Director, Strategic Initiatives

Position Title: Director, Strategic Initiatives

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives; Executive Director, Nuclear Scaling Initiative

Position Status: Fulltime, exempt

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $160,000-$180,000. EFI Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; 401k with a 5% match and 3% auto-enroll; life and long-term disability insurance; pet insurance; and a pre-tax Flexible Savings Account, Health Savings Account, and parking and metro benefits. We have generous annual paid time off, including 15 days of vacation, 10 days of sick leave, plus all federal holidays and the week between December 25 and January 1.

About EFI Foundation

The EFI Foundation delivers evidence-based, pragmatic solutions to the world’s toughest energy challenges. The EFI Foundation advances innovative, evidence-based solutions to complex energy challenges—combining rigorous analysis with a pragmatic approach to bridge the gap toward a low-carbon future.

EFI Foundation is a trusted, independent, nonpartisan guide through the world’s toughest energy challenges. We focus on practical solutions, not ideology, to make real progress possible. We forge coalitions that cut across divides, creating answers that are tested, collaborative, and durable. We believe energy evolution must be affordable, resilient, and equitable for all.

About EJM Associates LLC (EJM)

EJM Associates is a strategic consulting firm founded and directly managed by former Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. We advise clients on a range of energy policy, innovation, and security issues to help them navigate the transition to a global clean energy economy.

This role may be expected to perform work for EJM, consistent with their job description.

About Nuclear Scaling Initiative (NSI)

The Nuclear Scaling Initiative (NSI) is a collaborative effort of Clean Air Task Force, the EFI Foundation, and the Nuclear Threat Initiative to build a new nuclear energy ecosystem that can quickly and economically scale to 50+ gigawatts of safe and secure nuclear energy globally per year by the 2030s.

NSI’s plan for revolutionizing how nuclear energy is constructed, financed, and regulated will advance climate goals, spark economic development, expand energy access, and ensure that nuclear technology is used for only peaceful purposes.

Summary

The EFI Foundation is seeking a highly capable, creative, and results-oriented Director of Strategic Initiatives to join our expanding team. Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, this senior role offers the opportunity to shape and lead work at the intersection of clean energy solution scaling, finance and policy.

The successful candidate will combine corporate/project finance expertise, policy development and leadership skills, with the ability to manage complex projects and convene diverse stakeholders. You will direct studies, guide a team, help build coalitions, and represent EFI Foundation and the Nuclear Scaling Initiative (NSI) with credibility in front of commercial, policymakers, and civil society stakeholders.

This position is based at EFIF headquarters in Washington, DC. As of the date of this posting, EFIF employees work from the DC office Tuesday through Thursday.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

Leadership & Management

• Lead project teams and mentor junior staff, fostering professional growth and accountability.
• Exercise independent judgment in setting priorities and making strategic decisions under uncertainty.
• Manage multiple workstreams simultaneously, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy.

Research, Analysis & Strategy

• Lead in-depth quantitative and qualitative analysis of clean energy solutions, policies, and financial frameworks.
• Draw on direct commercial experience to design and evaluate project structures, financing approaches, and corporate investment strategies.
• Develop and work with advanced financial models and economic analyses that inform decision-makers.
• Integrate policy, regulatory, and market signals into financial analysis to generate actionable recommendations understandable across commercial, policy and civil society audiences

Stakeholder Engagement & Coalition-Building

• Build and manage relationships with across commercial, policy and civil society audiences
• Convene coalitions and facilitate structured discussions that advance project bankability and nuclear deployment at scale.
• Demonstrate emotional intelligence and executive presence in high-stakes external engagements, ensuring EFI Foundation and NSI are represented with credibility and composure.

Execution & Impact

• Translate complex analysis into actionable strategies for policymakers, investors, and industry leaders.
• Author reports, briefing materials, and executive-level presentations with clarity and influence.
• Drive new ideas and frameworks that shape the future of clean energy and nuclear finance.

General Time Breakdown

Leadership & Management: approx. 35%

Research, Analysis, & Strategy: approx. 35%

Stakeholder Engagement: approx. 20%

Execution & Impact: approx. 10%

Time will be split approximately 85%/15% between NSI and EFI Foundation, respectively.

Who You Are

• A people manager & team leader
• An independent, strategic decision-maker
• Analytical
• Calm under pressure
• High emotional intelligence & interpersonal skills
• Mission-oriented
• Sense of humor

What You’ll Need

• 7+ years of relevant experience; at least 2+ years in corporate finance, investment banking, project finance, venture/private equity, or capital markets.
• Strong quantitative and structured problem-solving skills; experience building and interpreting advanced financial models.
• Deep familiarity with corporate and project investment decision-making, including FID processes and balance sheet finance.
• Experience working on commercial transactions, either within a corporate finance team or as an advisor to corporations, with direct exposure to investment decision processes.
• Ability to interpret and integrate policy, regulatory, and market signals into financial and strategic decision-making.
• Executive presence, with proven ability to engage senior stakeholders across sectors.
• Strong writing and presentation skills, with a track record of producing influential, polished outputs.
• Preferred: experience on Capitol Hill, in government, or in public-private coalitions.
• Preferred: demonstrated success in fundraising or grant-writing.
• Must have work authorization in the U.S. EFIF is unable to sponsor or take over work sponsorships at this time.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. EFIF is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

TO APPLY

• Resume
• Cover letter (optional)
• Writing sample or similar (5–10 pages, ideally sole authorship)

STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY

EFIF is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Women, people of color, LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans are encouraged to apply. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance or accommodation for this job application due to a disability, you may contact us at info@efifoundation.org.