Director, Clean Communities Investment Accelerator

The Justice Climate Fund (JCF) is a purpose-built nonprofit designed to provide the capital and technical knowledge necessary for community lenders to successfully finance clean energy projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities across the country. JCF will capitalize its coalition members, including Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) banks, loan funds, and housing developers, to create a clean and just energy transition for their communities.

JCF is supported by an existing ecosystem of partners, including the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, National Bankers Community Alliance, Partners for the Common Good, and Oweesta Corporation, along with technical assistance partners that will help community lenders deploy clean energy projects. With its $940 million award from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, JCF will stand up a Community-Based Green Lender Certification Program that utilizes several application waves and capital reservations to ensure that community lenders receive funding only once they have been appropriately assessed, trained, and certified.

About the Position

To move JCF to its next level of success, JCF seeks a Director to support the planning, execution, and delivery of projects & programs related to the implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. This role requires a dynamic individual with a strategic mindset, excellent leadership skills, and a proven program operations and project management track record.

Reporting to the Managing Director of Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, the Director will provide operational, compliance, financial management, and programmatic support for the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator program.

Job Responsibilities

Program and Project Management

• Support programmatic strategy, design, and implementation, developing operational guidelines and technical solutions that can be applied across the program
• Lead a team for the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple programs/projects across the organization
• Manage data collection and coordinate evaluation associated with JCF programs
• Convene, coordinate, and connect various stakeholders to encourage collaboration, coordination and sharing of best practices
• Communicate project/program status, milestones, and risks to stakeholders in a clear and timely manner
• Oversee comprehensive project/program plans, including scope, timelines, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Monitor project/program progress, ensuring adherence to schedule, budget, and quality standards
• Maintain a high-level of technical knowledge to identify and mitigate risks, issues, and dependencies across projects/programs
• Work with partner organizations, consultants, and other stakeholders to continuously evaluate, adapt, and improve program structure and the services provided

Compliance & Financial Management

• Establish and enforce quality standards and best practices for project/program management and delivery
• Conduct regular reviews and audits to assess project/program quality and compliance with standards and requirements
• Ensure compliance with external programmatic reporting requirements
• Support financial oversight of the program, including training and mentoring program staff, ensuring teams are appropriately developing budgets, forecasts, and pipelines to track and analyze commitments and expenditures, and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget
• Support the Managing Director in developing and managing budgets and forecasts and tracking expenditures and labor billing against targets throughout the fiscal year
• Provide periodic updates to leadership regarding the pace of spending and compliance with project deliverables timelines
• Ensure timely contractual compliance for department managed projects
• Review and approve program-related procurement actions as needed
• Serve as the primary liaison between the program team and other JCF operational teams, particularly finance and compliance Devise and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training materials for the program’s core business processes

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that encourages innovation and excellence
• Provide regular feedback and professional development opportunities for team members.
• Lead documentation and sharing of best practices
• Participate in meetings, conferences, and seminars to remain up to date on trends and emerging issues
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Managing Director

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit administration or relevant field; Advanced degree preferred
• 10 years of experience in proven experience in program design, management, implementation, and evaluation
• 5 years of experience advising, managing, and supervising teams assigned to a department or several project teams
• Must be deeply aligned with JCF’s mission, demonstrating a genuine passion for and experience in environmental justice and community lending
• Demonstrated experience solving complex technical, managerial, or operational problems
• Experience working with CDFI banks, CDFI loan funds, MDI’s, and/or nonprofit community lenders preferred
• Experience working in or with low-income and disadvantaged communities
• Experience working with or within technical assistance providers preferred
• Ability to deliver measurable outcomes through creativity and data-driven decision-making
• Must thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, as the organization is a new startup that is continuously evolving
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Proven ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Entrepreneurial mindset and passion for building and growing businesses
• A collaborative, flexible leader who projects maturity, confidence, and credibility to external stakeholders, investors, and partners and brings exceptional skills as an active listener, community convener, consensus builder, and advisor

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive health benefits package
• Flexible work arrangements
• Professional development funds and opportunities
• Collaborative and inclusive organizational culture

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

The Justice Climate Fund (JCF) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As an organization committed to diversity, we consider applicants equally without regard to age, race, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, or national origin on the basis of genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.