About Elemental Excelerator

Elemental Excelerator is on a mission to redesign the systems at the root of climate change. We are a leading nonprofit investor focused on scaling climate solutions and social impact for all communities. Elemental fills two fundamental gaps to tackling climate change: funding first-of-a-kind projects for climate technologies in real communities, and embedding equity and access into climate solutions.

As a nonprofit with over a decade of experience in scaling technologies, we are uniquely positioned to provide much-needed support and services to overcome the valleys of death to scale the technologies we need to tackle the climate crisis. Elemental has been innovating on the traditional investment model for over a decade. We do more than simply write a check; we offer a full suite of hands-on services, support, coaching and introductions across the value stream to support growth and deployments. The organization has stood up a half-dozen programs to break down barriers to climate tech innovation through its robust portfolio, policy, equity & access, career pathways, investors/philanthropy and strategic partnerships.

About the role

Elemental is looking for a highly collaborative, organized and experienced individual to work with our Portfolio Team leading the recruitment, diligence and management of Elemental’s energy portfolio companies. For this position, we are looking for an individual who can help develop a set of investment themes, recruit companies, design projects, manage deliverables and reporting, provide thought-partnership on portfolio company strategy, and work with the other Directors of Innovation across sectors and organization functions.

This role will focus on Elemental’s companies across the renewable energy portfolio, and will report to the Director of Innovation that is focused on energy and mobility.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Portfolio Management

Directly support Elemental portfolio companies; problem-solve with entrepreneurs to help them achieve key inflection points, facilitate introductions where relevant
Co-design and manage projects that are transformational for portfolio companies as well as partners and communities
Lead and ensure follow up on calls with active and alumni companies
Collaborate with internal teams to address and resolve questions, requests, and challenges related to Elemental programs and events
Coordinate with the Elemental Portfolio and Finance teams on contracting documents and processing

Pipeline

Oversee identification, evaluation, and analysis of potential energy funding opportunities
Help craft Elemental’s investment strategy and criteria for renewable energy-related companies
Identify, evaluate, and analyze potential energy funding opportunities, including market research and risk assessments
Work with the Pipeline team to target and recruit top startups in the renewable energy sector
Lead energy due diligence and portfolio selection process, including through applicant correspondence, coordination, internal diligence documentation, and subsequent onboarding processes

Partnerships and Ecosystem Support

Collaborate with team tracking and synthesizing trends across the renewable energy sector to identify portfolio and pipeline opportunities
As needed, presenting pipeline and portfolio companies to our government, corporate and other funding partners.
Serve as thought leader on renewable energy and represent Elemental at industry events, and compile materials for speaking engagements and publications

Additional Responsibilities & Opportunities

Work with interns, fellows, and consultants throughout the year
Work closely with the Portfolio Ops and Communications teams to support pipeline, portfolio companies, announcements, and more
Collaborate with the partnerships (Navigator) team to develop additional funding opportunities between our applicants and corporate partners (e.g. Innovation Challenges, Deep Dives, introduction requests)
Support onboarding process for the final cohort of selected companies

About You

You could be a great addition to our team if you have deep commercial experience in the energy space. You know the renewable energy industry, and at some point have probably tried to figure out how to sell to a utility / engage a regulatory commission / know your IOU from your IRP from your DER(P)s. You have experience deploying technology in frontline communities with low-income customers. You are skilled in quickly task-switching, building and managing relationships, leading and helping others. You believe deeply in a just transition to a low-carbon world - and believe that transition has to happen with utmost speed. Finally, you know and are excited about technologies impacting the energy space - as broad as that is!

Qualifications (even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply!)

Desired skills:

Interest and experience in the renewable energy sector
Experience working with (or at) startups, venture capital, or accelerator programs
Strong interpersonal skills, proven ability to work optimally in a nimble, flexible and fast-paced environment
Understanding of how justice, equity and inclusion relate to climate work
Experience deploying technology in frontline communities with low-income customers
Attention to detail with outstanding organizational skills and a passion for teamwork that includes phenomenal follow-through and documentation
Creative and proactive in solving problems
Excellent verbal and written communications skills

Standout skills:

Significant knowledge in business administration, economics, environmental science or engineering
Experience providing financial assistance in low-income communities
Experience convening / leading events and conversations

Location

We will consider candidates located anywhere in the US. Elemental has a hybrid working model and if you are within a reasonable distance to one of our offices in New York, DC, Bay Area, or Honolulu, we are asking employees to come into the office at least one day a week to build community with the team. Currently, most people come in 1-2 times a week, but we encourage those who are interested to come in more often if they’d like. If you are not, you will be expected to travel infrequently to our HQs (e.g., ~quarterly). Other travel may sometimes be required for conferences or meetings.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time "at-will" position working at least 40 hours per week. You will be asked to travel for work periodically.

The salary range for this role is $97,400 - $163,500, which is based on market data and the organization's compensation philosophy. Individual salary offers will depend on and may vary with location, relevant education, knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer comprehensive employee benefits, including a professional development stipend and three weeks paid time off (more details here).

Other Details

We will accept and review applications on a rolling basis. Although all applications will be considered, we may be unable to respond to all inquiries. Please note that we do read cover letters, so we advise spending adequate time on them to share your relevant stories and experiences with us. We also ask that you refrain from using tools like Chat GPT and keep the cover letter to 1-2 pages long.

Elemental Excelerator is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and has a strong commitment to diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Candidates from the following groups are especially encouraged to apply: Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC); members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities; people who have disabilities; people from low-income backgrounds; people who identify as nonbinary; and women.

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