Manager - Southeast Asia, Global South Program (Indonesia)

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)

Remote
Posted on Apr 2, 2026

Job Description:

RMI is seeking an experienced manager to oversee complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives at the intersection of energy transition, policy, and markets in Southeast Asia.

About RMI

RMI is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit working to transform global energy systems and align markets with a clean, resilient, and prosperous future. We partner with businesses, financial institutions, policymakers, and communities to accelerate solutions that unlock climate progress at scale.

About RMI's SE Asia Program

RMI’s Southeast (SE) Asia Program supports governments, utilities, corporates, financial institutions, project developers, technology companies, and industry experts in accelerating a clean, affordable, and resilient energy transition that strengthens the region’s economic development. Our work focuses on areas critical to Southeast Asia’s low-carbon transformation:

  • Power sector transformation, including grid modernization, renewable energy integration, and clean energy deployment;

  • Transport decarbonization, with an emphasis on e-mobility solutions and enabling ecosystems;

  • Industrial decarbonization, supporting pathways for cleaner and more competitive manufacturing and heavy industries; and

  • Built environment decarbonization, improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions from buildings, and supporting cooling and building-operations transitions.

These sectoral efforts are supported by cross-cutting work in climate finance, workforce development, and resilience, ensuring that the transition is inclusive, investable, and grounded in long-term economic opportunities.

RMI currently works with partners across Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore to develop practical solutions, inform decision-making, and accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies and approaches across the region.

This manager will be part of the SE Asia Leadership Team and report directly to the SE Asia Principal.

Position Overview

RMI is seeking an experienced manager with proven leadership track record to lead strategic engagements and impactful projects across Southeast Asia’s energy transition, with a strong focus on Indonesia. This role requires high-level problem-solving skills to deliver practical and actionable solutions to the interconnected complexities of political/institutional, financial, demographic, and technological changes in key markets in the region. Therefore, this role is intended for individuals who bring strong judgment, intellectual discipline, strong project management, and can advance projects/initiatives forward to achieve tangible results in a highly uncertain environment.

The Manager will collaborate closely with the SE Asia Principal on advancing RMI’s scope of work and strategy within the region. The Manager will be responsible for overseeing a portfolio of initiatives across electric mobility, built environment decarbonization, power systems, and industrial decarbonization.

This role will combine analytical rigor, sound judgment, and disciplined delivery to ensure initiatives remain strategically grounded while achieving agreed objectives. A successful candidate for this position will need to excel in three key areas:

  • Team leadership: The Manager will have the opportunity to supervise 1-3 direct reports, as well as lead diverse project teams of 3-8 contributors of varying experience levels.

  • Project management: The Manager will be responsible for managing projects from their inception until conclusion, including the day-to-day operations. The Manager will drive energy transition projects/initiatives forward while enriching the RMI teams’ capacities especially in the SE Asia Program.

  • Entrepreneurialism and Relationship Management: The Manager will be expected to think creatively and critically about how the project team and RMI can most effectively accelerate the transition to clean energy and improvement in energy efficiency. RMI empowers managers and others on the team to be entrepreneurial and self-directed in defining approaches to achieving the team’s goals. This extends to the external relationships we cultivate with partners and within the ecosystem to advance our impact.

Key responsibilities

Shaping the direction of strategic initiatives

  • Working with the SE Asia Managing Director, Principal, and RMI Development Team to develop concept notes, proposals, and budgets for new and existing strategic initiatives

  • Supporting, as needed, the SE Asia Principal and/or Managing Director in pitching initiatives to funders or partners

  • Working with RMI leaders to formulate regional and country strategies

  • Leading the development of thought leadership outputs (e.g. reports, white papers, blogs), technoeconomic analyses, research syntheses, and convenings

  • Structuring and delivering compelling presentations and written products to generate insights for partners and stakeholders

  • Contributing to the preparation of strategic project documentation, reporting, and materials required by funders and partners

