Deputy Director 

Full-time, Exempt 

Hybrid, San Francisco, California 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Brightline Defense (Brightline) is seeking nominations and applications for the position of Deputy Director. Brightline’s programs currently focus on air quality monitoring in some of San Francisco’s most marginalized neighborhoods, job training programs to ensure that frontline community members are positioned for jobs in the green economy, and youth development to help build the pipeline of environmental justice leaders. The organization’s policy agenda focuses on clean air, renewable energy infrastructure, and equitable workforce development. More specifically, Brightline is playing a key role in the development of offshore wind in California, local hiring, as well as building decarbonization, and other strategic climate solutions. 

Leadership is a vital aspect of the Deputy Director, as this role will serve as a member of the leadership team, reporting to the Executive Director, while growing and developing a strong team of community organizers, coalition builders, and policy advocates. The ideal candidate will be self-directed with the ability to contribute significantly to the management of Brightline and its strategic goals. The Deputy Director will be first and foremost an advocate for environmental justice in California. They will have demonstrated expertise in program design and delivery, and optimally, also have an understanding of climate and clean energy policy advocacy. 

 

ABOUT BRIGHTLINE 

Established in 2005 in San Francisco, Brightline is an environmental justice nonprofit that bridges policy advocacy and on-the-ground programs and partnerships to promote sustainability and economic opportunity in frontline communities. The organization is committed to reshaping the environmental landscape to ensure that all communities, particularly those who have been historically marginalized, enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, more sustainable, and inclusive future.  

Brightline’s current efforts focus on: Policy Development & Advocacy to engage frontline communities in advocating for environmental and workforce policies that benefit people and nature; On-the-Ground Partnerships to share knowledge, train and build coalitions that empower frontline communities to advocate and prosper from sustainable development; and Meaningful Connections to act as a bridge between community members and policymakers, regulators, and industry so that the needs of community meaningfully shape plans for economic growth and environmental protection. 

THE OPPORTUNITY 

The incoming Deputy Director will be driven by their belief in and commitment to Brightline’s vision of frontline communities creating and prospering from sustainable development. Through their track record as an advocate and nonprofit leader, the successful candidate will drive Brightline’s organizational development and management, while overseeing successful implementation of programs and policies. The Deputy Director will build authentic and lasting relationships inside and outside the organization and will have the following immediate opportunities for impact: 

Organizational Leadership – Strategy & Management (50%) 

  • Help to shape Brightline’s long term vision, leading aspects of strategic planning, evaluation, and learning that support inclusive participation of diverse stakeholders. 

  • Lead the development of annual workplans and develop systems/practices for regular evaluation, reinforcing continual development, learning, and impact. 

  • Oversee strong implementation, evaluation, and iteration of Brightline’s core programs and partnerships in California, including regular reporting against the goals and objectives of the strategic plan. 

  • Serve as a member of the leadership team, facilitating strong communication, cross-team collaboration, and the development of a positive organizational culture. 

  • Develop equitable policies that guide personnel and business decisions. 

  • Provide oversight for strategic and tactical human resources, from recruitment, talent management, and professional development to payroll and benefits administration. 

  • Serve as a secondary spokesperson for Brightline, including representing the organization at conferences and speaking with the media as a proxy for the Executive Director as appropriate. 

  • Support the development of the Board of Directors, nurturing high levels of engagement, effective communication, and providing timely and accurate information necessary for the Board to fulfill its responsibilities. 

Program / Policy Advocacy Oversight (40%) 

  • Collaborate with the Executive Director to define and realize the long-term vision, strategies, and priorities related to leveraging and building expertise in the environmental justice movement through the connection of Brightline’s programs, on-the-ground partnerships, and policy advocacy objectives. 

  • Supervise staff, including establishing annual objectives, providing regular feedback and appropriate recognition, conducting annual performance reviews, and supporting ongoing professional development. 

  • Partner with the Executive Director to determine and manage the programmatic budget, ensuring cost effectiveness and accurate reporting to funders. 

Financial and Administrative Support (10%) 

  • In partnership with the Executive Director, ensure compliance with all legal and lobbying requirements, as appropriate. 

  • Support fundraising efforts related to the policy agenda and programmatic priorities, including relationship-building with and reporting to funders. 

  • Support the development of an annual budget that includes key performance indicators. 

  • Partner with the Executive Director to ensure strong internal controls and regular reporting on the financial status of Brightline to the Board of Directors. 

  • Support the completion of an independent financial audit and annual tax filings. 

  • Provide staff support for the finance and audit committees of the Board. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE  

The successful candidate will be entrepreneurial and self-directed. This role requires a commitment to the principles of environmental justice and familiarity with what it takes to influence the development and implementation of state and local policy and regulation around climate and clean energy. The optimal candidate will have worked in a nonprofit advocacy environment and understands the movement context, possessing a strong grasp of the economic, social, and political forces that shape environmental policy related to clean air and renewable energy in California. While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, success in this role will require an experienced professional who possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences: 

 

Core Qualifications 

  • Strong commitment to the mission and goals of Brightline Defense and a strong passion for solving the climate crisis through environmental justice advocacy. 

  • At least 10 years of increasing responsibility in program design, implementation, and management and/or policy design and advocacy, with a proven track record of accomplishments designing and executing strategies that generate strong results. 

  • At least 4 years of experience as an organizational leader and manager who advances organizational goals with and through others by diligent daily practice and long-term vision. 

  • Demonstrated experience working across lines of race, class, gender, and geography, and an analysis of how climate change and energy-related issues intersect with historic marginalization, structural racism, and disenfranchisement. 

  • Demonstrated understanding of how organized movements create change and accomplish policy objectives. 

  • Outstanding oral and written communications skills. 

  • Proven skill at building systems and managing operations, particularly finance/budgeting and human resources. 

  • Exceptional project management skills and a high degree of emotional intelligence to support consensus building and collaboration between and among diverse stakeholders who may possess divergent viewpoints. 

  • Outstanding relationship-building skills with a wide range of diverse external constituencies, diplomatic abilities, and authentic leadership skills that build the trust-based relationships necessary for stakeholders to buy in and share accountability for our collective work. 

  • Highly collaborative work style with the ability to operate as a peer and thought partner to the Executive Director and to prioritize and be flexible in a fast-paced environment, where working on a team and working individually are required. 

     

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Background in environmental or social justice, climate or clean energy. 

  • Familiarity with state agencies and proceedings overseeing air quality and energy (e.g., CPUC, CARB, CEC, BAAQMD). 

  • JD or MS in public policy, public administration, environmental science or other relevant subjects. 

 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

Brightline offers competitive nonprofit compensation and is committed to justice in salary transparency and wage equity. The salary range for this position is $145,000 - $160,000, based on experience and qualifications. Brightline also offers a year-end bonus and a suite of benefits, including comprehensive health care (medical, dental and vision), 3% retirement match, as well as a generous offering of paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Brightline follows a hybrid work policy, requiring at least 3 days in the office per week. All Brightline Defense staff are required to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID 19. 

 

TO APPLY  

More information about Brightline Defense may be found at: www.brightlinedefense.org 

This search is being conducted with assistance from Phuong Quach and Sharon Gerstman of NPAG. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website. 

 

Brightline is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ, veterans, and other historically marginalized communities. We are committed to transparent and equitable recruitment, hiring and promotion processes that foster inclusion and belonging. If you’ve read this job description, are excited by it and can see yourself in this role, we hope you apply. If you need reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please email Sharon Gerstman at sharon@npag.com.