Job Description
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Reports To: CEJJF Executive Director
The Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund (CEJJF) is Illinois’ nonprofit green bank, dedicated to fostering a sustainable future for all Illinois residents. Our purpose is clear: to make clean energy accessible to everyone while ensuring equitable distribution of its benefits. Founded through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, CEJJF is committed to ensuring that the advantages of the clean energy transition reach every corner of the state. Our innovative financing programs will prioritize historically underserved communities by offering financial products to equity-eligible contractors, low-income and environmental justice communities, and the businesses that serve them. CEJJF’s priorities are grounded in our commitment to equity and correcting systemic barriers in the clean energy economy.
Position Overview
The manager of green finance is a finance strategist responsible for a range of financial management and product development and deployment in support of CEJJF’s launch. To ensure program growth and sustainability to maximize CEJJF’s impact, this role includes onboarding lenders with CEJJF’s programs, managing their retention strategy, and facilitating reporting requirements. This position will engage in various types of financial modeling—including project finance, portfolio management, and forecasting—and the development of project cash management strategies with support from the senior strategist for climate and project finance. A strong understanding of the systemic barriers to clean energy financing and strategies for dismantling them is key to the success of this position.
CEJJF contracts directly with Public Sector Consultants (PSC) for staffing and management services. The manager of green finance will be an employee of PSC and report to the executive director of CEJJF.
The ideal candidate will be mission-driven, entrepreneurial, and have a passion for solving a range of complex problems using financial skillsets. At a high level, the manager of green finance will be responsible for the following:
- Building and managing relationships with financial institutions
- Supporting the development of innovative financing products that improve accessibility and drive equitable outcomes
- Executing, evaluating, and monitoring CEJJF's project investments (e.g., residential and commercial loans)
- Collaborating with CEJJF staff and board, PSC partners, and peers in the green banking community
This position is remote, based in Illinois.
Essential Duties
Program Guidelines, Agreements, and Systems
- Works with the executive director, board, and PSC to establish new lending programs and build out financing products
- Oversees the drafting, execution, and management of lender agreements, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, funder requirements, and regulatory compliance
- Negotiates lending terms with credit unions and other financial lending institutions, including borrowing rates, underwriting criteria, and reserve requirements
- Manages loan loss reserve allocations, ensuring accuracy, compliance with program guidelines, and alignment with financial partner expectations
- Participates in discussions with program partners and software vendors to facilitate decisions on the lending software platform
- Identifies issues that may warrant changes to programmatic and lending guidelines
- Provides input regarding programs and investments based on lender considerations
Project Financing
- Develops and maintains financial models to assess potential investment opportunities with the support of the senior strategist for climate and project finance
- Drafts financial documents, including investment memos and lending agreements, and engages in project due diligence with support of legal counsel
- Maintains organized underwriting files, ensuring compliance with financial standards
- Engages with partner lending institutions to streamline underwriting processes and facilitate transaction development
Lender Recruitment and Retention
- Serves as CEJJF’s primary liaison with financial institutions to encourage participation in CEJJF’s residential and commercial financing programs, fostering strong relationships to grow and support the lender network
- Develops and executes strategies for recruiting and retaining lenders
- Develops and delivers training programs to onboard new lenders and enhance their understanding of CEJJF’s programs, processes, and value propositions
- Manages ongoing relationships with partner lenders, monitoring their portfolios and reporting to the executive director and board
Internal and External Collaboration
- Identifies and evaluates potential partnership opportunities and initiatives with lenders that align with CEJJF’s mission, strategic priorities, and growth plans
- Monitors other clean energy financing programs and market trends to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities for CEJJF; provides input to the executive director and board on the development of and revisions to financing programs
- Collaborates with the director of engagement and partnerships and PSC on marketing, outreach and engagement strategies, and materials to ensure the needs and perspectives of lenders are considered and to understand the needs of CEJJF’s customer base
Competency Profile
Business Acumen
Anticipates business challenges; is knowledgeable in current and future policies, trends, and information affecting the business; synthesizes complex information for a variety of audiences; is adept at making decisions in a timely manner, sometimes with incomplete information
Communication
Translates complex data into easily understandable concepts; communicates results to stakeholders in an insightful and engaging manner; synthesizes complex information for a variety of audiences
Curiosity
Seeks new knowledge to enhance personal and professional development; asks thoughtful and focused questions and listens sincerely to the answers; maintains a growth mindset to support CEJJF’s mission
Organizational Agility
Adapts quickly in response to changes in internal conditions and external market demands; connects multiple business processes in support of functional areas and/or firmwide priorities, strategies, and initiatives
Relationship Management
Creates, maintains, and grows effective relationships with clients, subject matter experts, colleagues, and leaders; accepts feedback and adapts to changing priorities; enthusiastically grows a lender network and leverages CEJJF’s capabilities
Technical Skills
- Strong understanding of consumer lending principles, terminology, financial regulations, fair lending laws, and others; familiarity with lending and financial technology platforms
- Financial modeling and strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel or other modeling software
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a related field (MBA or professional certifications preferred)
- Three years of experience in financial analysis, credit underwriting, or project finance, preferably in renewable energy or clean energy
- Mission-driven and relationship-focused individual interested in the confluence of social equity and project finance
- Understanding of systemic barriers to clean energy financing
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to present financial data in a clear, concise manner to nonfinancial stakeholders
- Familiarity with loan origination software and other financial technology platforms
- Comfortable working in a start-up environment during a high growth period
Work Environment
CEJJF employees work fully remotely. Work is primarily performed indoors, with extended periods at a computer or on the phone. The nature of the work involves multitasking, completing repetitive tasks, and having contact with the public, stakeholders, and clients. This position will require statewide travel, up to 30 percent of the time.
Compensation
- Salary range of $95,000–$135,000 commensurate with education and experience
- Competitive medical, dental, life, disability, and voluntary vision
- Paid parental leave
- Company 401(k) contribution
- Paid time off granted upon start date
- Nine paid holidays per year, summer Fridays, and year-end close
This position will close on Monday, June 16, 2025.
Job Tags
Holiday work, Full time, For contractors, Summer work,