About LACI
Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is creating an inclusive green economy for the people of Los Angeles by unlocking innovation by working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies, transforming markets through partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in transportation, energy, and sustainable cities, and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI Global. In the past ten years, LACI has helped 340 portfolio companies raise $697 million in funding, generated $323 million in revenue, and created 2,565 jobs throughout the Los Angeles region, with a projected 5-year economic impact of more than $573 million. Learn more at laci.org
Position Summary:
The Innovation Pilots Coordinator sits on LACI’s Market Transformation Team. The role is responsible for supporting LACI’s work to develop and execute catalytic pilots in communities with startups and partner organizations. This role will support the Innovation Pilots Team (currently 1 VP and 2 Managers) with pilot preparation, implementation, operations and refinement; as well as tracking key performance indicators that showcase the success or needed improvements of this important work to LACI staff, the communities in which we work, and our funding partners. This role reports to the Senior Manager of Innovation Pilots.
About LACI’s Innovation Pilots
LACI launched our Innovation Pilots in 2019 to help bring the benefits of the green economy to neighborhoods that often lack cleantech solutions yet are burdened with poor environmental quality, and to surface learnings that can be applied to scale the adoption of cleantech solutions throughout the LA region and beyond. LACI deploys these pilot projects with and within selected communities defined by the state as “disadvantaged communities” to address community needs as well as key technology, business model and educational challenges. Past and current pilots have tested electric vehicle car share models, e-bike lending library models, neighborhood electric vehicle shuttle services, and the deployment of induction stoves in low-income single-family homes.
What You’ll Do:
- Pilot Concept Development: Support the cross-team development of innovative pilot concepts including, but not limited to, the development of pilot strategy; the sourcing and assessment of technology options; the selection of pilot partners; etc. Collaborate with Senior Manager of Innovation Pilot, VP of Innovation Pilots and the cross-departmental Pilots Coordinating Team to establish pilot impact goals and success metrics.
- Pre-Pilot Preparation: Schedule internal LACI pilot kick-off meetings and assist in facilitation. Assist with recruitment and selection of technology providers and community partners, including uploading Requests for Information (RFIs) into LACI’s application platform and reviewing responses. Schedule and attend preparation meetings with selected technology providers, community partners, and external stakeholders. Take notes and send recaps with actionable items and next steps with clearly assigned leads to meeting participants.
- Collaborate with other departments within LACI: Support the Innovation Pilots team, Marketing and Communications, Government Affairs team to organize pilot launches and other outreach events. Work with the Pilots and LACI’s legal and compliance team to establish a data reporting plan. Support technology procurement efforts including submitting purchase orders and facilitating delivery.
- Pilot Implementation: Organize regular meetings with technology and community partners to track pilot implementation progress including supporting agenda drafting and meeting material creation as assigned. Support targeted marketing and outreach efforts and coordinate LACI-led community events and workshops to drive customer adoption and pilot utilization. Ensure pilot partner invoices are submitted in a timely manner, and assist with tracking pilot budget spend as needed. Support designated managers with partner follow ups and coordinate with managers on a day to day basis to ensure project needs are being met.
- Post Pilot Wrap-Up: Support Marketing and Communications team with data to organize final press events/materials, as needed. Support documenting key learnings as it relates to outreach, customer acquisition, and utilization to inform best practices for similar innovation pilots in the future. Provide final data and work with Innovation Pilots Team on final reporting
Why You’re Right for the Job:
- You are passionate about cleantech: You have an interest in making the world a cleaner, safer and better place to live in through clean technologies.
- You are a problem solver: You thrive in a highly collaborative work environment.
- You are adaptable: You are comfortable navigating ambiguity and working in agile environments.
- You enjoy working with community-based organizations and technology providers to support the needs of communities in the Los Angeles region.
- You are a systems person: You are excited about supporting pilots to identify what works and what doesn’t work with the end goal of applying these learnings to scale the adoption of cleantech solutions throughout the LA region and beyond.
Requirements:
Basically, we want to know you can get the job done. This means you have:
- BA/BS degree in related field
- Minimum of 1 year relevant experience
- Excellent writing and communication skills are required
- Organized and process-driven; ability to nimbly manage multiple projects and deadlines is a must
- Strong administrative skills, with an attention to detail and follow up on action items
- Proven project management skills or strong interest in developing these skills
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft and Google Suite
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in Asana and Salesforce
- Experience working with community-based organizations
- Experience working with early-stage startups
Work Requirements
- Must work in Downtown LA Office hybrid three days a week or more if there are events, meetings, etc.
- Some travel required across Los Angeles
Position Details:
This is a full-time position, starting immediately. LACI operates out of the La Kretz Innovation Campus, in the bustling Downtown LA Arts District. Since we are rapidly growing, you will be getting in on the ground floor at LACI, with the opportunity to evolve with us and shape your future here. Some travel may be required.
Salary Range: Coordinator Range $49-57k commensurate with experience, education, skills, etc and total compensation package including health benefits, 401k match, professional development, commuter benefits and more.
In addition to working on a campus with other innovators, we offer industry competitive benefits including: paid holidays, vacation/sick time, health benefits, 401(k) plan with match, and paid parking (with EV charge stations). We also support alternative transportation with a metro pass and bikeshare for every employee.
