Solar & Energy Efficiency Business Development Specialist

Background

Bridgeway Capital is a social impact investor that focuses on equitable economic growth in underserved areas by providing impact-driven loans and business education programs to grow businesses and revitalize places. As a nonprofit alternative to banks, Bridgeway lends to small businesses, nonprofits, and real estate projects that have a positive community impact. More than a lender, Bridgeway is a partner for business growth that prepares entrepreneurs to be capital ready and builds their capacity through business assistance programs. Bridgeway is a nonprofit and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified by the U.S. Treasury Department.

Bridgeway serves western Pennsylvania and limited areas of eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia from its headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh and satellite offices in Erie, PA, Uniontown, PA, and Warren, OH. For more information, visit www.bridgewaycapital.org

Summary

Job Summary
The Solar and Energy Efficiency Business Development Specialist (Specialist) is a new position at Bridgeway Capital. The person in this role will support Bridgeway’s participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Community Investment Accelerator (CCIA) funding programs. The Specialist will support Bridgeway’s lending team to develop a pipeline of eligible projects in qualified low-income or climate justice census tracts that are prepared to benefit from affordable financing for renewable energy & storage, energy efficiency upgrades, and/or zero-emissions transportation. Toward this end, the Specialist will develop strategic partnerships, networks of industry stakeholders, relationships with potential financing partners, develop loan products aligned with CCIA program goals, and connect clients to support services. The Specialist will report to the Chief Strategy & Development Officer.

Personal Profile
The Solar and Energy Efficiency Business Development Specialist (Specialist) must be experienced in the Solar and Energy Efficiency real estate sectors and motivated by the opportunity to advance opportunities that support low-income and disadvantaged communities to benefit from clean energy technologies. The person will be expected to work collaboratively with Bridgeway’s Lending, Underwriting, Communications, Programs, and Development teams to meet CCIA program requirements. At the same time, the person will need to work independently in the field, meeting with a broad range of partners, industry specialists, and clients. This position includes required travel, potentially including overnight travel, around Bridgeway’s western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio service areas.

Responsibilities

Prospecting and Pipeline Development

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with a network of solar developers, energy efficiency contractors, affordable housing developers, and nonprofit partners committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Engage this network to access referrals and source potential loans.
• Attend relevant community events, networking functions, and industry conferences to connect with potential referral sources and/or borrowers.
• Continuously develop a pipeline of eligible projects prepared to use financing to acquire renewable energy, energy efficiency upgrades, and/or zero-emissions transportation.
• Conduct initial assessments of potential borrowers to determine their eligibility and readiness for financing.
• Assist potential borrowers with the loan application process, providing guidance and support to ensure complete and accurate loan application submissions.
• Track and manage leads through a CRM system (or similar tool) to ensure pipeline loans move through the review and approval processes.
• Make decisive loan recommendations and clearly articulate and make a compelling case for a loan decision to appropriate internal approval authorities.

Program Management

• Collaborate with the Chief Impact Investment Officer, the Chief Strategy & Development Officer, and the Chief Programs Officer to coordinate, leverage, and align Bridgeway resources, including loan products, around program goals.
• Collaborate with the Director of Communications to develop a marketing strategy, outreach materials, and related efforts to promote the activities, outcomes, and successes of Bridgeway’s Solar and Energy Efficiency lending.
• Incorporate Bridgeway’s core values effectively into internal processes and external engagements and relationships.
• Maintain records of outreach activities, partnership MOUs, and referral sources.
• Analyze data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement in the prospecting process.
• Continuously seek ways to improve prospecting and pipeline development processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and regulatory changes that impact CDFI operations and CCIA lending practices.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of the solar and energy efficiency sectors.
• Competent knowledge of tax credits and other incentive programs that reduce the cost of acquiring renewable energy or making energy efficiency upgrades to commercial real estate, multifamily housing, and affordable housing.  E.g., USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants, Elective/Direct Pay reimbursements made available through the Inflation Reduction Act, Tax Credits, Purchase Power Agreements, Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) etc.
• Familiarity with banking, finance and ability to evaluate businesses’ financials.
• Superior communication and customer service skills and an ability to adapt to a wide variety of audiences, including clients, supervisors, peers, and external partners.
• Self-starter motivated by achieving production goals.
• Willingness to travel throughout a +20-county region, including occasional evening work engagements as required.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive salary will be determined by level of experience. Comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, and paid time off, including paid parental leave.

Bridgeway Capital currently uses a hybrid work model. Bridgeway requires that all staff be in the office two days a week, although managers may request that their team be in the office more frequently as required to complete work efficiently. The number of days in the office is subject to change.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following application materials to Dawn Seckler, Chief Strategy & Development Officer at [email protected]. Please put “Solar and Energy Specialist” in the email subject line.

• Resume
• Cover letter that explains why the candidate is interested in working at Bridgeway Capital and outlines how the candidate’s skills and experience meet the qualifications for this
• Two or three professional (Candidates will be alerted before references are contacted.)