Managing Director

The New York Climate Exchange (The Exchange) is a not‑for‑profit climate solutions center designed to advance progress on pressing climate challenges and opportunities, through an interdisciplinary coalition approach, impactful programming, and cutting‑edge facilities. While The Exchange will have a physical presence on Governors Island, its spirit and influence will extend beyond the Island into New York City, across the country, and the world.

Our diverse consortium—committed and prepared to collectively disrupt the status quo—incorporates local and global perspectives on climate change from academia, the private sector, and community‑level organizations. As the first of its kind, The Exchange will unlock integrated and scalable approaches to climate action, ultimately serving as a global model for sustainable positive change.

The New York Climate Exchange (“The Exchange”) is seeking a seasoned and strategic Managing Director to work closely with the CEO to execute his vision. This senior‑level role will be responsible for driving excellence across programs, fundraising, finance, communications, capital plan, and finance and administration, ensuring that The Exchange realizes its ambitious mission.

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of leadership in complex, fast‑paced environments, with a strong orientation toward building systems, leading high‑performing teams, and aligning operations with strategic goals. This is a full‑time, in‑person role based in New York City, with flexibility for periodic remote work.

This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serves as a key member of the senior leadership team.

Salary and Benefits

Salary for this position is between $350,000 – $400,000 per year. The position includes eligibility for generous health and retirement benefits, and paid time off/sick leave. Salary will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to qualifications, experience, education, licenses, and specialized training. The above hiring range represents The Exchange’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership

• Work with the CEO to establish a visionary, far‑reaching strategy for The Exchange's climate programming and oversee its realization, including construction of a campus on Governors Island.
• Interface with key figures in the climate community (at local, state, national, and global levels) to shape our organization's impact and influence.
• Continuously innovate and explore new avenues for growth and enhancement of The Exchange.
• Work with the Chief Advancement Officer and others to raise resources to support The Exchange.
• Foster communication and collaboration across teams, including Exchange Partners and other key stakeholders, emphasizing the integration of programming efforts with administrative functions. Facilitate cross‑functional teamwork to amplify our organizational impact and achieve collective success.
• Work collaboratively with the senior leadership team on organizational priorities.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships that elevate The Exchange's programming initiatives and contribute to our global influence and success.
• Collaborate closely with external stakeholders to expand our reach, forge new alliances, and drive meaningful change in the climate space.
• Represent The Exchange in meetings and events.

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as the organization’s senior financial officer, overseeing all aspects of financial strategy, planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Oversee the allocation and strategic utilization of resources across the organization, including financial, human, and technological assets.
• Supervise a finance team and oversee long‑term financial forecasting, scenario planning, financial controls, and timely, accurate financial reporting to the CEO and Board.

HR, Operations, & Infrastructure

• Supervise core HR functions including payroll, policy development, recruitment, onboarding, benefits, performance management, and offboarding.
• Expand and evolve the implementation of scalable systems, policies, and procedures to support organizational growth.

Team Development

• Build and lead a high‑performing staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support the CEO in setting and tracking organization‑wide KPIs.
• Mentor and develop staff, creating clear pathways for growth and leadership within the organization.
• Implement strategic learning and development initiatives to enhance employee skills, drive engagement, and support organizational growth.
• Represent administrative functions at the senior level, contributing to strategic planning and organizational development.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with programmatic and external affairs teams to align operational capacity with mission delivery.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness and impact.
• Serve as a thought partner to the CEO and leadership team on matters of organizational design, change management, and strategic execution.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in finance, operations, or administration, preferably within mission‑driven, complex, or start‑up environments.
• Master’s degree required in climate, sustainability, business administration, finance, public administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial strategy, budgeting, compliance, and operational oversight at the senior level.
• Proven ability to build and lead high‑performing teams, manage cross‑functional initiatives, and drive organizational change.
• Strong understanding of HR, IT, procurement, and space planning, with experience overseeing external service providers and internal teams.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills, with a track record of aligning operations with organizational goals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including board members and staff.

New York Climate Exchange Staff Core Competencies

• Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how partners and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally, and socially sustainable.
• Shares new insights based on in‑depth understanding of clients/partners and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients/partners.
• Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across The Exchange, partner organizations, and other relevant institutions.
• Makes choices and sets priorities with The New York Climate Exchange corporate perspective in mind.
• Helps others to understand problems, partner and client needs, and the underlying context.
• Recognizes the value of diverse perspectives and lived experiences and applies a critical lens to systemic sources of bias and discrimination.
• Applies critical thinking and seeks input and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with The Exchange’s strategy.
• Evaluates risk and anticipates the short‑ and long‑term implications of decisions.
• Commits to a decision and acts once it has been reached.

Applications should include a cover letter and resume.

The New York Climate Exchange provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, height, weight, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups only apply if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about our mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

You must be able to work in the United States as The Exchange does not yet have visa‑sponsoring capabilities.