Vice President and Managing Director, SE Rural Power Solar for All

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Vice President and Managing Director, SE Rural Power Solar for All (Vice President) will lead the strategic direction, implementation, and management of Groundswell’s EPA Greenhouse Gas Fund-funded (GGRF) SE Rural Power Solar for All Program (SE Rural Power). Consistent with the purposes of the EPA’s GGRF Solar for All Program and the Justice40 initiative, the SE Rural Power Program will deliver deep electricity bill savings to tens of thousands of income-qualified residents across Alabama, Arkansas, Northern Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Central and Southern Virginia by delivering a range of financial assistance tools to deploy community solar with associated energy storage, in partnership with local nonprofit rural cooperative and municipal utilities across the region.

The Vice President and Managing Director of SE Rural Power Solar For All will report to the Chief Executive Officer and work alongside the Groundswell leadership team in a collaborative, team-driven environment, frequently communicating and engaging directly with members of Groundswell’s finance, legal, compliance, and operations teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fund Management:

• Oversee the implementation of a $156.6 million EPA GGRF Award to build community solar projects, including associated energy storage, to reduce pollution and to deliver deep electricity bill savings to Justice40 communities and LMI households in the Southeast.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to maximize the impact and reach of each form of financial assistance encompassed within the SE Rural Power Program.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial and regulatory requirements, including procurement policies, Build America Buy America, and David Bacon.

Community Solar:

• Lead an annual RFP process to identify, evaluate, and select community solar projects, which may include associated storage, in collaboration with SE Rural Power Coalition Partners and informed by input from local Community Advisory Councils.
• Work closely with Coalition Partners community stakeholders to ensure projects meet local needs and preferences.
• In close collaboration with Groundswell’s subscriber management team, deploy Groundswell’s subscription software tailored to LMI households to facilitate affordable access to solar energy through the SharePower platform.

Workforce Development:

• Design and implement an aligned workforce development plan focused on training and employment opportunities in distributed energy sources and energy efficiency.
• Collaborate with Coalition Partners, community-based organizations, educational institutions, workforce development agencies, and industry partners to create training programs and career pathways.
• In alignment with the Justice40 initiative, advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within all workforce development activities.

Loan Loss Reserve and Project Pre-Development Loans:

• Establish and manage a loan loss reserve and project predevelopment loan fund to backstop BDEs interested in clean energy and energy efficiency projects.
• Work with financial institutions, investors, CDFIs, and BDEs to structure and promote the loan loss reserve program.
• Monitor and report on the performance and impact of financial assistance.

Negotiations and Deal Structuring:

• Negotiate with solar developers to secure favorable terms for projects.
• Raise capital for renewable energy projects through various funding sources, including grants, investments, and partnerships. Leverages EPA grant funds to maximize resources.
• Structure renewable energy deals to ensure financial viability and alignment with the organization’s goals, Coalition Partner needs, and GGRF program requirements.
• Manage complex legal structures associated with renewable energy projects.

Federal Grants Management:

• Oversee the implementation, management, and compliance of EPA grant related to Southeast Rural Power: Solar for All grant.
• Oversee compliance efforts and ensure accurate reporting and adherence to all Federal guidelines and requirements in connection with the Southeast Rural Power: Solar for All grant.
• Develop strategies to secure additional Federal, state, philanthropic, and private sector funding for ongoing and future projects.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Lead engagement with SE Rural Power Program Coalition Partners, including identification and onboarding of potential additional Coalition Partners in the region.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including community-based organizations, government agencies, industry partners, local nonprofit utilities, philanthropic funders, and financial institutions.
• Identify and educate key stakeholders about policies and initiatives that support community solar, clean energy, and energy efficiency.
• Represent the organization at industry conferences, public forums, and stakeholder meetings.

New Product and Program Design:

• Contribute to the design and development of new products and programs to advance renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency in the Southeast consistent with the EPA’s grant agreement.
• Contribute to the development of subscription models, financial products, and community engagement strategies to enhance program reach and impact.
• Pilot and scale new initiatives in collaboration with internal teams and external partners.

Supporting Rural Communities:

• Develop and implement strategies specifically tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities in rural communities.
• Engage with rural stakeholders to understand their needs and customize projects to support sustainable development in these areas.
• Monitor and report on the impact of projects in rural communities to ensure they meet desired outcomes.

Reporting and Evaluation:

• In alignment with EPA reporting and evaluation requirements and Groundswell’s strategic plan, develop and implement metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of programs and initiatives.
• Prepare regular reports for the CEO, board of directors, awarding Federal Agency, and other stakeholders on program progress and outcomes.
• Identify and implement improvements based on program evaluations and stakeholder feedback.

Leadership and Supervision:

• Lead the formation of Groundswell’s SE Rural Power Program implementation team, including identifying key roles, development of position descriptions, and leading the hiring process with the support of the Organizational Development/HR team.
• Lead and supervise multidisciplinary teams, including project managers, financial analysts, legal experts, compliance and grants management experts, and technical specialists.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment in alignment with Groundswell’s Core Values that encourages innovation and excellence.
• Mentor and develop team members, providing guidance and support to help them achieve their professional goals.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts to ensure cohesive and effective project implementation.

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SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This role will lead the newly established SE Rural Power SFA department, including managing an

initial team of 5-6 FTE’s.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a remote-based position with occasional travel to meet with partners and stakeholders in person, mainly in the Southeast region. The Vice President and Managing Director, SE Rural Power Solar for All, will be expected to be able to work from home in a suitable workspace situated in the Southeast region, with a preference for GA or AL.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS

This is a full-time, 40-hour-a-week position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and core hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

TRAVEL

This position will require regional travel, including visits to Groundswell’s LaGrange, GA office and its Washington, DC headquarters for quarterly meetings and/or special events.

In-person meetings within the Southeast region are highly valued, and whenever possible, the VP will be expected to meet partners in person.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree highly desired.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in leadership is required.
• 10-15 years of professional experience in finance, business development, and federal grant management.
• Must demonstrate strong business acumen and an understanding of managing solar energy programs and projects.
• Professional experience in clean energy or renewable, environmental justice, or community development fields required

COMPENSATION

Compensation for this position is in Groundswell’s established pay band for the Vice President level and includes a full-time employee benefits package.

BENEFITS

Groundswell pays 100% of the monthly premium for health, dental, vision, and long-term disability for full-time employees in accordance with Groundswell’s policy. Groundswell also covers 50% of spouses and dependents covered under the Groundswell healthcare, vision, and dental plan.

• Matching 401 (k) plan contribution by Groundswell up to 4% for employees who choose to contribute to Groundswell’s 401 (k) plan, with immediate vesting.
• Monthly Development Days to focus on professional development opportunities
• $45 per month to reimburse cellular phone use for business purposes.
• $75 per month to reimburse home internet access for business purposes.
• Fifteen (15) paid vacation days per year, eight (8) sick days, and two (2) personal days. Vacation and sick leave accrue at the start of your employment, restart each year on January 1, and increase with tenure. Personal days begin after six months of employment.
• Groundswell also takes nine (9) paid federal holidays and a holiday break from December 24th to January 1st (inclusive).
• Short-Term Disability Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, and Voluntary Life available.
• Pre-tax benefits such as Smart Benefits, Flexible spending accounts, and Dependent care are also available.