Executive Director

Job Summary

This position exists to lead initial activities require to establish the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority (MnCIFA) and to direct its future activities. The purpose of MnCIFA is to accelerate the deployment of clean energy projects, greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects, and other qualified projects through the strategic deployment of public funds in the form of grants, loans, credit enhancements, and other financing mechanisms. This position will provide leadership and strategic direction to stand up MnCIFA. Duties will include: to work with the board of directors to development organizational documents and policies, to guide relationship building with interested parties, and to launch initial opportunity assessments in keeping with the Legislative statute. The incumbent in this position will lead efforts to ensure that MnCIFA leverages existing public and private sources of capital, in particular the Environmental Protection Agency National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds and US Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, to reduce the upfront and total cost of qualified projects and to overcome financial barriers to project adoption, especially in low-income communities.

Minimum Qualifications

5 years strategic leadership experience, supervisory, management experience. 

A bachelor's degree in the areas of Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics or other field relevant to the position can be substituted for one (1) year of experience. An advanced degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics or other field relevant to the position can be substituted for eighteen (18) months of experience.

Applicants who meet the above requirement will be further evaluated on:

• Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining effective professional relationships with all levels of management, governing boards, and stakeholders.
• Established skills and experience with setting organizational objectives and philosophy, conducting strategic planning, effective organization management and administration, insightful issue identification and problem solving, efficient contract and negotiating skills, and performing compliance and evaluation.
• Communication skills, both oral and written, and experience presenting to wide variety of audiences; in addition to relational management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing governance practices and procedures. 
• Experience in the clean energy / climate field. 
• Experience advancing outcomes toward delivering benefits to environmental justice and disadvantaged communities. 
• Experience analyzing financial data and legal compliance requirements, including laws, federal regulations, and state rules, policies, and procedures. 
• Knowledge of Minnesotans with potential interest in and opportunity to benefit from MNCIFA financing. 
• Knowledge of national GreenBank opportunities and models. 
• Background and experience in standing up and implementing new initiatives or programs. 
• Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with a team under ever changing conditions.

Physical Requirements

Requires occasional moving of articles such as boxes, accounting records, laptop computer, and portable printer.

Additional Requirements

Job offer is contingent upon passing reference checks to verify job-related credentials, a criminal background check and drivers' license check prior to appointment.

How to Apply

Go to the External Applicants link at https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/search-for-jobs/ and search for Job ID 79073.