Job Description
Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct the search for the
Chief Executive Officer of the Great Plains Institute , a nationally recognized organization that combines a unique consensus-building approach, deep expertise, research, and analysis with on-the-ground action to advance lasting and equitable decarbonization, climate, and energy solutions. This is a full-time, onsite position based in Minneapolis, MN. This is a remarkable moment to join an organization whose work not only strengthens communities and modernizes America’s energy infrastructure but also advances shared prosperity, industrial innovation, and domestic energy independence. GPI’s next leader will help shape the Institute’s future at a time when pragmatic, equitable, and economically grounded climate leadership is more essential than ever.
ABOUT GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE: The Great Plains Institute (GPI) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization accelerating the transition to a net-zero carbon economy for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment. For nearly three decades, GPI has earned a national reputation for transforming complex energy and climate challenges into durable, consensus-driven solutions that bridge political, economic, and geographic divides.
Rooted in its Midwestern origins yet national in reach, GPI has grown dramatically, from a small regional nonprofit to a widely respected organization powered by more than 80 experts across 23 states and Washington, D.C. Its “center-out” approach brings together government, industry, labor, philanthropy, academia, and community voices to drive pragmatic progress where it is most needed and often hardest to achieve.
Guided by a strategic foundation built on its vision of an equitable net-zero carbon economy and its core values, which are to be trusted, inclusive, equitable, pragmatic, and transformative, in all it does. GPI works across the entire energy system, from applied research and analysis to policy design, market transformation, and local implementation. Its work has shaped bipartisan federal energy policy, supported thousands of communities pursuing climate and resilience goals, and enabled states and regions to adopt ambitious clean energy strategies grounded in economic opportunity.
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Chief Executive Officer will serve as GPI’s strategic leader, responsible for guiding the organization, ensuring effective execution of Board priorities, and providing transparent and inspirational leadership that invites and enables others to do their very best work. As GPI’s “Communicator in Chief,” this leader champions a people-centered culture grounded in collaboration, trust, and high performance. They model GPI’s core values in every interaction and position the Institute as a respected thought leader and sought-after partner across the energy and climate ecosystem, translating vision into action through strategic relationship-building, external visibility, and sector influence.
Stepping into a pivotal moment of leadership transition, the CEO will bring steady, relational leadership marked by humility, deep listening, and trust-building. This leader will help GPI evolve its decision-making structures, strengthen cross-program integration, and enhance fundraising capacity while honoring the organization’s entrepreneurial spirit and consensus-driven culture. Ultimately, they will serve as both steward of GPI’s mission and a catalyst for the organizational evolution required to sustain and amplify its long-term impact.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Strategy: - Partner with the Board and staff to establish and regularly refresh a clear and compelling strategic foundation, including GPI’s vision, mission, and core values.
- Guide the implementation of the strategic plan and partner with the Board and Management Team to refine and operationalize it as needs evolve.
- Ensure GPI sustains a purposeful, high-impact portfolio of programs and initiatives aligned with the strategic plan.
- Strengthen cross-program collaboration to enhance cohesion and align programmatic strategies toward shared mission outcomes.
- Collaborate with the Management Team to strengthen organizational structure, leadership capacity, and internal systems needed to support near- and long-term goals.
- Advance GPI’s commitments to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Environmental Justice across all aspects of the organization.
- Oversee the implementation of systems that measure, evaluate, and effectively communicate program outcomes, organizational impact, and financial performance.
- Proactively identify emerging risks and guide organizational decision-making through scenario planning, adaptive strategies, and thoughtful mitigation.
Fundraising: - Work closely with the Management Team to maintain GPI’s financial health and ensure sound resource management.
- Lead and expand GPI’s fundraising capacity, including establishing development infrastructure and practices that support long-term sustainability.
External Engagement: - Cultivate and expand relationships with funders, partners, and sector leaders, securing transformational investments and elevating GPI’s presence and influence across the energy and climate ecosystem.
- Build and sustain cross-sector partnerships with public-interest groups, government, industry, academia, and media that advance GPI’s mission and expand its influence.
Board of Directors: - Foster a strong governance partnership by providing transparent, consistent updates to the Board on organizational performance and strategic progress, while recruiting, developing, and engaging a diverse Board positioned to guide GPI’s long-term success.
- As an ex officio Board member, contribute to fiduciary oversight, governance excellence, strategic direction, and fundraising efforts.
Organizational Leadership: - Retain, develop, and attract a high-performing Management Team that delivers aligned, mission-driven leadership across the organization.
- Oversee annual budgeting and organizational performance with the Management Team, ensuring effective course correction in response to evolving challenges and opportunities.
- Maintain a visible, accessible leadership presence and engage regularly with staff at all levels through both in-person and virtual touchpoints.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: - Bachelor’s degree required, with an advanced degree preferred, and a minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience.
- Significant knowledge of the energy and climate landscape, with enough fluency to be credible with staff, funders, and partners.
- Demonstrated track record of leading and scaling a performance- and outcomes-based organization, including developing and operationalizing strategies that elevate organizational impact.
- Strong executive experience with the ability to provide visionary, strategic leadership across programs and initiatives.
- Proven success inspiring, supporting, and developing diverse teams through engaged, servant-minded leadership that drives long-term goals.
- Recognized for strong communication skills, compelling public speaking, persuasive writing, and the ability to represent GPI confidently with external audiences.
- Exceptional interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution abilities, grounded in emotional intelligence and the capacity to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics with empathy and clarity.
- Ability to synthesize and translate complex ideas for non-expert audiences, fostering understanding and shared alignment.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to see connections among disparate ideas, identify emerging opportunities, and drive innovation, including the strategic use of technology and AI.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in fundraising, particularly with foundations; experience with government grants and fee-for-service contracts is a plus.
- Experience engaging and partnering with non-staff leadership bodies such as boards of directors and advisory councils.
- Ability to lead with resilience and courage through change, uncertainty, and adversity while fostering a mission-aligned, values-driven culture.
- Positive, solutions-focused approach with intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and strong analytical skills.
- Background in legislative, policy, regulatory, or government affairs work is preferred.
- Capacity to travel up to 25%.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: This full-time, onsite executive role offers an extraordinary opportunity to lead one of the nation’s most respected and mission-driven energy and climate nonprofits into its next chapter of impact. The position offers a competitive salary range of $250,000–$300,000 (DOE), along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage with substantial employer contributions, employer-paid life and disability insurance, paid family and medical leave, a generous PTO and holiday package, and a 401(k) plan with a one-to-one employer match up to 10% of base salary. Team members also receive a monthly communication stipend and an annual professional development budget.
APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS: Great Plains Institute has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in recruiting for mission-driven organizations, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter, formatted in Microsoft Word, via:
Please address applications to:
Ellen Johnson, Executive Recruiter
Scion Executive Search Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.
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Job Tags
Full time, Interim role, Local area, Immediate start,