Director of Research, Building Decarbonization Alliance

Title: Director of Research, Building Decarbonization Alliance

Location: Remote, anywhere in Canada

Details: Full-time, virtual role

Compensation: To be negotiated

Application: Applicants interested in this position are invited to forward their resume and short cover letter to info@transitionaccelerator.ca. Please put ‘Director of Research, Building Decarbonization Alliance’ in the subject line, and tell us where you found this job posting (e.g. LinkedIn). We will be accepting candidates on a rolling basis, until the right candidate is found.

Organizational overview

The Transition Accelerator is a charity dedicated to solving Canada’s business and social challenges while moving Canada down viable pathways to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The Building Decarbonization Alliance is a new initiative of the Transition Accelerator; it is a coalition of stakeholders from across Canada dedicated to promoting building electrification. It brings together key players from across the sector including building owners and managers, HVAC equipment manufacturers, distributors and installers, architects and engineers, the construction industry, utilities, start-ups, civil society, researchers, financial institutions, and government.

Vision

A future where electrified buildings are part of an affordable and resilient energy system that contributes to a prosperous, sustainable, and decarbonized Canada.

Mission

The BDA is a cross-sectoral coalition working to accelerate the electrification of buildings in Canada . Our vision and mission recognize the role of other solutions (e.g. low carbon fuels) and how they can contribute to helping achieve a net-zero building sector. However, we believe that the immediate focus needs to be on ready-to-deploy solutions such as electrification.

About the role

The Accelerator is seeking a motivated individual who wants to help drive the advancement of the organization’s mandate within the new Building Decarbonization Alliance (BDA) as Director of Research.

The Director of Research will lead the planning and deployment of BDA research initiatives, including quantitative and qualitative primary and secondary research to further the analysis of the impacts of electrification on buildings, the grid, and stakeholders. A primary component of these initiatives will include the development and use of data sources and modelling tools in collaboration with a network of practitioners and users including the newly announced Energy Modeling Hub.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Building Decarbonization Alliance the Director of Research will: 

• Develop and lead the planning and execution of building electrification research initiatives, which may include coordinating qualitative and quantitative research initiatives among BDA partners, defining and overseeing BDA original research and working alongside governments and industry to further our common understanding of the building electrification pathway.
• Engage experts in key sectors to develop research questions, research inputs and recommendations on analysis methods, and develop plans to close gaps in our analysis of the electrification pathway.
• Contribute to the development, populating and deployment of new energy end-use modelling tools to advance building electrification research.  
• Work internally with the Communication and Knowledge Mobilization teams to co-develop appropriate communications and stakeholder engagement strategies to maximize the impact of BDA research.
• Ensure the BDA and the Transition Accelerator develop strategic relationships with and solicit ongoing feedback from, key stakeholders on end-use modelling projects, including government, industry, Indigenous groups, academia, and civil society.
• Advocate for the Building Decarbonization Alliance and the Transition Accelerator to act as independent intermediaries to deliver a comprehensive net-zero buildings policy and research for Canada.
• Brief key decision makers on building electrification research initiatives as the work evolves.
• Undertake other responsibilities that may arise using the selected applicant’s expertise. 

Required Experience, Qualifications, and Skills

The ideal candidate will possess the following experience and personal traits. Please note that The Transition Accelerator values diverse perspectives and will consider relevant life experience alongside professional qualifications when reviewing applications:  

• At least 8 years of proven experience in energy and decarbonization research and analysis for the built environment. Experience in developing and/or working with bottom-up energy end-use models or top-down techno-econometric models is desirable.
• Proven experience in project management for qualitative and quantitative research assignments and within collaborative, stakeholder-facing roles. 
• Demonstrated understanding of building electrification technologies, supply-chains, influence pathways, and programs in the residential, commercial, and institutional sectors.
• A university degree preferably in engineering, climate science, economics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated capacity to synthesize and transform knowledge into compelling messages and materials to support collaborative work.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills with fluency in written and spoken English, bilingualism in English and French is an asset.
• An interest in advancing Canada’s transition to net zero.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with a diversity of stakeholders, including government, industry, academia, and Indigenous groups.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Out-of-the box thinker with strong empathy, professionalism, and a drive to make things happen.
• Responsible, takes initiative, and likes to be held accountable for results.
• Ability to work in a quickly changing, sometimes uncertain environment.  
• Experience and comfort in managing remote processes.  
• Demonstrated extensive experience in using the Microsoft Suite of applications, especially Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Additional information

• This is a full-time role, with duties that will evolve as the organization grows.  
• This is a fully remote position, but the selected applicant should be able to participate in in-person meetings across Canada.  

Application

Applicants interested in this position are invited to forward their resume and short cover letter to info@transitionaccelerator.ca; please put ‘Director of Research, Building Decarbonization Alliance’ in the subject line and tell us where you found this job posting (e.g. LinkedIn). The position will remain open until the candidate with the right fit for the organization is hired. This position has an attractive compensation package benchmarked to sector standards.  

The Accelerator recruits employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, colour, age, sex, national origin, disability, and other protected status as required by applicable law.