Director of Ecosystem Building and Market Development

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 underserved communities across the country. JCF will capitalize its network of lenders, 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 coalition members, 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, 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

The Justice Climate Fund (JCF) seeks a dynamic and highly collaborative Director of Ecosystem Building and Market Development to strengthen local market opportunities and connections that advance clean energy lending in underserved and low-income communities. Reporting to the MD of Partnerships, the Director of Ecosystem Building and Market Development will focus on identifying and developing priority markets, fostering strategic partnerships, and driving program innovation to support clean energy financing ecosystems aligned with JCF’s long-term vision.

The ideal candidate will be a creative thinker with a strong background in building partnerships across diverse stakeholders, including community-based organizations, capital providers, project developers, government agencies, and other climate eco-system stakeholders. The Director will work to align local market priorities with JCF’s overarching strategy, ensuring the organization’s work has lasting impact beyond its CCIA program.

Responsibilities

Market Development and Strategy

• Identify priority geographies, sectors, and partnerships that align with JCF’s mission to advance clean energy financing in low-income and underserved communities
• Collaborate with JCF leadership to design strategic opportunities, such as pilot programs or partnerships in target regions (e.g., State of Michigan Partnership)
• Conduct market analyses to understand local ecosystem needs, barriers, and opportunities for advancing clean energy project financing, and share insights across the organization to support program innovation and business objectives

Ecosystem Building and Partnerships

• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including capital providers, developers, small business and workforce organizations, utility or insurance companies, and local governments in local markets
• Partner with leadership to convene local partners to align priorities, share resources, and foster collaboration to attract investments and accelerate clean energy adoption across the spectrum of opportunities
• Support the design and implementation of initiatives that integrate climate lending with workforce development, entrepreneurship, and other community priorities

Program Innovation and Thought Leadership

• Partner with the Communications team to amplify JCF’s role and mission in priority markets, ensuring alignment with local market needs
• Collaborate across JCF teams to pilot and test innovative program models, leveraging local market insights to scale impactful solutions
• Develop replicable frameworks for ecosystem building that can be applied across regions to drive systemic change

Stakeholder Engagement and Impact Measurement

• Gather community insights and elevate voices of underserved communities to inform JCF’s strategy and program design
• Track and report on the progress and impact of local market efforts, providing data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement
• Contribute to the development of JCF’s thought leadership by sharing learnings and insights from local market engagement efforts

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree in social sciences, education, or a related field preferred
• Minimum 8 years of experience in market development, partnerships, or program design, ideally within community development, clean energy, or sustainability sectors
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse stakeholders, including community lenders, local governments, utilities, non-profits and other climate ecosystem stakeholders
• Experience with ecosystem building or advancing initiatives that integrate financing, community and economic development, and climate goals is a plus
• Must be deeply aligned with JCF’s mission, demonstrating a genuine passion for, and experience in, environmental justice and community lending
• Demonstrated experience in successfully negotiating and closing strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or similar collaborations
• Exceptional relationship-building and collaboration skills across diverse groups of stakeholders
• Strong strategic thinking and creativity, with a track record of identifying and executing innovative opportunities
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to synthesize and present complex information to varied audiences
• Proficiency in market analysis, program design, and managing multi-stakeholder initiatives
• Passion for advancing climate equity and clean energy financing in underserved communities
• Ability to work independently while thriving in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, start-up environment
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on results and impact

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.