Impact Finance

The Business Impact Group (“BIG”) was formed to assist Impact Finance Group address the U.S. Bank’s commitment to close the racial wealth gap through its signature Access Commitment Initiative.  The intended goal is to increase the volume of lending and tax credit equity investing with BIPOC-led entities by raising the profile of the U.S. Bank in communities of color, establishing partnerships, products and programs to support BIPOC-led entities. BIG partners with Impact Finance product areas to identify market gaps that can be addressed to increase to increase the capacity of BIPOC-led and owned entities which will lead to new business development opportunities in the medium and long term.

Reporting to the Head of Access to Capital, the Environmental Finance Access to Capital Director (“ACD”) will be responsible for enabling the execution of Impact Finance’s strategic priorities related to increasing access to capital (debt and tax credit equity) to independent power producers (IPPs) or developers (asset owners) of color. The ACD will be knowledgeable of workforce development and university-level curriculum development.  The ACD should be knowledgeable of stakeholders in the renewable energy ecosystem, emerging industry developments and challenges to meeting the needs of BIPOC-owned clients.  The ACD will draw on their extensive knowledge -building programs and other initiatives in collaboration with senior management, Environmental Finance, Syndications and Enabling Functions.  We are looking for candidates with a commitment to the work we do and can demonstrate their creativity, diligence, enthusiasm, growth-mindset, thoughtfulness, and passion to make meaningful change in the areas of economic and racial justice.

Job Function and Key responsibilities

• Line of Business Engagement (20%): Coordinate with EF on the needs of EF’s BIPOC-led clients in order to better understand the types of capital that these customers require from third-party investors and lenders, as well as technical assistance and capacity-building needed to address  obstacles to the scaling of BIPOC-led developer-IPPs in the clean energy industry. Additionally, EACM will coordinate the sponsorship and partnership strategy of BIG’s budget to effectively meet EAC goals as well as provide DEI content and support for conferences and market activations.
• Identification of Sources of Capital (20%): Collaborating with Syndications and Environmental Finance teams, EACM will research and compile a database on the ecosystem of investors and lenders who are investing working capital, early-stage capital, tax equity, and loans in BIPOC-led customers. These sources may include CDFIs, MDIs, credit unions, private equity funds, venture capital funds, or philanthropic dollars. EACM will coordinate with EF to identify prospective and current customers who might benefit from introductions to these mission-aligned investors/lenders.
• Program Development (40%): Research, design, implement and manage programs to address identified market gaps based on the collaboration with Environmental Finance Impact Capital Manager such as educational programs at higher learning institutions serving marginalized communities(i.e. HBCUs) and climate finance workforce development programs. Identify industry partnerships that provide access to capital and capacity building of developers of color such as the identification of additional sources of capital (CDFIs, MDIs, PE and foundations) to support emerging developers of color. Identify conference and other market activation sponsorship opportunities that provide for brand recognition, market intelligence and access to developers of color.
• Reporting and Measurement (20%): Provide environmental finance EAC metrics needed to reflect performance towards Impact Finance financial goals as well as enterprise initiatives such as Access Commitment, Community Benefits Plan and CRA. Will coordinate with Impact Measurement and Finance teams to generate reports submitted to senior management and to enterprise enabling functions. Role will involve attending and reporting out results at working group or other touchpoints on a regular basis. Will collaborate with Impact Capital Manager and Impact Measurement team to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of these programs.

Performance Measures:

• Programs and partners engaged to address identified market gaps and business needs based on
  • Total $ received by BIPOC-led EF customers or prospects from CDFIs, PE funds, or other sources following EF ACD’s recommendation to EF for an introduction
  • # of BIPOC-led/owned clients receiving needed capacity-building assistance;
  • # of BIPOC-led/owned clients in pipeline
  • # of BIPOC-led/owned clients becoming bank customers for bank products such as depository and lending products

Basic Qualifications
– Master’s degree, or equivalent work experience
– 10 or more years of experience in project management activities
– Two or more years of managerial experience

– 5-7 years of experience underwriting renewable energy projects
– Strong knowledge of complex renewable energy financing structures, including RETC and project finance, and familiarity with Federal and local financing sources.
– Commitment to community development and racial equity as identified in prior work and experience
– Strong communication skills demonstrating attention to detail and professional writing style
– Strong organizational skills including ability to follow through independently
– Capacity to prioritize multiple tasks to meet deadlines