Vice President, Operations

The OpportunityAs Rainier builds a world class team in Bellevue, Washington, one of the first senior roles to be created is the Vice President, Operations. Working in close partnership with the President on leadership and strategic oversight of the organization’s philanthropic mission to address climate change, the VP of Operations will lead on a diverse set of internal and external supporting functions. This role will provide high-level operational guidance to the President and Co-founders, ensuring that culture, structure, processes, policies, and systems are aligned with the organization’s goals and strategic priorities. The VP will manage a diverse operations platform and ensure collaboration across all functions to drive continuous improvement and organizational excellence.Key Priorities & ResponsibilitiesCore Operations & LeadershipDevelop and maintain an effective operating environment, ensuring policies, systems, and processes support the organization’s culture, structural development, effectiveness, objectives, and values. Act as the primary liaison between Rainier Climate and other Ballmer entities, ensuring seamless, efficient coordination of shared services.Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and Co-founders on all operational matters, providing recommendations and insights to optimize organizational performance, efficiency, and scalability.Partner with the President to assess organizational capacity and requirements, and help develop recommendations for a multi-year staffing plan, including how consultants might support certain functional areas, all with the aim of maintaining Rainier’s commitment to be a small and nimble team.Oversee the development of Co-founder meeting agendas and dockets, ensuring that all necessary operational information is presented to the Co-founders in a timely and organized manner, and aligned with central planning functions across all Ballmer entities.Lead Rainier’s annual review and planning processes, ensuring that operational goals and resources are aligned with strategic priorities. Monitor operational effectiveness and drive continuous improvements to enhance performance and impact.Grants ManagementEnsure that the full grant lifecycle—from application through reporting—is executed efficiently, transparently, and in compliance with relevant regulations and best practices.Oversee grants management systems, processes, and tools; ensure they are streamlined and aligned with Rainier’s strategic priorities. Implement best practices and ensure adherence to internal policies and external regulations governing grantmaking.Maintain transparent and clear reporting systems for grant activities, ensuring that grantees and stakeholders have access to relevant information. Ensure timely and accurate reporting to the Co-founders and other stakeholders regarding grant outcomes and financials.Learning and Impact AssessmentOversee and manage the development and execution of the organization’s learning strategy and systems to measure the impact and effectiveness of programs and grants.Partner with the President and Program Directors to build a culture of learning across the organization. Ensure that insights from grantmaking, program performance, and operational activities are shared across teams and integrated into decision-making processes.Foster a culture of continuous improvement by incorporating lessons learned from both successes and challenges into Rainier’s operations, ensuring the organization is adaptable and responsive to changing needs.Outreach & PartnershipsLead the build-out and purpose-setting for Outreach & Partnerships work at Rainier to develop and nurture relationships for Rainier’s leadership and co-founders with a global network of peer funders, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, corporate and community leaders, and other stakeholders in the climate ecosystem, including to identify collaborative opportunities that align with the organization’s grantmaking priorities and to maximize its impact.Closely collaborate with the programs team to identify gaps, strengthen partner networks, and mobilize resources and other organizational assets that support Rainier’s strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment between philanthropic investments and long-term outcomes.CommunicationsOversee the Communications function to develop and implement Rainier’s communications strategy, ensuring the organization’s presence and brand are managed effectively within the climate and philanthropy sectors.Work with communication teams across Ballmer entities, as needed, to ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment. Ensure internal communications activities support collaboration and information sharing across teams, while external communications effectively highlight the organization’s impact, goals, and vision.Develop strategies to engage key stakeholders, partners, and the global climate community, ensuring that Rainier’s work is communicated clearly and effectively to drive interest, collaboration, and support.Financial and Resource ManagementCollaborate with Ballmer Enterprises and leadership to develop and manage both program-related and operating budgets. Ensure that financial resources are allocated efficiently and aligned with strategic priorities.Oversee the tracking and reporting of financials, ensuring that spending is monitored and aligned with budgetary requirements. Provide timely and accurate financial reports to leadership and the Co-Founders.Ensure Rainier’s resources—both financial and human—are managed effectively to maximize impact.Qualifications and ExperienceA minimum of 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, operations, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing a broad set of operations and supporting functions, including grants management, financial oversight, and resource allocation.Strong understanding of organizational development and operational best practices, including compliance, process optimization, and organizational efficiency.Expertise in leveraging data analytics and key performance indicators to inform decision-making and guide operational strategy. Experience using data to identify trends, monitor performance, and make actionable recommendations that enhance organizational effectiveness and impact.Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and convey it clearly to a range of audiences.Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to develop innovative solutions to complex operational challenges.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with senior leadership, staff, and external stakeholders effectively.Excellent project leadership and management skills, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and oversee multiple initiatives.A collaborative, entrepreneurial operator with the ability to readily identify opportunities for innovation and change.With a management lens focused first on people and relationships, the VP will have significant experience leading, managing, influencing, and mentoring high-performing teams and consultants with a high degree of emotional intelligence and support.Experience building and facilitating an enabling team environment, encouraging colleagues to learn, act with integrity, co-create together, and remain curious and compassionate in the face of challenges and setbacks.Since the organization will maintain a small, nimble team of senior leaders and staff, the VP must bring the appropriate balance as a manager and strategic thinker with being a hands-on, individual contributor, and effective team collaborator. Knowing how to optimize a high functioning team to capitalize on everyone’s diverse strengths and skillsets is essential.Compensation & BenefitsAs a mission-driven organization, we are committed to offering competitive compensation and benefits aligned with the talent market in Climate Philanthropy.Featured Benefits & PerksMedical, dental, and vision insurance with employee and dependent premiums entirely paid for by Rainier Climate.3 weeks of paid vacation annually.11 paid holidays, plus paid days off for the weekdays between Christmas and New Year.80 hours of paid sick leave annually.401(k) with 12% employer contribution.2 : 1 Ballmer Family Giving Match for charitable contributions, and $50 donation per volunteer hour.Professional development reimbursement up to $2,000 per year.Employer-paid life insurance of 3x salary up to $1,000,000.Reimbursement up to $40,000 (lifetime limit) for Fertility & Family Building (including Back-up Childcare reimbursement up to $5,000 annually).Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.Parking or transportation (Orca card) up to $250 monthly.Cash stipend of $300 / month (for cell phone, wellness expenses, etc.).Identity theft protection.Location & Hybrid WorkThe position is based full-time in Bellevue, WA. Rainier Climate practices intentional hybrid work. All Rainer Climate employees are expected to work on-site in Bellevue on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and as needed on other weekdays based on the needs of the team. The number of in-office days may shift or increase as the organization evolves. Commuting to Bellevue from outside the region will not be considered.Rainer Climate is an equal opportunity employer and is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued. Individuals seeking employment at Rainer Climate are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.#J-18808-Ljbffr

Salary : $2,000 - $1,000,000