Deputy Director, Non-Incentive Programs

Role Description

The Deputy Director, Non-Incentive Programs plays a key leadership role within CALSTART’s Clean Fuels & Infrastructure team, driving the execution and delivery of high-impact, non-incentive zero-emission transportation initiatives. Reporting to the Senior Director, Clean Fuels & Infrastructure, this role translates portfolio strategy into actionable workplans, oversees complex projects from planning through delivery, and ensures consistent, high-quality outcomes across grid integration, utility engagement, market development, and infrastructure initiatives. The Deputy Director serves as a central integrator across technical, policy, and market-facing teams while maintaining a strong focus on execution, accountability, and continuous improvement.

This is an ideal opportunity for a collaborative, execution-focused leader who enjoys managing people and programs while shaping the future of clean transportation infrastructure. The role supervises project managers and technical staff, supports professional development, and contributes to business development and strategic growth of CALSTART’s non-incentive portfolio. With meaningful responsibility, visibility, and impact, the Deputy Director helps advance CALSTART’s mission by ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and in close partnership with members, utilities, and stakeholders working to accelerate the transition to zero-emission transportation.

What You'll Do

• Lead execution of non-incentive clean transportation projects, overseeing day-to-day delivery of complex zero-emission transportation initiatives across grid integration, utility engagement, market development, and infrastructure planning, while managing scopes, schedules, budgets, risks, and dependencies.
• Supervise and develop staff (3-4 CALSTARs), including project managers and technical team members, by providing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development support aligned with CALSTART’s people-management and inclusive leadership practices.
• Translate portfolio strategy into action, working closely with the Senior Director to convert organizational priorities into executable project plans, workplans, and roadmaps that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Serve as a cross-functional integrator, coordinating closely with policy, other CALSTART initiatives especially Light-duty, Innovative Mobility, Truck and Off Road and Drive to Zero, as well as non-initiative teams like Data and Analytics, Demonstration and Technical Assistance, Member Engagement, and Business Development teams to ensure alignment, information flow, and high-quality delivery across the non-incentive portfolio.
• Ensure delivery excellence and continuous improvement, tracking milestones, KPIs, and outcomes; proactively identifying risks; and implementing corrective actions and process improvements to strengthen project transparency, reporting, and performance.
• Support utility and grid-focused initiatives, corridor-planning strategies and infrastructure technical offerings contributing to zero-emission transportation infrastructure planning, corridor development, and innovative efforts that advance CALSTART’s mission.
• Engage external stakeholders and partners, representing CALSTART in meetings with members, utilities, and partners, and contributing credible, responsive leadership in program and project discussions.
• Contribute to organizational growth, supporting non-incentive business development through business and proposal development, project scoping, partnership coordination, and advancement of new opportunities.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive professional experience in clean transportation, energy, utilities, infrastructure development, or closely related fields.
• Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field such as: business management, engineering, environmental science, public policy, energy, transportation, or a related discipline.
• PMP preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated success managing complex projects or programs involving multiple stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables.
• Direct experience with non-incentive zero-emission transportation initiatives, including infrastructure planning, utility engagement, grid-related projects, or corridor development for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure.
• Formal people-management or supervisory experience, including coaching, performance management, and staff development.
• Experience working cross-functionally with technical, policy, market development, and member-facing teams.
• Strong project and program management skills, with the ability to manage scopes, schedules, budgets, risks, and dependencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, particularly with utilities, partners, and members.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to provide analysis and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies (PMP certification preferred).
• Experience tracking milestones, KPIs, and outcomes using project management, reporting, or collaboration software (Monday.com, Mavenlink, ADP).
• Competency with common productivity and collaboration platforms (e.g., document sharing, project tracking, presentation tools).

Requirements

• Execution & Delivery: Consistently delivers high-quality work on time and within scope.
• People Leadership: Applies inclusive leadership practices and supports team growth and development.
• Collaboration: Builds trust and alignment across diverse internal teams and external partners.
• Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities to strengthen processes, transparency, and performance.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of responsibilities and outcomes at both the individual and team level.

Desired Skills

• Master's degree in engineering, energy systems, transportation planning, environmental policy, public administration, business, organizational development, or a related field.
• Formal training or certifications in project management, leadership development, systems thinking, or change management beyond core requirements.
• Experience leading or supporting large-scale, multi-jurisdictional infrastructure or market transformation initiatives.
• Prior involvement with utility planning processes (especially distribution), regulatory proceedings, or grid modernization efforts related to transportation electrification or hydrogen infrastructure.
• Experience contributing to or leading proposal development, partnership strategy, or business development in a consulting, nonprofit, or public-sector setting.
• Familiarity with national, state, or regional clean transportation policies and emerging market trends.
• Comfort working in matrixed organizations and navigating ambiguity in fast-evolving technical, regulatory, or market environments.
• Experience facilitating workshops, stakeholder convenings, or collaborative planning processes.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor emerging leaders and support succession planning within teams.
• Strong systems-level thinking and the ability to connect strategic goals to operational execution.
• Adaptive leadership style with a continuous-improvement mindset and openness to evolving best practices.
• High EQ, diplomacy, and ability to build trust across diverse internal teams and external partners.
• Ability to participate in occasional travel (approximately 10-20%), including attending meetings, site visits, and conferences.
• Ability to adjust work schedules as needed to meet with other teams in other time zones (nationally and internationally).

Benefits

• $105,630 - $120,260 a year.
• 100% company paid comprehensive health benefits for Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Retirement plan with generous company contributions.
• FSA for Health and Dependent Care.
• 3 weeks of vacation time in the first year of employment.
• 11 paid company holidays.
• Paid sick time.
• Paid family leave.
• Commitment to employee development and growth.