Position: Part Time (halftime) Employee 20 hours per week, for an initial term of six (6) months with potential increase to full time thereafter depending on Budget.
Compensation: $42,500 - $51,000 part-time (half-time) annual (commensurate with experience)
Location: Remote (with occasional travel for PSEF Staff and Member program events)
Application Deadline: December 20, 2023
Start Date: Projected January 15, 2023 (or as soon as filled)
Reports: PSEF’s Co-Directors
ABOUT PSEF
The People’s Solar Energy Fund is an innovative member-organized nonprofit working to advance energy democracy by supporting the development and scaling of community-led and community-owned clean energy projects. Primarily focussed on supporting frontline low-income, Black, Indigenous and communities of Color throughout the development process, PSEF serves as a resource commons where community-based solar developers can access project capital, technical assistance and shared services and be part of a learning community of project developers.
POSITION OVERVIEW
PSEF seeks a dynamic, mission-aligned Finance Manager to manage the organization’s overall financial functions, program budgets and day-to-day financial operations. The role offers an exciting opportunity for a strategic thought-partner to work alongside the management team in building out PSEFs financial products and program offerings, at a critical growth stage of the organization. The Finance Manager will play a critical role in translating program goals to budgets and supporting financial decisions around member services and programs. In addition, the Finance Manager will oversee the organization's overall financial compliance processes, budgeting, accounting, reporting and audit-related activities. The successful candidate will be a creative, detail-oriented manager and team player, with a strong commitment to supporting grassroots-led community solutions.
This position is remote (with limited travel to regional/national convenings) and reports to PSEF’s two Co-Directors, with limited reporting to the PSEF Board. The Finance Manager will form an integral part of PSEF’s small team and is an excellent opportunity for an individual looking to make a positive impact and grow with an organization committed to community-led solutions in the regenerative economy.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary responsibilities of the Finance Manager will include, but not be limited to the following:
Strategic Financial Planning & Budgeting
- Collaborate with PSEF Co-Directors and Management in developing, obtaining approval for and implementing the PSEF’s annual budget.
- Work with PSEF Management and Program Coordinators in developing and implementing program-specific budgets.
- Provide strategic thought-leadership around PSEF’s business model, including analyzing financial impacts of various programs (e.g technical assistance, loan funds and other revenue sources).
- Provide advice on long term financial and business planning, as well as ideal financial products for members (in light of funding opportunities flowing from Inflation Reduction Act).
Financial Management Oversight
- Oversee quarterly cash flow planning (including preparing cash flow statements, cash management plans) process and provide analysis in a timely manner.
- Provide advice on financial planning and managing relationship between PSEF and related entity, People’s Solar Energy Cooperative (PSEC)
- Prepare financial forecasts and investment reports.
- Support with financial decisions related to PSEC and PSEF shared services.
- Ensure all financial operations are in compliance with Federal and State laws.
- Provide strategic advice and recommendations to Executive Leadership.
Fundraising Support
- Supporting Fund Development Consultant with budgeting and financial aspects of organizational fundraising efforts.
- Support grant management and reporting processes.
Program Financial Management Support
- Provide financial management support for PSEF Member programs, including: integrating the work of loan fund design consultants into broader organizational financial strategy; building out of technical assistance & capacity building programs; building out the aggregated shared services and products offered by PSEF and PSEC.
Financial Reporting & Board Reporting
- Present quarterly and annual financial statement and reports to the PSEF Executive Committee and PSEF Board.
- Provide oversight for the annual audit/review process - including liaising with the auditor and overseeing audit functions.
Compliance
- Carry out and oversee all financial compliance with relevant Federal and State laws.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
Education
- Bachelor’s degree, with a major in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or substantially similar major is required.
- An MBA or other advanced-level degree in finance, business or accounting (including CPA or CFA) preferred.
Experience and Skills
- Minimum of 7 years experience in accounting, finance, or loan fund management is required (10+ years preferred)
- Experience in nonprofit accounting and/or loan fund financial management preferred.
- Experience implementing budgets to program departments and tracking expenses.
- Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
- Understanding of or experience working with non-extractive lending principles.
- Strong communication & interpersonal skills, enthusiastic and passionate about PSEF’s mission.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of accounting, finance, budgeting principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Strong proficiency in the use of business and financial management software (incl. MS Excel).
- Strong financial analysis and forecasting skills.
- Experience or familiarity with renewable energy project finance structures (including tax equity partnership flip structure) or community-based finance.
- Familiarity with environmental justice work, energy efficiency, renewable energy required and related work experience preferred.
- Knowledge, understanding and ability to work under a Just Transition framework, Restorative Justice lens required; related work or volunteer experience preferred.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Time: Half-time (on average 20 hours per week) initially, with the scope to increase to full time
- Schedule: Determined between Finance Manager and PSEF Co-Directors
- Benefits: This is a part time employee position with pro-rated benefits, as per PSEF’s Employee Benefits policies.
Equal Opportunity / Diversity
PSEF is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an open, inclusive and affirming work environment that reflects the rich diversity of our communities. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, people with a lived experience of poverty/ racism and people from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. We strive to center the voice and work of BIPOC and frontline low-income communities, and expect all applicants to be dedicated to the work of environmental justice - which includes dismantling racism and rooting out all inequities that negatively impact BIPOC and low-income communities.