Managing project execution and resources

  • Leading, monitoring, and troubleshooting projects in close collaboration with the SE Asia team, global RMI teams, and external partners
  • Leading the drafting and finalization of contracts with funders, clients, and partners
  • Ensuring project outcomes, objectives, and milestones are achieved on time and within budget
  • Identifying and mitigating resourcing, delivery, and financial risks in coordination with other project managers and program operations leads
  • Reviewing, tracking, and approving project expenses, including vendor and consultant invoices
  • Leading engagements with key stakeholders to achieve agreed objectives and milestones
  • Adapting project objectives, milestones, or delivery approaches as conditions change during implementation
  • Regularly reporting project progress to the SE Asia Managing Director, Principal, internal teams, and other relevant RMI stakeholders

Developing team structure and capabilities

  • Assisting the SE Asia Managing Director and Principal in setting team priorities and overall program direction
  • Contributing to the structuring and resourcing of the SE Asia team
  • Planning and supporting the capacity development of SE Asia team members
  • Leading the development and implementation of professional development plans for direct reports
  • Mentoring, motivating, and supporting project team members and direct reports
  • Managing and resolving working relationship challenges within project teams and across the SE Asia program
  • Writing project-level and biannual performance reviews for junior staff
  • Contributing to the ongoing improvement of team culture, communication, and ways of working

Required Qualifications

  • A graduate degree in an applicable field such as engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, energy), business (marketing, finance), international policy, law, economics, computer science, mathematics, or architecture

  • 8 or more years of relevant professional experience, or equivalent depth of responsibility after degree commencement

  • Prior work experience and proven track record in energy, transportation, electric vehicles, heavy industries, manufacturing, project finance, consulting, management consulting, project management, real estate development, or other relevant fields

  • Ability to understand complex and interconnected issues around energy transition and recommend practical and actionable potential solutions

  • Ability to perform effectively in projects/initiatives across various teams in SE Asia and beyond

  • Existing relationships with relevant energy, transportation, heavy industry, manufacturing, and/or real estate sector stakeholders

  • Excellent work references

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs

  • Fluent in English and effective communication and exceptional writing capabilities in English. Ability in another SE Asian language (e.g., Bahasa Indonesia, Tagalog, etc.) is a plus

Preferred Qualifications

  • Past experience working with NGOs/think-tanks/development organizations, consulting firms, or energy transition-related private sectors in the energy transition and sustainability ecosystem

  • Familiar with the landscape of future load growth and energy demand such as electric vehicles business and building energy efficiency in SE Asia and understands the key barriers and opportunities for growth

  • Understands fundamental financial and project financing principles, risks, and mitigation

  • Understands company incorporation, shareholding, financing, and governance mechanisms/processes

Location

Please note that this position prefers for this Manager to be based in Indonesia, but it is not an absolute requirement. This role has travel requirements across SE Asia depending on the projects/initiatives.

We provide you with the essential IT equipment plus a one-time home technology payment and monthly work from home/commuter allowance to ensure you have a comfortable home office set up and necessary supplies.

We love seeing each other in person! We occasionally gather for shared time together like retreats and learning experiences. Be ready to travel for occasional in-person meetings (and of course, we cover travel costs). Some roles may require more travel, which will be discussed during the hiring process.

Compensation

Salary to be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. This position is bonus-eligible, with the payout prorated based on the time in the role and organization's financial performance.

Benefits

RMI provides a comprehensive benefits package that will be based upon the statutory benefits per country of residence.

Diversity

We know that the diversity of our teams makes us stronger as an organization, and RMI is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity as outlined in U.S. federal law. We prohibit discrimination against applicants, interns, and employees on the basis of any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: age (40 and over), race, color, sex, pregnancy (including lactation, childbirth, or related medical conditions), religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender expression/identity, uniformed service member status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other applicable status protected by applicable law.

RMI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.