ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

National Housing Trust (NHT) has been dedicated to creating and preserving affordable housing for almost 40 years. Our mission is to create and preserve affordable homes to provide opportunity, advance racial equity, reduce economic disparities, and strengthen community resilience through our integrated policy-plus-practice approach. We build, preserve, and finance affordable housing and use that expertise to inform and advance resident-focused solutions to strengthen the broader affordable housing industry.

NHT has a staff of 60 across five program areas: Policy, Lending, Real Estate Development, Community Outreach and Impact, and Energy Solutions. Our hallmark is our cross-functional, integrated approach to innovating, demonstrating, and amplifying solutions to the affordable housing crisis in the U.S.

NHT has been at the forefront of advancing sustainable affordable housing for nearly 20 years through policy advocacy, lending, and real estate development. In 2014, NHT launched an Energy Solutions team to develop, operate, and manage solar systems for affordable housing properties nationwide. Funding and tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act, including the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), provide an unprecedented opportunity to scale up clean energy deployment in affordable housing. NHT is seeking an Energy Solutions Senior Director (ESSD) to lead and scale up our solar and renewable business at this exciting time.

POSITION

Under the direction of the Managing Director of Lending and Innovation and working closely with the CEO, CFO, and Sustainability Policy team, the ESSD will play a pivotal role in charting the direction of NHT's renewable energy work. They will lead the Energy Solutions team to grow NHT's impact in renewable energy, electrification and decarbonization. The EESD will:

• Guide the strategic direction of Energy Solutions' portfolio of work to maximize NHT's impact in advancing renewable energy in affordable housing.
• In partnership with other internal NHT teams, identify opportunities to expand NHT's Energy Solutions offerings through technical assistance, fee-for-service contracts, and public and private grant opportunities.
• Build NHT's core energy solutions business by collaborating with affordable housing owners across the field, including NHT's own Real Estate Development team, to develop and operate rooftop and community solar, benefitting residents and owners of affordable housing.

This position is DC-based and qualifies for a hybrid work schedule, working a minimum of two days per week at NHT’s corporate office.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Direction

• Develop and implement a business plan to expand NHT's Energy Solutions leadership.
• Clearly communicate NHT's desired impact to internal and external stakeholders, including potential business partners, clients, and funders.
• Collaborate with other internal NHT teams in developing the strategic direction.
• Assess expansion opportunities into new products, markets, and income sources.

Business Development

• Source new solar development projects and maintain a pipeline of potential new projects.
• Develop partnerships with GGRF grantees to identify and secure business opportunities.
• Clearly communicate Energy Solutions' service offerings by participating in industry forums and industry coalitions, etc. Secure fee-for-service, grants, and other funding sources to support Energy Solutions' offerings.

Development Oversight

The ESSD manages the Director of Solar Development and the Solar Asset Manager to ensure all aspects of the renewable development process are successfully executed, including overseeing the following:

• Comprehensive project management from development through construction completion for NHT’s solar projects to secure on-time delivery.
• Project feasibility analysis for NHT’s real estate development portfolio solar pipeline, including solar system sizing, design & site selection.
• In consultation with legal counsel, negotiating legal agreements with partners, contractors, and funders.
• Source financing for projects including debt, equity, and grants.
• Managing investor and lender expectations and ensure on-time delivery.
• Build and maintain financial models.
• Maintain organized project records and share with asset management and financing/accounting team.
• Track, report, and approve project expenses.
• Serve as the primary decision-maker for all project partners and vendors.
• Manage the subscription acquisition process for community solar projects.
• Negotiate business partnership terms for solar development projects.

Business Line Oversight

• Maintain accurate records projecting developer fees and cash flows.
• Manage business line outcomes and pipeline projects including key reporting metrics.
• Maintain accountability for team and individual goals.
• Clearly communicate Energy Solutions' impact to NHT's Board of Directors.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a committed and emerging leader with at least 8 years of experience. Candidates will ideally have experience in nonprofit affordable housing. Other qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Prior experience working in affordable housing, and/or renewable energy;
• Commitment to NHT’s mission, including a deep dedication to assisting families create and access opportunities to thrive;
• Previous experience developing business plans and setting strategic direction;
• Prior experience project managing multiple projects at once;
• Excellent problem-solving skills;
• Experience working with solar technology;
• Demonstrated background in the sustainability/environmental field;
• Detail-oriented, entrepreneurial self-starter who relishes multitasking;
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communications skills, including both verbal and written skills;
• Excellent planning and organization skills;
• Ability to integrate thoroughness and attention to details with a big picture, strategic vision;
• Resourcefulness, with the ability to deliver results in an entrepreneurial, dynamic environment;
• Experience working with or on behalf of diverse and low-income populations;
• Collaborative spirit and positive attitude;
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
• A collaborative approach and team orientation.

COMPENSATION

Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience. The minimum, median, and maximum salary range for this position is $115,670, $154,240, and $192,820, respectively. It is customary for candidates to join NHT at the Midpoint of the hiring salary range, which is considered market-competitive and leaves room for them to grow, expand, and develop in the role and range.

JOIN US

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NHT is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all our employment programs and decisions, including, but not limited to recruitment and hiring. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, matriculation, genetic information, covered veteran’s status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. BIPOC applicants, women, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.