Application Guide
How to Apply for Principal, Insurance & Climate Resilience - Climate Finance Program
at RMI
🏢 About RMI
RMI (formerly Rocky Mountain Institute) is a unique non-profit organization that combines rigorous analysis with practical implementation to accelerate the clean energy transition globally. Unlike traditional think tanks, RMI works directly with businesses, governments, and communities to deploy real-world solutions, with a bold mission to achieve a zero-carbon future by 2030. Working at RMI means being part of a mission-driven organization that bridges research and action to create tangible climate impact.
About This Role
As Principal of Insurance & Climate Resilience, you will lead RMI's strategy at the intersection of insurance markets and climate adaptation, designing initiatives that leverage insurance mechanisms to drive physical resilience outcomes. This role involves translating complex risk analytics into practical programs while serving as RMI's senior representative to insurance executives, regulators, and global institutions. Your work will directly influence how financial systems respond to climate risks and protect vulnerable communities.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve leading a strategy session with your team on designing a new resilience insurance initiative, followed by analyzing natural catastrophe risk models to identify high-impact opportunities. You could spend the afternoon presenting RMI's approach to insurance executives or regulators, then wrap up by mentoring junior staff on translating complex risk analytics into actionable policy recommendations.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who RMI Is Looking For
- A seasoned insurance professional with 10+ years experience at carriers, reinsurers, brokers, or risk advisory firms, with deep expertise in natural catastrophe risk modeling and pre-disaster mitigation strategies.
- Someone who understands both U.S. insurance regulation and global supervisory environments, capable of navigating complex regulatory landscapes to advance resilience-focused insurance solutions.
- A strategic leader who can design multi-year initiatives with analytical rigor while mentoring teams and building collaborative partnerships across the insurance ecosystem.
- A mission-driven individual who can articulate how insurance mechanisms can drive real-world climate resilience outcomes, not just manage financial risk.
📝 Tips for Applying to RMI
Quantify your impact in previous insurance roles—specifically highlight projects related to natural catastrophe risk, pre-disaster mitigation, or resilience-focused insurance products.
Demonstrate your understanding of RMI's unique approach by referencing specific RMI projects or publications related to climate finance, insurance, or resilience in your application materials.
Tailor your resume to emphasize both your insurance industry expertise AND your ability to work in a mission-driven, non-profit environment—RMI values this hybrid background.
Highlight any experience engaging with insurance regulators or supervisory bodies, particularly in the U.S. context mentioned in the requirements.
Show how you've previously built partnerships across sectors (insurance, government, philanthropy) as this role requires extensive external representation.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience in the insurance industry (carrier, reinsurer, broker, or advisory) and how it prepares you to lead RMI's insurance strategy.", "Examples of how you've advanced pre-disaster risk mitigation or resilience outcomes through insurance mechanisms in previous roles.", 'Your understanding of insurance regulation and ability to navigate U.S. and global supervisory environments.', "Why RMI's mission-driven, action-oriented approach to climate solutions aligns with your professional goals and values."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → RMI's Climate Finance Program and their existing work on insurance and resilience (review their publications and project portfolios).
- → RMI's unique organizational model as a non-profit that implements solutions, not just researches them.
- → RMI's 2030 zero-carbon mission and how insurance fits into their broader climate strategy.
- → Recent RMI thought leadership on topics like parametric insurance, disaster resilience, or climate risk disclosure.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing solely on traditional insurance risk transfer without demonstrating understanding of how insurance can drive pre-disaster resilience outcomes.
- Presenting generic climate experience without specific insurance industry expertise (the role requires deep insurance sector knowledge).
- Failing to research RMI's specific approach—applying with generic non-profit or consulting language rather than understanding RMI's unique action-oriented model.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!