Commercial Lending Program Director

NC Clean Energy Fund; United States; Remote; USD 96,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Clean Energy Fund seeks a Commercial Lending Program Director to lead the design of clean energy loan products. This role involves collaborating with community lenders and developing lending processes to boost clean energy financing.

Benefits

Healthcare benefits - Medical, Vision, Dental

Life & Disability Insurance

Simple IRA matching

Flexible paid time off & paid company holidays

Parental Leave

Qualifications

• 10 years' experience in lending, with 5–7 years in commercial lending.
• Minimum of 3 years management experience.
• Strong financial analysis skills required.

Responsibilities

• Design loan products to catalyze clean energy lending.
• Manage loan closing process and ensure compliance.
• Build relationships with borrowers and lender partners.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Flexibility

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Environmental Science, Sustainable Technology or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Loan management systems

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Word

Job description

Commercial Lending Program Director
March 2025

The North Carolina Clean Energy Fund (NCCEF) is seeking a Commercial Lending Program Director to join its growing team of mission-focused clean energy and financial professionals. NCCEF is a nonprofit financial institution with a mission to accelerate investment in clean and efficient energy solutions and increase climate resilience in North Carolina, particularly to promote climate and economic equity. We partner with public and private investors, foundations, and other non-profit and community organizations to deploy sustainable financing solutions that will create long-lasting environmental, economic, and social benefits and fill gaps in the financial market, especially for traditionally underserved communities.

Position Summary
The Commercial Lending Program Director will lead the design of clean energy loan products and credit enhancements to catalyze clean energy commercial lending in the Carolinas, including the development of commercial programs under Solar for All. This will consist of a standard offer for small deals and credit policies for more complex deals including tax credit bridge loans, and sectors including multifamily affordable housing, solar leasing providers, nonprofit community facilities, small commercial/industrial businesses, and congregations. The Program Director will develop collaborations with community lenders in North and South Carolina, and explore co-lending opportunities with private sector capital providers. Following the initial design and development phase, they will establish the organization's complete commercial lending process (i.e.. develop relationships with new clients, provide technical assistance to prospective borrowers, structure deals, guide deals through underwriting to loan closing). They will refine the business plan for commercial lending across multiple sectors, with the goal of generating volume that will support hiring loan officers.

They will report directly to the Co-Directors of NCCEF, as well as working extensively with other NCCEF Program leads.

Responsibilities
In collaboration with Co-Directors, design loan products and credit enhancement to catalyze clean energy commercial lending.

Under the NC Solar for All program, work with prospective borrowers to structure and underwrite loans to project developers in multifamily affordable housing and to rooftop solar lessors.
Establish and document standard commercial credit offerings to ensure that NCCEF program managers, prospective borrowers, and other stakeholders can easily identify the types of deals that these products can support.
Build strong relationships with partner lenders, including Community Development Finance Institutions, credit unions, and banks, to grow the ecosystem of clean energy commercial lending in the Carolinas.
Build strong relationships among prospective commercial borrowers, including solar developers, nonprofit building owners, small business, and government entities.
Evaluate and manage commercial loans by analyzing financial data of potential borrowers.
Ensure compliance with standard lending policies, negotiate terms for more complex deals.

Present complex deals to NCCEF Credit Committee.

Provide technical assistance to potential borrowers on financing aspects of their clean energy projects.

Manage loan closing process, including necessary documentation.

Monitor loan portfolios, track loan performance, and address any potential issues with borrowers experiencing financial difficulties.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with solar and energy efficiency in commercial buildings is strongly preferred.
• Team Player – Fosters teamwork and collaboration across multiple teams. Willingness to set aside one’s own priorities in order to help a team member.
• Leadership – Able to inspire, guide, and lead colleagues on projects and initiatives.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Business Tools and Technologies – Demonstrated proficiency with a wide range of business systems and technologies, including Microsoft platforms.
• Judgment – Exercises prudence and insight in decision-making process while mindful of other stakeholders and long-term ramifications
• Organization – Manages time, projects and activity effectively; Able to prioritize and re-prioritize based on business needs.
• Flexibility – Skilled at transitioning between big picture strategy and programmatic details, as well as adapting to the ever-changing clean energy landscape.
• Curiosity – Exhibits an inquisitive nature and the ability to question the status quo among a community of people they enjoy and teams that work well together.
• Humility – exhibits grace in success and failure while doing meaningful work where skills have impact and make a difference.
• Willingness – Hunger to constantly learn, share, and grow and to view the world as their classroom.
• Problem Solving – Able to quickly identify and solve issues related to clients’ needs.
  

Why Work with Us?
At NCCEF we care deeply about the work we do and the lasting impact it will have in North Carolina and beyond. We also recognize that the people doing this work are just as valuable. This is why NCCEF has created a culture that values our employees’ health and financial well-being and their lives in and outside of work. In addition to a remote, flexible workplace we also offer the following benefits:
- Healthcare benefits - Medical, Vision, Dental
- Life & Disability Insurance
- Simple IRA matching
- Flexible paid time off & paid company holidays
- Parental Leave

The salary range for this position is between $96,000 - $120,000.

How to Apply:
Send your resume and a letter of interest to: https://letscatapult.applicantpool.com/jobs/1206494-198447.html

NCCEF is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (Including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. NCCEF believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Qualifications
A minimum Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Environmental Science, Sustainable Technology or related field. A master's degree is strongly preferred.
10 years' experience in lending with a minimum of 5 – 7 years' experience in commercial lending
Minimum of 3 years management experience
Familiarity with loan management systems
Some underwriting experience is necessary.
Strong financial analysis skills
Compliance awareness and understanding of the local business landscape
Sales and business development
Intermediate-Advanced proficiency with Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word.
This position is remote based. The chosen candidate must reside in North Carolina or South Carolina.
Must be willing to travel up to 30% statewide.