WHO We Are:
Self-Help started in 1980 with a focus on economic inequality, especially in communities that have faced systemic barriers to building wealth. At the core of what Self-Help does is a drive to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity. In other words, we’re committed to economic justice! Economic Justice means that all communities have the basic infrastructure they need to thrive, from high-quality schools to grocery stores selling fresh foods, with resources that support opportunity at a neighborhood level regardless of demographics, income, or wealth. Since our founding, we’ve constantly sought to find new ways to pursue greater economic justice: from providing fair and affordable loans to working with partners to demand that lawmakers change unjust policies.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
Self-Help has teamed up with two other national non-profits--Calvert Impact and The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC)—to create Climate United, a collaboration focused on expanding the benefits of the clean energy transition. As partners, we are complementary in our expertise and like-mindedness about the imperative to make sure that all Americans, particularly those bearing the greatest burden from the climate crisis, participate in and benefit from the movement to reduce carbon emissions. The aim of Climate United is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and create quality jobs while fostering energy security and savings. As part of Climate United, Self-Help's Climate Capital team will facilitate a clean energy financing network to deliver clean energy products, technologies, and services to low-wealth and underserved communities—communities that have been disproportionately harmed by climate change and pollution.
The Climate Capital Sector Leader, Building Decarbonization will manage initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from residential and commercial buildings. This position requires developing and implementing financing programs for energy efficiency upgrades, weatherization programs, green mortgages, electrification projects, and renewable energy installations. The leader will work closely with partners to ensure that these projects are accessible to low-wealth communities, fostering environmental justice while promoting economic benefits like lower energy costs and job creation. The program is expected to decarbonize tens of thousands of homes and buildings, leading to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency across the nation.
WHAT You'll Do:
- Monitor the industry, regulatory, and tax changes to identify impacts that may affect lending programs and translate regulations and guidelines internally.
- Shape Self-Help’s National Clean Investment Fund products, accounting for market demand, market feedback, and Self-Help’s risk parameters.
- Lead and coordinate internal processes to develop a robust pipeline and effectively deliver loan products in keeping with the terms of Self-Help’s National Clean Investment Fund commitments.
- Engage in industry groups, conferences, and events, forming trusted relationships with peer institutions, investors, and other industry actors.
- Contribute to policy discussions and program advocacy.
- Act as a change agent to drive Self-Help’s economic inclusion initiatives by integrating supplier diversity and the use of businesses owned by women and people of color in third-party contracting and vendor management for relevant products and services.
- Perform other duties as may be deemed necessary.
WHAT You'll Need:
- A bachelor's degree, or equivalent, plus 7 years of experience related to clean energy, climate finance, product development, project management, or urban planning. Master's degree in a related field preferred.
- Subject matter expertise related to Building Decarbonization and broader energy efficiency and generation sectors in the residential and commercial markets.
- Demonstrated experience in multiple parts of a full product lifecycle: research, market analysis; compliance review; testing; marketing; deployment; iterating.
- Prior professional experience working in clean energy/climate lending and/or investing preferred, with existing relationships within the climate finance sector.
- Strong commitment to our mission – creating economic opportunity for traditionally underserved communities. Sensitivity to issues of low-wealth borrowers and a desire to work in a racially- and socially-diverse organization.
- Excellent leadership skills with a proven ability to lead through influence and relationships. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, partners, and vendors across multiple locations throughout the US.
- Proficiency in balancing multiple priorities, meeting tight timelines, and working effectively.
- Ability to build effective business development networks that lead to loans.
- Strong quantitative skills include the ability to spread and analyze financial statements, projections, and cash flows, as well as evaluate information. The ability to do a quick risk assessment on key financial and other factors to determine if a loan or program might be viable for Self-Help.
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint is a plus.
- Ability and willingness to travel 10-20%.
COMPENSATION AND WORK ARRANGEMENTS
These roles have hybrid working arrangements (virtual and in-office) and will ideally be based out of any of the following Self-Help geographies, though candidates in other locations may be considered:
- Durham, NC (Self-Help Headquarters): $96,100 – $112,556
- Chicago, IL: $103,400 – $126,209
- Oakland, CA: $122,900 – $150,279
- Charlotte, NC: $92,400 - $112,556
- Los Angeles, CA: $107,200 - $150,279
Compensation ranges for each position are based on local market rates and are determined by geography, role, and experience. The higher end of these ranges represents the current organizational salary cap for each location, which increases annually based on cost of living and organizational performance.
Health
- Medical, dental & vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents, with 80% to 100% of premiums paid by Self-Help depending on coverage levels selected
- Employee Assistance Program access
Paid Time Off
- Vacation accrued at 15 days/year; sick time accrued at 12 days/year
- 11 paid holidays
- Paid parental leave of 12-16 weeks, prorated for staff with less than 1 year of service
Financial Wellbeing
- 401k match - 3% company contribution, plus an additional $1 for $1 on first 6% that employee contributes
- Self-Help paid life insurance of $50,000, plus long-term disability and accidental death & dismemberment coverage
- Tuition reimbursement
- As a 501(c)(3) organization, employment with Self-Help may provide an opportunity for student loan forgiveness. Candidates should review the provisions of their student loans to determine if this is applicable.
Intangibles
- A highly collaborative work environment that cares deeply about celebrating its people. The Self-Help team is nearly 1,000 strong. Nearly 40% of staff have been at the organization for 6 years or more, and people of color make up more than half of the workforce.
Interview Process
Self-Help is partnering with Unbrand Consulting to steward hiring for many of our climate justice roles. Our shared aim is that the hiring process is both robust and efficient, ensuring that there is time for mutual discovery along the way. For the Sector Leader roles, candidates can expect a phone screen and two panel interviews. Finalists may be invited to visit our headquarters in Durham, NC, depending on their location. Once the interview process begins, we anticipate it will take roughly 8 weeks until an offer is made and communicated. Questions about the role or interview process can be directed to unbrandconsulting@gmail.com.
Self-Help is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender status), age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, class or family status.
