What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Director position at Baton Rouge Area Foundation?
Program Director, Solar For Y’all
Louisiana Clean Energy Fund (LCEF)
About the Organization
The Louisiana Clean Energy Fund (LCEF) partners with public, private, and community organizations to advance clean energy initiatives statewide. Our mission is to foster a just, healthy, resilient, sustainable, and prosperous Louisiana. LCEF emphasizes building resilience in communities while promoting economic growth, environmental stewardship, and workforce development.
LCEF is a supporting organization of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF), a trusted community foundation with over 60 years of experience serving South Louisiana and has a proven history of supporting complex initiatives through financial stewardship, program management, and compliance with federal funding requirements.
LCEF is proud to partner with the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (LDENR) as the sole subrecipient of Louisiana’s Solar For All grant: Solar For Y’all. In this collaboration, LCEF provides strategic program oversight and operational expertise, while LDENR ensures alignment with statewide energy and environmental priorities and compliance with federal standards. Together, we are working to advance access to clean energy across Louisiana, with a shared commitment to empowering communities and fostering environmental resilience.
About the Role
The Solar For Y’all Program Director (Program Director) will lead the implementation of Louisiana's Solar For Y’all initiative, supported by LCEF’s partnership with BRAF. Reporting to BRAF's Chief Operating Officer, the Program Director will oversee strategic planning, financial management, grant compliance, and stakeholder engagement to ensure the success and sustainability of the program.
This is a unique opportunity to lead an impactful initiative at the forefront of Louisiana’s energy transition. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in fund management, private lending, and stakeholder collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
Fund Strategy & Management (30%)
- Collaborate with the Board to design and execute funding structures, leveraging and amplifying investments through braiding and stacking of funding streams.
- Create and enforce credit and eligibility standards for program participants and vendors, ensuring compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements.
- Build strong partnerships with solar developers, creditors, and lenders to attract investment and participation in the fund’s programs.
- Develop and operationalize innovative financial instruments in collaboration with consultants and vendors.
- Ensure grants and investments support workforce development and provide technical assistance to address participation barriers.
Grant Compliance, Administration & Reporting (40%)
- Oversee compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, particularly EPA *Solar For All* grant requirements.
- Monitor and meet reporting deadlines, ensuring accuracy and adherence to Quality Management Plans (QMP) and Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAAP).
- Maintain and optimize administrative processes to ensure organizational integrity and accountability.
- Stay updated on relevant EPA regulations, communicating changes across the organization.
Staff Management (20%)
- Recruit, onboard, and manage a growing team, fostering a positive and collaborative team culture.
- Oversee marketing, strategic partnerships, and community outreach, ensuring alignment with program goals and strategic priorities.
- Coordinate with finance, legal, and operational teams at BRAF to align staff activities with organizational policies and objectives.
Board & Committee Engagement (10%)
- Organize and manage investment and advisory committees, ensuring regular and productive meetings.
- Work within the governance framework to facilitate smooth and efficient operations.
Desired Skills & Qualifications
We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet all the qualifications.
- Proven experience in private investing, credit, and lending, with expertise in fund structuring and financial management.
- Background in social impact investing and/or clean energy financing (preferred).
- Familiarity with federal programs and regulatory frameworks.
- Strong leadership skills, with 10 years of outcomes-focused experience and at least 5 years in senior management roles.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and cross-functional teams effectively.
- Commitment to advancing equity and sustainability in energy transitions.
Salary : $125,000 - $145,000