Director of Finance

Who We Are
Collective Energy develops solar+storage projects that help community health centers and other nonprofits nationwide lower energy costs and keep essential services running during outages with energy storage. We bring together financing for projects through a mix of clean energy tax credits, federal and state grants, and mission-driven capital (loans and PRIs). As our projects and portfolios grow, we’re building the financial foundation to expand that work.
Who You Are
We’re looking for an experienced finance leader to own our finance function. This is a hands-on role with meaningful influence in an early-stage company. You’ll evaluate financial structures, deliver reliable reporting, and help build a scalable company. We want someone who is mission-driven and has experience in the same or a comparable field, brings practical judgment, rolls up their sleeves to build the strategy, and turns recommendations into action, while serving as a key thought partner to the CEO and executive leadership.
You’ll manage outsourced bookkeeping and coordinate specialist advisors. There are currently no direct reports for this position.
What You'll Do
Key Responsibilities:

• Project finance and portfolio management.

• Own project and portfolio models covering feasibility, solar and storage economics, tax credits, construction and long-term debt, and operating return.

• Structure and execute project financing and financing partners, including capital stacks that combine tax credits and other grant funding; review term sheets and transaction documents.

• Maintain project capital accounts and a consolidated view of financing obligations, available capital, loan repayments, and guarantee exposure.

• Lead tax credit transfers and Direct Pay filings, tax credit insurance, and financing against expected credit.

• Oversee begin-construction and safe-harbor documentation, placed-in-service deadline tracking, prevailing wage and apprenticeship records, domestic content, prohibited foreign entity (PFE), material-assistance requirements, and recapture tracking.

• Evaluate entity structures, SPVs, Development and Holding Cos, including ownership implications Finance and accounting leadership.

• Own monthly close and consolidated reporting; direct outsourced accounting providers, review their work, and resolve technical matters.

• Own company budgeting, financial modeling, cash forecasts and variance analysis.

• Manage liquidity and funding needs across operations and projects, including program-related investments (PRIs) and other foundation capital, debt facilities and SAFE investments.

• Lead audit preparation and subsequent financial statement and federal grant audits with outside providers.

• Coordinate corporate/project tax planning and filing.

• Deliver reporting required by lenders, foundations, investors, and grant programs.

• Support the CEO’s capital raising through analysis, diligence, data room preparation, and funder discussion.

• Oversee billing, collections, payments, and the PEO relationship for payroll and benefits.

• Improve close, reporting, forecasting, and compliance workflows.

What You Bring

• 6+ years of progressive finance experience, including hands-on project finance or finance leadership in commercial solar, storage, or comparable energy development. Adjacent infrastructure experience is relevant where responsibilities closely match.

• Experience in clean energy project finance, tax credit sales.

• Experience in audit preparation.

• Experience in federal/state grant accounting (including 2 CFR 200).

• Experience managing multiple sets of books.

• Experience implementing automation in finance workflows.

• Experience managing project economics, multiple entities, and construction/long-term financing.

• Experience delivering results in a growing entrepreneurial business with a small team and outside advisors.

• Strong command of U.S. GAAP, financial statements, and project accounting; able to review technical work and own the numbers.

• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.

• Detail-oriented critical thinker and problem solver, with strong communication skills and sound business judgment.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a related field.

• CPA and/or MBA preferred.

What We Offer
Base salary of $150,000–$200,000, plus an annual performance bonus and profit-sharing plan. Placement within the range depends on relevant experience and qualifications.
Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision, and 401k

• Competitive paid time off

• Flexible work schedule/ remote work

Collective Energy is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Individuals who require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to participate in the search process should notify us.
Originally posted on Himalayas