Carbon War Room Operation Lead, Mining

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Carbon War Room (CWR) was founded in 2009 as a global nonprofit by Sir Richard Branson and a group of likeminded entrepreneurs to accelerate the adoption of business solutions that reduce carbon emissions at gigaton scale and advance the low carbon economy. CWR merged with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in 2014 and now operates as an RMI business unit. The combined organization engages businesses, communities, institutions, and entrepreneurs to transform global energy use to create a clean, prosperous, and secure future.

Carbon War Room and Rocky Mountain Institute (CWR/RMI) are looking for a full-time Operation Lead reporting to the Director of Global Projects.  CWR/RMI has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Beijing, China; Snowmass, Colorado and Boulder, Colorado.  Ideally this position will be based in one of the office locations listed above.  However the location for this position will be determined based on a combination of factors, including the ability to meet the job requirements and a candidate's personal needs.

Job Description:

The Sunshine for Mines (SfM) Operation Lead will be accountable for achieving the outcomes established for Carbon War Room’s SfM Operation (see summary below).  The Operation Lead will manage and ensure the successful development and implementation of the operational strategy. The Operation Lead will also assume a key role in development and stewardship of funding and strategic partnerships critical to the operation’s success.  Specifically, the Operation Lead will:

• Direct strategic planning, together with the Director of Global Projects, for the SfM Operation.

• Work with subject matter experts and stakeholders as appropriate to develop and communicate project strategies with high impact, clear targets, measurable outcomes, and likelihood of successful implementation.

• Create and lead a strong team for implementation of the SfM operation.  Establish goals and benchmarks for project completion, and manage performance.

• Build and maintain relationships with key strategic partners, including mining companies, mining service providers, renewables project developers, mining industry organizations, environmental NGO’s, technology partners, academic institutions, key individual thought leaders, and business partners/funding sources.

• Be the face of CWR in the mining industry; including developing presentations and representing CWR as key stakeholder and influencer events

• Identify external funding opportunities.  Make presentations and assist Development Team in securing project funding.  

• Establish goals and benchmarks for project completion, and manage performance.

• Develop metrics, presentations and reports demonstrating strategic impact of the operation to the Board, Governance Councils, potential partners, strategic advisors, and funders.  

• Assist with budget development for funding proposals. Monitor and manage project implementation budgets.

• Oversee project management plans for the Operation’s work streams.

• Establish and ensure maintenance of strong data management and information sourcing systems for the Operation.

• Manage relevant interaction and collaboration with Rocky Mountain Institute program teams and Managing Directors.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, Postgraduate degree preferred

• 15+ years of direct relevant experience in, or associated with the mining industry

• Successful experience with strategic planning, budget development and monitoring, financial analysis, development of metrics, and reporting

• Strong management and leadership skills

• Technical knowledge and experience in mining and renewable energy

• Excellent writing skills, strong command of analytical tools and methods

• Strong communication and organisational skills

• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills

• Passion for finding innovative solutions to scaling the penetration of renewable energy

• Ability to travel up to 25%, both locally and internationally

CWR’s Sunshine for Mines Operation:

The goal of CWR’s Sunshine for Mines is to rapidly accelerate the installation of renewable energy capacity integrated into the power systems of on- and off-grid mines around the world, to a penetration rate of 15% by 2025 (30 GW).  We will do this by making it easier, faster, and less risky to procure such energy from independent power producers.

By 2018 the following outcomes, directly traceable to CWR’s efforts, will be achieved:

• Five major mining companies that RMI/CWR have worked with have established and are implementing ambitious RE integration plans

• Five GW of renewables are installed or are included in the 5-year business plans of mining companies with whom we have worked

We see four main barriers to mining companies utilizing renewables for mining operations, and have identified how to address each of these obstacles below:

Information – Deploying renewable energy at remote mining sites is technically feasible and very often economically justifiable.  However, the industry is stymied by a lack of awareness of the opportunity.  CWR will address this barrier by:

• Conducting a site-specific feasibility study and technical design for a few mining companies which have agreed to partner with us.  Results of the work will be shared broadly with the industry

• Developing tools and information to support renewables adoption by the mining industry.  This will include: case studies, process descriptions, DIY tools, vetted service providers, term sheet templates, vetted IPPs and experienced owner’s engineering firms.  

• Creating a web portal similar to TruckingEfficiency.org or BRC that will incorporate the information developed and provide it to the industry in an easy-to-navigate format.

Demand Pull – Our experience has shown that merely making information available is not adequate to drive adoption.  Direct engagement with decision-makers is also essential.  To create demand pull for renewables at mines we will:

• Meet directly with C-suite executives and sustainability/ energy directors at major mining companies.  This will enable us to roll our work out across multiple sites and achieve economies of scale.

• Highlight commitments and successes, utilizing the power of both brands and our prominent leadership, including Richard Branson.  This will be done through press announcements and website presence.

• Convene workshops, as we have in Trucking and Shipping, to work closely with practitioners to identify challenges, identify solutions, and build understanding and support.

• Promote the approach at industry conferences and events by securing speaking opportunities and engaging informally.

Complexity/Risk –Mine operators are frequently unable to evaluate and implement a renewables project at their site.  Our approach of managing the details of implementation with the first several mines, and providing the tools to streamline the process are intended to overcome this barrier.   To address the concern over risk of failure – and the impact that a power disruption would have on an active mine – renewables developers are beginning to provide reliability guarantees.   

The initial phase of the initiative will focus on gaining momentum through assisting 3-4 mining operators with technical and commercial feasibility assessment and transactional support. The second phase will focus on scaling, by show casing what was achieved, spreading the word across the mining sector and focusing efforts in geographies and mining subsectors where the opportunity (in terms of MW and grid deficiencies) is highest (e.g., South Africa). The third phase will focus on making renewables an industry standard, driving disclosure and transparency across the industry.