Climate Strategy Lead

VMware is looking for a Climate and Energy expert, who is passionate to be on a team with a broader purpose and business impact to deliver VMware’s 2030 Agenda focused on delivering outcomes of sustainability, equity and trust. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and executing VMware’s climate strategy, which is centered around achieving net zero emissions by 2030. This role is part of the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Office within the Office of the CTO.

Why will you enjoy this new opportunity?

VMware is committed to building a sustainable, equitable and more secure digital future for all. We do this by being a leading provider of multi-cloud services for all apps, enabling digital innovation with enterprise control. This is made possible by our people and the unique programs that engage and connect them. You will contribute your technical experience, knowledge, and experience as part of the ESG Office focused on leading key sustainability strategies, partnerships, and measurable outcomes. You will act as the subject matter expert for the company with an understanding of all aspects of climate strategy – including but not limited to, greenhouse gas accounting, climate risks and opportunities, science-based targets and reduction strategies. You will get to work cross-functionally with teams across the business in developing and executing climate smart strategies. In this role you will use your technical expertise as well as interpersonal skills as our climate strategy intersects with stakeholders across the various functions and business units at VMware. Most importantly, you will enjoy the opportunity to make a difference.

Success in the Role: What are the goals over the first 6-12 months including key responsibilities?

• Climate Strategy & Roadmap
• Develop and own execution of our corporate climate and net zero strategy
• Develop net zero ambitions and targets across all emission scopes
• Develop models and a technical roadmap for attainment in close partnership with our Finance and Business Group teams
• Oversee strategy around carbon and our long-range plan for carbon instruments, including purchasing carbon instruments and VPPA
• Net Zero Execution & Operations
• Develop overall portfolio plan including setting internal carbon targets by BUs and functional groups, while gaining the internal alignment to the set targets.
• Identify & manage enterprise-wide requirements, dependencies and governance models to achieve organizational level Net Zero targets. (e.g., Sourcing, Workplace, Finance, Business Units & Functions, etc.)
• Develop and implement ideas around employee engagement with VMware’s net zero commitment including the impact & benefits of being Net Zero
• Partner closely with cross-functional leadership team to drive execution progress
• Global Energy Resilience Modeling
• Provide oversight of our Community Microgrid project as we operationalize the first phase, and plan for future phases.
• Partner with Workplace on energy resilience and management including building, modeling and processes
• Industry Knowledge / Benchmarks
• Lead development of strategic emissions reporting frameworks and data management strategies, aligning with frameworks such as SBTi, CDP, GHG Protocol, TCFD, and SASB
• Stay abreast and incorporate research with external resources on specific industry trends, markets, technologies, or policies
• Dashboards, Insights & Analytics
• Define dashboards and rhythm to track & report on our quantifiable progress to our science-based targets and net zero commitments

Required Qualifications:

• Technical understanding and direct experience with climate science, carbon accounting, net zero concepts and science-based targets .
• In-depth knowledge and experience operationalizing climate mitigation, renewable energy, and SBTi targets and strategy, particularly for large-scale, global operations and supply chains
• Familiar with WRI GHG reporting protocol data gathering, cost/benefit analysis, and reporting, particularly for Scope 3
• Strong modeling background incorporating financial models and analytics
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues across all levels of the organization by leading through influence
• Excellent project management skills, with ability to drive projects from idea through to implementation, including identifying and implementing process improvements
• Strong EQ and ability to build champions amongst peers, internal & external senior stakeholders
• Demonstrated passion for decarbonization, clean energy, and sustainability-related subjects (sustainability experience desired, but not required)

Preferred Experience:

• Advanced Degree, preferably in environmental science, energy management, renewable energy, or another sustainability-related field or relevant professional experience.
• Strong understanding of climate and energy marketplace and trends
• Familiar with CDP Climate Change and Water Security questionnaire submittals and general knowledge of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings/rankings (e.g., Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), MSCI, and Sustainalytics)

This job may require the candidate to travel and/or work from a facility that requires full vaccination prior to entry.