Principal

ABOUT THE AD HOC GROUP

The Ad Hoc Group, LLC (AHG) is a highly specialized consulting firm that helps climate tech startups quickly grow successful businesses in complex, regulated markets. We are experts at the intersection of policy and business and we’re on a mission to help scale the technology businesses the world needs to fight and adapt to climate change. We’ve helped companies like Dandelion, Rondo Energy, Charm Industrial, VEIR, Octopus Energy, Stripe Climate, SPAN, Impulse and many more shape their market and accelerate growth.

AHG is a team of advisors and consultants with a wide range of professional backgrounds who are deeply passionate about solving the climate crisis and who believe that building successful climate tech companies is a critical part of the solution. We bring first-hand experience as startup operators, founders, and energy market experts, and put in the work required to empathize with startups, advocates, investors, regulators, customers, and other stakeholders in the climate tech community. We build authentic, long-term relationships rooted in human connections and a belief that a community is more powerful than a network. We challenge ourselves and our clients on where and how to drive more equitable outcomes, both within our organizations and in the market. You can read more about our values and company culture here.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Principals are senior consultants who are responsible for managing multiple project teams and client accounts. The Principal will lead engagements with our clients, helping them develop and implement go-to-market, sales, and policy strategies to advance their revenue and growth goals. The Principal will leverage their industry expertise and relationships to deliver valuable insights and business outcomes, and ensure that AHG is always meeting or exceeding client expectations. The Principal will also support business development and will be expected to be in the market building and deepening relationships.

This is an outstanding opportunity for someone who has worked in a client facing role at the intersection of business and policy and is eager to increase their impact by helping multiple climate tech startups build a more sustainable future. Successful Principals at AHG find meaningful professional development, including a pathway to company leadership. Principals report to a member of the Leadership Team.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Serve as the lead consultant and project manager on client engagements, working with one or more junior colleagues, our advisor network, and our Leadership team to develop and execute go-to-market strategies that deliver measurable business results for clients, including but not limited to closing deals, executing partnerships, and facilitating favorable regulatory outcomes.
  • Manage the development of strategic collateral to advance business outcomes for AHG’s clients, including sales and investor decks, program proposals, regulatory comments and testimony before state public utility commissions and other federal, state and municipal bodies
  • Build, maintain, and deepen relationships with AHG’s clients, VC partners, utility officials, policy-makers, and corporate leaders
  • Support clients externally and advance their interests with key stakeholders as if you’re an extension of their full-time team
  • Manage and oversee the professional development of a small team of more junior client-facing consultants
  • Support AHG’s own growth by playing a key role in business development and organizational development efforts.
  • Build the AHG brand through thought leadership and participation in industry events

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Core Requirements

  • 10+ years’ experience working in one or more of the following types of organizations - startups, consulting firms, utilities, government, or advocacy groups - a combination of experiences is strongly preferred.
    • 3+ years of client-facing experience (e.g. sales, business development, account management, policy development or advocacy), preferably in the energy sector or directly with startups
    • 2+ years of people management experience and a proven ability to mentor and coach junior staff
  •  Deep energy policy and market expertise at the intersection of technology, utilities, and the grid, and significant experience in at least one of AHG’s verticals - eMobility, Grid/Energy Services, Building Decarbonization, Industrial Decarbonization, Resilience, and Carbon Removal
  • Strong network of trusted allies within the utility, climate tech, and government sectors, including but not limited to state public utilities commissions, governor’s energy offices, and relevant federal agencies.
  • Demonstrated ability to advance business outcomes in complex regulatory markets
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with frequent context switching
  • Highly collaborative work style with ability to work cross-functionally and manage work streams effectively in a matrixed environment
  • Top notch written and oral communicator with ability to convey technical information through accessible, compelling narratives to a wide range of audiences
  • Proven ability to identify, prioritize, and focus on objectives that matter most to growing startups
  • A critical and empathic thinker with an understanding of the complexities of climate policy and energy justice issues

Preferred Requirements

  • MBA, MPP, or related Masters

Don’t meet every single requirement?
Studies have shown that women, marginalized genders, and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualiïŹcation. If your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualiïŹcation in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

LOCATION

Flexible with a strong preference for one of our hub cities - we are a hybrid/remote firm with offices in four hub cities: San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, and New York. Up to 15% domestic US travel expected. We conduct mandatory team retreats at least two times a year in person, typically in our hub cities.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Starting pay for this role is typically between $160,000 and $190,000 commensurate with skills, experience, and qualifications. We determine pay based on experience, geography, internal equity, and any other factors related to the job. This position is eligible for an annual bonus (15%+) and participation in the company’s Equity Incentive Plan, which provides employees an opportunity to share in the future growth and success of AHG and its clients. AHG provides our employees with competitive benefits including a 401k plan with an automatic 3% employer contribution, group medical, dental, and vision coverage, a $1500 annual professional development benefit, and a flexible PTO policy.

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume and a cover letter through the Ad Hoc Group’s on-line portal.
Indicate the position to which you are applying. In your cover letter please address the following
questions: Can you share an example of a policy or market development client engagement you
led that resulted in a critical win in an energy market? What was your approach, and what did
you take away from the experience that you would bring with you to AHG and our clients?
Interview process and timeline:

  • Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
  • 2-3 Interviews will take place in October and November.
  • Top candidates will be asked to complete and potentially present a homework assignment to a panel of AHG team members
  • Finalists will be invited for in-person interviews in one of our Hub cities.
  • Reference checks are a key part of the process and will be completed for 2-3 finalists prior to an offer decision
  • We anticipate extending an offer by December with an anticipated start date in December or January 2025.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are not only company values but are essential for our success and that of our clients. The Ad Hoc Group is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives. AHG recognizes that climate change disproportionately affects people from historically marginalized backgrounds and that the solution to the climate crisis requires the leadership and inclusion of those most impacted. Our company is committed to building an inclusive and respectful culture, and we strive to build a firm that reflects the populations that our work serves. We highly encourage applications from people of color, women, and people from other backgrounds historically underrepresented in the climate tech community. If you need reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please email taylor@theadhocgroup.com.

This position is an at-will role and this job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the incumbent may differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job.