World Resources Institute (WRI)
Global Director, WRI Polsky Energy Center
World Resources Institute (WRI), Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
To be considered, please apply directly to Perrett Laver, who is managing this search for WRI:
Global Director, WRI Polsky Energy Center
Applications submitted on the WRI career page will not be considered.
WRI is a global research organization working to improve people's lives, protect nature, and halt climate change. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise, and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water, energy, and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations. Founded in 1982, WRI brings over 40 years of experience turning evidence into action.
Launched in 2025 with a $75 million, 10-year gift from the Polsky Foundation, the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition harnesses analytical power, convening ability, and global expertise to help orchestrate a transition to a clean, abundant, affordable, and reliable energy future. As global energy demand surges due to advances in AI, electrification, and economic transformation, the nonpartisan Center combines WRI's renowned experts, a world‑class Advisory Group, and a diverse network of partners to deliver scalable solutions. These solutions address systemic challenges such as modernizing and expanding energy grids, scaling financing, responsibly sourcing energy minerals, fostering new technologies, and preparing a future‑ready workforce and entrepreneurs.
Role Overview The WRI seeks a founding, visionary Global Director to lead the new WRI Polsky Energy Center. This first‑of‑its‑kind Center represents a step‑change in WRI's strategy, ambition, and financial resources to influence the energy transition. The Global Director will develop and execute the Center's ambition, promote and build its future success, and lead a globally distributed team with staff in the United States, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The Global Director will be a member of WRI's Management Team and will report to WRI's Executive Vice President & Managing Director of Programs.
Responsibilities
Develop and execute the Center’s overall strategy, fundraising, public engagement, and management.
Lead a globally distributed team and cultivate partnerships with public and private sector organizations.
Communicate the Center’s vision and impact to internal and external stakeholders.
Ensure the Center's work is mission‑aligned, high‑impact, and consistent with WRI values.
Qualifications
Dynamic, bold, and solutions‑oriented leadership with a proven track record of driving large, complex programs.
Excellent communication skills and ability to combine strategic vision, partnership development, people management, fundraising, and media relations.
Firm commitment to WRI values of impact, integrity, independence, partnership, and care.
Experience building and scaling independent research or policy centers and leading cross‑regional teams.
Location & Salary Preference for a location in Washington, DC; The Hague, Netherlands; New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru, India; or London, UK. Candidates in other WRI office cities are welcome to apply.
Salary ranges:
WRI Netherlands: ~185 K Euro
WRI United Kingdom: ~185 K GBP
WRI United States: ~300 K USD
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion WRI is an equal‑opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI welcomes women, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, Afro‑descendants, Indigenous people, and candidates from diverse cultural and international backgrounds.
Protecting your personal data is a priority. Perrett Laver ensures that any information obtained is securely stored and processed in accordance with relevant data protection legislation.
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Global Director, WRI Polsky Energy Center
Applications submitted on the WRI career page will not be considered.
WRI is a global research organization working to improve people's lives, protect nature, and halt climate change. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise, and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water, energy, and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations. Founded in 1982, WRI brings over 40 years of experience turning evidence into action.
Launched in 2025 with a $75 million, 10-year gift from the Polsky Foundation, the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition harnesses analytical power, convening ability, and global expertise to help orchestrate a transition to a clean, abundant, affordable, and reliable energy future. As global energy demand surges due to advances in AI, electrification, and economic transformation, the nonpartisan Center combines WRI's renowned experts, a world‑class Advisory Group, and a diverse network of partners to deliver scalable solutions. These solutions address systemic challenges such as modernizing and expanding energy grids, scaling financing, responsibly sourcing energy minerals, fostering new technologies, and preparing a future‑ready workforce and entrepreneurs.
Role Overview The WRI seeks a founding, visionary Global Director to lead the new WRI Polsky Energy Center. This first‑of‑its‑kind Center represents a step‑change in WRI's strategy, ambition, and financial resources to influence the energy transition. The Global Director will develop and execute the Center's ambition, promote and build its future success, and lead a globally distributed team with staff in the United States, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The Global Director will be a member of WRI's Management Team and will report to WRI's Executive Vice President & Managing Director of Programs.
Responsibilities
Develop and execute the Center’s overall strategy, fundraising, public engagement, and management.
Lead a globally distributed team and cultivate partnerships with public and private sector organizations.
Communicate the Center’s vision and impact to internal and external stakeholders.
Ensure the Center's work is mission‑aligned, high‑impact, and consistent with WRI values.
Qualifications
Dynamic, bold, and solutions‑oriented leadership with a proven track record of driving large, complex programs.
Excellent communication skills and ability to combine strategic vision, partnership development, people management, fundraising, and media relations.
Firm commitment to WRI values of impact, integrity, independence, partnership, and care.
Experience building and scaling independent research or policy centers and leading cross‑regional teams.
Location & Salary Preference for a location in Washington, DC; The Hague, Netherlands; New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru, India; or London, UK. Candidates in other WRI office cities are welcome to apply.
Salary ranges:
WRI Netherlands: ~185 K Euro
WRI United Kingdom: ~185 K GBP
WRI United States: ~300 K USD
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion WRI is an equal‑opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI welcomes women, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, Afro‑descendants, Indigenous people, and candidates from diverse cultural and international backgrounds.
Protecting your personal data is a priority. Perrett Laver ensures that any information obtained is securely stored and processed in accordance with relevant data protection legislation.
#J-18808-Ljbffr