Master’s degree or above, preferably in an environment, energy, climate change, or economics-related field.
- Working Experience: at least 15 years of related work experience, ideally in developing and implementing partnerships, fundraising, and/or strategic outreach to support a multi-million dollar, multi-location organization, including over 5 years of managerial experience. Experience across NGO, philanthropy, government, corporate social responsibility (CSR), or some combination thereof is necessary. Energy, environment, climate change, economics and finance related experience are strongly preferred.
- Language Level: native-level English skills required; while Mandarin language skills and an understanding of Chinese culture are strongly preferred but not required, experience in cross-cultural contexts is essential.
- Networking: the ability to develop new alliances and formal networks, mobilize external resources, and foster relationships with key stakeholders to achieve long-term mutual interests.
- Communication and Coordination Skills: being nimble and inclusive, strong negotiation and diplomacy skills, excellent verbal, written, and storytelling communication skills are essential attributes for the role
- Team Leadership: able to define direction and develop shared purpose, build a team with strong coaching skills, provide timely constructive feedback to team members, and support them for long-term career development.
- Strategic Thinking: an independent thinker with integrated view, able to understand different areas of climate/energy, development-related issues, and the field landscape. Able to anticipate future scenarios with big-picture thinking, and able to maintain balance and an awareness of the status of all programs.
- Problem Solving: able to define and prioritize key issues, make analyses with logical reasoning, utilize and synergize various resources to summarize and find solutions, and use a holistic approach to determine the best solution.
Success Factors
- Ethical Behavior/Integrity: Demonstrates principled performance and sound ethics, showing consistency among principles, values, and behaviors to build trust and credibility internally and externally.
- Broader Views for Systematic Solution: Proactively link program strategy and goals with the ones of the whole organization and other related programs, as appropriate, for cooperation and organization-wide capacity enhancement.
- Mission-Driven/Initiative: Inspired by the organization’s vision and mission, and takes actions with ownership, a can-do attitude, and a proactive mindset.
- Team Spirit: Collaboratively works toward solutions that benefit all involved parties; willingly cooperates with others to accomplish team/organization objectives.
Location & Salary
This is a remote, full-time position with a preference for candidates based in San Francisco. The salary range is $270,000 – $300,000 and will be commensurate with experience.
To Be Considered
Please submit your resume and cover letter expressing your interest in the position and fit for the role via the “Become a Candidate” button.
For additional questions, please reach out to efchina-vp@goodcitizen.com.
Applicants applying by Friday, January 2nd will be given priority consideration, with the position open until filled.