Bay Area Regional Director, GRID Alternatives – California

Organization: GRID Alternatives

Position Title: Bay Area Regional Director

Location: Oakland, California

Hours and Compensation: Full-time; Commensurate with experience + medical, dental, optional 403b retirement plan, and generous paid time off.

 Application Deadline: Open until filled

Description: GRID Alternatives is an entrepreneurial, high-growth non-profit organization that provides renewable energy and energy efficiency services to help low-income families and protect our environment.  Through our flagship Solar Affordable Housing Program, we train and lead teams of volunteers and job trainees to install solar electric systems for low-income homeowners. GRID Alternatives has ten regional offices serving California, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.  We also operate a Tribal Solar Program and a small international program in Nicaragua.

While each regional office/affiliate has its own budget, staff, construction capacity, and local fundraising, GRID Alternatives centralizes HR, accounting, solar equipment procurement, training, and multi-regional fundraising from our Headquarters office in Oakland.

Responsibilities: The Bay Area Regional Director will report to GRID Alternatives’ CEO.  The Bay Area office is co-located with GRID Alternatives Headquarters in Oakland, CA and as part of the Bay Area operations, the region includes a small satellite office serving located in Willits that serves the North Coast.  Given both its proximity to GRID HQ and its location in the “heart” of the solar industry, in many ways the Bay Area operations is a showcase of GRID Alternatives work.  The Bay Area is where GRID Alternatives began 10 years ago and as such GRID has built a strong reputation in the region.   Additionally, the Bay Area is the region where GRID has installed the largest volume of systems that require long-term warrantee service.  Because GRID is both a non-profit and a solar contractor, this position requires a unique combination of skills:  someone who is a strong non-profit executive leader and someone who can run a construction company.

• Oversee and ensure fulfillment of GRID Alternatives’ mission and success of our programs.  GRID is the statewide administrator of a higher solar rebate for low-income families living in affordable housing.  The Bay Area Regional Director will be required to fulfill aggressive installation goals in connection with our role as the Program Manager for this key rebate program.
• Hire, manage, support and evaluate staff.  Direct reports include a management team of a Project Manager, Outreach Manager, Volunteer and Training Coordinator, and a Development Manager.  Full team includes 14 other outreach, development, and construction staff.
• Provide fiscal oversight and ensure a strong financial position. Includes working directly with HQ-based CFO and financial/accounting staff to prepare regional budget, manage expenses to that budget, ensure reliable funding streams, and maximize efficiency.
• Develop and strengthen partnerships and joint programs with affordable housing developers, job training programs, energy efficiency providers, local government departments, and other local organizations.
• Build local advisory council.  The opportunity exists to eventually create a Bay Area affiliate of GRID Alternatives governed by a regional board of directors.
• Work collaboratively with Bay Area Regional team and HQ leadership to lead Bay Area regional strategic planning and visioning.
• Lead fundraising efforts in collaboration with regional Development staff and HQ development staff.  Current regional funding sources include private foundations, corporate sponsors, local governments, and individual donors.
• Continue to build GRID Alternatives reputation throughout the Bay Area and North Coast (this may include media events, networking and speaking presentations)
• Work directly with GRID Alternatives Headquarters and other regional offices to ensure operations are consistent with GRID Alternatives policies, best practices, culture and long-term vision.

Qualifications:

Required skills and experience

• Passion for sustainability, affordable housing, workforce development, the environment, and/or environmental justice.
• Successful program management experience. Demonstrated track record of meeting goals on time and consistently.
• Staff management experience. Strong leadership and management skills.
• Experience with budget oversight. Track record of meeting budget goals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and effective public speaking skills.
• Fundraising experience (with private foundations, corporate sponsors, local governments, and/or individual donors) or equivalent experience in a parallel field from the for-profit sector such as sales.
• Highly motivated and organized. Ability to problem solve and learn new skills.
• Comfortable working with and communicating with diverse populations.
• Able to both work independently, as well as work collaboratively with GRID Alternatives’ staff.
• Proficient computer skills (specifically Microsoft Office and Salesforce.com).

Recommended skills and experience

• Previous non-profit management experience
• Connections to affordable housing, philanthropic, and/or low-income advocacy communities
• Knowledge of solar energy
• Strong ties and networks in Bay Area.
• Spanish and/or Mandarin language skills

How to Apply: Applicants must submit both a resume and cover letter online at www.gridalternatives.org/jobs. Mailed and emailed applications are not accepted.