Senior Associate, Energy Efficiency, Electrification, and Demand Management - Buildings Program (California or Northeastern U.S.)

Job Description: Are you passionate about advancing building decarbonization? Do you enjoy analyzing complex issues, building relationships with diverse stakeholders, and translating technical information into actionable recommendations? Are you motivated by creating real-world impact through policy and market transformation? If so, RMI invites you to join our growing Buildings team.  We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.  Program Overview   RMI's Carbon-Free Buildings Program works to transform residential and commercial buildings to be aligned with a zero carbon future. Our team develops and advances policies, market strategies, and technical solutions that reduce emissions while improving affordability, resilience, health, and economic outcomes.  The Energy Efficiency and Demand Management (EEDM) and Big Portfolios initiatives are aimed at catalyzing the zero-carbon building revolution for existing buildings, developing scalable approaches to retrofitting existing buildings to be efficient, electric, and grid-interactive. The team leverages building science expertise, technical analysis, R&D, demonstrations, business model innovation, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, policy development, real estate finance, and communications in our change model. Position Overview   RMI is seeking a Senior Associate to advance building decarbonization across the United States with a primary focus in California and the Northeast. The Senior Associate will contribute to the development and implementation of solutions that accelerate the transition to clean, efficient, and all-electric buildings.  This role combines data analysis, stakeholder engagement, project management, and strategic problem-solving. The Senior Associate will lead discrete workstreams within larger initiatives, manage relationships with external partners, conduct research and analysis, and develop written products that inform the industry.  Successful candidates will be comfortable navigating complex projects, managing multiple priorities, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to drive meaningful market and policy change.  Core Responsibilities   Locate, manage, and analyze data using creative approaches that shed new light on problems and solutions. Present quantitative information in a clear and concise visual format. Synthesize insights and recommendations into compelling presentations and thought leadership (i.e. reports, insight briefs, and blogs) Engage with external experts via phone interviews, conferences, and project collaboration. Design and create quantitative models to address key questions and challenges posed by research goals and clients. Coach staff on specific areas of expertise, e.g. building energy modeling. Structure and manage the work of more junior team members. Provide topical expertise for conference presentations, workshops, media engagements, and donor conversations. Research and Analysis  Conduct research and analysis on energy efficiency, demand flexibility, building electrification, and decarbonization strategies.   Develop recommendations supported by quantitative and qualitative analysis.   Synthesize complex technical information into clear findings and actionable recommendations.   Contribute to reports, policy briefs, regulatory comments, presentations, and other external-facing products aimed at influencing key decision-makers in the buildings sector.   Project Management  Lead discrete projects or portions of projects from design through execution.   Support and/or lead project management tasks: Develop workplans, manage timelines, coordinate contributors, and ensure high-quality deliverables.   Support project budgeting, reporting, and partner communications.   Track project milestones and help ensure alignment with program objectives.   Stakeholder Engagement  Build and maintain relationships with industry representatives, and other partners.   Participate in stakeholder meetings, workshops, working groups, and conferences.   Represent RMI in external meetings and public forums.   Thought Leadership and Communications  Develop presentations, articles, webinars, and other materials for external audiences.   Present research findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholder groups.   Support media engagement and public communications efforts as appropriate.   Strategy Development  Identify emerging opportunities, risks, and trends in the market.   Support program leadership in evaluating and prioritizing strategic opportunities.   Business Development and Organizational Contribution  Contribute technical content and analysis for grant proposals and donor reports.   Support development of new project opportunities and partnerships, including RFPs.   Minimum Qualifications   4+ years of relevant professional experience in a field related to the built environment - building energy systems, building science, architecture, engineering, behind-the-meter renewable energy and demand management, or a similar technical buildings field. Strong research, modeling, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including working with large data sets. Ability to translate raw data and complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights.   Excellent written and verbal communication skills.   Experience managing projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.   Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.   Comfort working with ambiguity. Commitment to advancing equitable and market-based climate solutions.   Preferred Qualifications   Professional experience with building energy simulation platforms and/or related coding languages, eg. EnergyPlus and Python. Field experience evaluating, designing, and/or commissioning building energy systems (HVAC, solar and storage, etc.). Exposure to other professi