Senior Vice President, Environmental, Climate, and Green Investment Programs

Background

Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) is the nation’s leading investment intermediary and network CDFIs serving rural, urban, and Native communities across the United States. With over $1 billion in total assets under management, OFN manages a national membership network of over 410 mission-driven lenders and CDFIs, including community development loan funds, credit unions, green banks, community development banks, minority depository institutions, and venture capital funds. OFN is a trusted investment partner to the public, private, and philanthropic sectors – foundations, corporations, banks, government agencies, and others. For more than 30 years, our team has helped partners invest in communities to catalyze change and create economic opportunities for people and places traditional finance doesn’t reach.

To learn more, visit ofn.org

People who work at OFN come from a variety of professional and academic backgrounds. If you have:

• Passion for the mission and true believer in our core purpose.
• Courage to be a fearless advocate who is confident and resilient in our fight to drive capital into low-income communities.
• Smart, quick seekers of knowledge who thrive on creating and developing new strategies, products, and programs for increasing capital to communities we serve.
• Desire to be a collaborative team player who possesses humility and a willingness to lean in all areas of our work.

Come be a part of our growing diverse, highly committed, skilled, and collaborative staff. At OFN, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply nonetheless. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Summary

OFN seeks an entrepreneurial and enthusiastic Senior Vice President to develop, implement, and oversee OFN’s Climate and Environmental program. This role also manages day-to-day collaboration for OFN’s climate strategy, and provides technical expertise related to greenhouse gas reduction. The Climate and Environmental program is central to implementation of OFN’s Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) award and other initiatives related to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF).

The SVP acts as the top environmental ambassador advocating for climate and environmental initiatives that benefit low-wealth communities and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). The SVP is responsible for developing and preserving vital connections with partner organizations to accomplish common goals.

The environmental and climate programs include but are not limited to the GHGRF and will also focus on other environmental and climate initiatives that benefit low-wealth communities and CDFIs. The SVP serves as a thought partner for future strategies and supports initiatives for OFN’s green financing and investment opportunities. The position reports directly to the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer.

This position is based in Washington, D.C. All staff currently work a hybrid schedule.

Responsibilities

• Leads the planning, development, and implementation of initiatives that further OFN’s agenda on green financing, including all current and future GGRF initiatives and other climate initiatives as directed by OFN management.
• Manages the implementation of OFN’s CCIA award, including overseeing existing project management structures, maintaining appropriate grant documentation, collaborating across departments, and liaising with EPA through meetings and reporting.
• Oversees the implementation of specific climate-related initiatives within the CCIA program, such as OFN’s market-building services, LIDAC engagement, and project-level technical assistance.
• Engages with OFN’s Sustainability Committee and Climate Industry Advisory as directed in their charters to ensure OFN follows appropriate procedures and receives external input relevant to the implementation of its climate strategy and programs.
• Serves as a technical expert on greenhouse gas emissions reduction and collaborates on the development of training materials for CDFIs, green lending, and grant products, reporting requirements, and fundraising development.
• Collaborates with OFN members and serves as a pivotal liaison and communicator with OFN teams, including Investment Services, Network Services, Strategic Communications, and Public Policy, to provide climate, energy, and environmental subject matter expertise and program implementation support.
• Supports content creation for climate and environmental content on the website, social media accounts, action alerts, supporter communications, and other communications aimed toward the general public.
• Collects information and analyzes data on CDFI member green financing, greenhouse gas emissions, and other relevant data to support OFN’s green financing strategy.
• Supports organizational development efforts related to its climate program
• Manages climate and environmental-related coalition-building strategies and maintains key relationships with partner organizations.
• Maintains a keen awareness of issues related to climate, environmental, and energy in our strategic priority areas and serves as a key spokesperson for OFN on green financing agenda and strategy at meetings, and conferences.
• Manages two team members and supports continued departmental growth; manages and oversees contractors as needed.
• Assist with other activities of the Development Services team as requested.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, public policy, public administration, natural resource management, environmental or urban planning, or related fields or 5-7 work experience in lieu of a degree.
• 7+ years of professional experience is required in a related field of work.
• Proven track record in the strategic development of programs, change management, and project management.
• Experience working within a community-based nonprofit organization or CDFI and knowledge of and commitment to community development is preferred.
• Strong preference for experience with greenhouse gas reduction projects and technologies, including specifically net-zero buildings (priority), distributed generation and storage, and zero-emissions transportation. Experience financing clean projects is a plus.
• An understanding of environmental science concepts related to carbon accounting and air quality.
• Experience with ESG reporting frameworks and standards is preferred.
• Demonstrated passion for and commitment to environmental justice and social change.
• Experience working within a community-based nonprofit organization or CDFI and knowledge of and commitment to community development is beneficial.
• A strong knowledge of finance, investment principles, data, financial analysis, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Excellent organizational/time management skills required to independently manage multiple tasks and prioritize work on diverse assignments with strong attention to detail in a fast-paced setting in an effective and efficient manner.
• Ability to work well with diverse constituents is required.
• Ability to interface with employees at all levels of the organization, both internally and externally.
• Occasional travel required (5% of time).
• Comfortable working in entrepreneurial environment.
• Job involves normal physical requirements for an office position.

How to Apply

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume here

EEO Employer – Disability/Veteran/Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Supervisor: Chief Strategy Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt