Director of Conservation Finance

Blue Forest; Sacramento (CA); Remote; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Conservation Finance to lead innovative financial transactions aimed at ecological restoration. This pivotal role involves collaborating with diverse teams to structure impactful investments, manage conservation finance portfolios, and drive strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in finance and investment management, coupled with a passion for sustainability and environmental impact. Join a dedicated team committed to accelerating ecological restoration and making a meaningful difference in climate resilience. This position offers the opportunity to work remotely while contributing to transformative projects that benefit ecosystems and communities alike.

Benefits

100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage

401k retirement plan with 5% employer match

4 weeks paid vacation

17 paid holidays

Paid family leave

Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance

Public Lands Exploration stipend

Monthly home office stipend

Financial support for professional development

Dependent care costs subsidized for business travel

Qualifications

• 7+ years in finance, investment management, or conservation finance.
• Strong background in financial modeling and negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Lead conservation finance transactions and manage investments.
• Oversee portfolio operations and ensure compliance.

Skills

Financial Modeling

Valuation and Credit Analysis

Investment Structuring

Negotiation Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Strategic Thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Finance or related field

Master's Degree in Finance or related field

Tools

Excel

Financial Analysis Software

Job description

Location: Remote

Reports to: CFO

Salary: $130-160k, depending on experience

Travel: Intermittent, up to 20% time

Preferred Start Date: June 2nd, 2025

About Blue Forest

Blue Forest is a conservation finance non-profit founded in 2015 that is focused on advancing ecosystem restoration through scientific research, financial innovation, and collaborative partnerships. Since 2018, Blue Forest has managed investor capital through its flagship financial product, the Forest Resilience Bond (FRB), which deploys private capital to finance forest restoration projects to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. More recently, Blue Forest has also established Blue Forest Asset Management (BFAM), an investment management platform connecting investors to compelling, mission-aligned opportunities in a broader set of asset classes beyond FRB projects, such as private equity and private credit investments.

Blue Forest is made up of an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, foresters, finance, and communications professionals committed to the mission: “To accelerate ecological restoration through conservation finance, enabling climate resilience for ecosystems and communities”. Employees at Blue Forest are:

• Committed to Continuous Learning
• Driven by Collaboration
• Thoughtful Innovators for Impact
• Grounded in Science
• Passionate about Restoring Earth’s Ecosystems

Position Summary
The Director of Conservation Finance is a key member of Blue Forest’s team, responsible for spearheading conservation finance transactions, managing investments, and overseeing portfolio operations. This role requires a blend of financial expertise, strategic planning, people management, and cross-functional collaboration to support Blue Forest’s mission-driven investments, including Forest Resilience Bonds (FRBs) and other innovative conservation finance mechanisms.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in finance, investment management, and transaction execution, with a passion for environmental impact and sustainability. They will work closely with senior leadership, legal counsel, investors, and internal teams to structure and execute finance transactions, ensure sound portfolio management, and develop conservation investment strategies.

Responsibilities & Duties

Conservation Finance Transactions (40%)

• Lead the Finance team in the execution of conservation finance transactions (such as Forest Resilience Bonds, or FRBs):
  • Coordinate with Blue Forest Project Development and Science & Research teams to set, manage, and execute against transaction timelines
  • Build and maintain Excel models and analytical tools
  • Build collaborative relationships with, and conduct financial and legal due diligence on, transaction counterparties and key personnel
  • Liaise with legal counsel on key agreements
  • Complete investment memos and other internal approvals
  • Coordinate with Portfolio Managers to incorporate transaction information into fund models, plans, and analysis
• Lead design, development, and closing of conservation finance funds, investment vehicles, and strategies:
  • Guide Finance team assessment of conservation finance needs and opportunities through desktop research, internal and external networking, and stakeholder engagement
  • Coordinate business development and partnership efforts with CEO, CFO, Chief Conservation Officer, and other senior management members
  • Support CFO and counsel to develop, negotiate, and close legal agreements with investors
  • Collaborate with CEO, External Affairs team, and Portfolio Managers to market conservation finance products to investors

Ongoing Investment Management (25%)

• Manage, and oversee the management of, existing conservation finance investments:
  • Monitor financial performance; maintain financial models
  • Oversee flow of funds and information between Blue Forest and counterparties, including loan principal and interest payments; interface with Accounting team as needed
  • Maintain key counterparty relationships
  • Participate in ongoing dialogue with Blue Forest Project Development team and other stakeholders regarding investment strategy, risks, and future opportunities

Portfolio Management (25%)

• Serve as, and oversee others serving as, Portfolio Manager for Blue Forest funds or commingled investment vehicles:
  • Monitor financial performance, fund deployment, and adherence to fund governance processes; maintain financial models
  • Prepare investor reports and calls, help plan investor site visits, and undertake other investor relations tasks
  • Oversee compliance with investor reporting, payment, and legal obligations

Other (10%)

• Continuously improve and progressively assume ownership of Blue Forest finance practices, processes, systems, and documentation
• Support Blue Forest Communications, Fundraising, and other teams in developing written content about conservation finance
• Contribute to ad hoc and structured internal trainings on financial topics

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in finance, investment management, private markets investing, structured finance, impact investing, or conservation finance, including some or all of the following:
  • Strong background in financial modeling, valuation and credit analysis, and investment structuring
  • Prior experience negotiating investment agreements and conducting financial due diligence
  • Experience with fundraising, investor relations, and capital markets
  • Familiarity with portfolio management principles and fund governance

• Experience managing people/teams and strategically hiring, developing, and retaining talent
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with portfolio management teams, investors, legal counsel, project partners, and internal teams
• Excellent presentation, negotiation, and written and verbal communication skills

• Detail orientation and analytical strength, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Strategic thinking with a results-driven mindset and a passion for climate resilience and sustainability

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; subsidized coverage for dependents
• Access to a 401k retirement plan with a 5% employer match
• 4 weeks paid vacation and 17 paid holidays; paid sick time and volunteer time
• 3 months of paid family leave
• Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Access to Dependent Care FSA and Health FSA
• Public Lands Exploration stipend (reimbursements for visits to National Forests, county parks, etc.)
• Monthly home office stipend or co-working space provided
• Dependent care costs subsidized for business travel
• Additional stipends for health & wellness; home internet and cell service
• Financial support for professional development

Additional Information

Blue Forest is a fully remote company with staff located across all four continental U.S. time zones. You will generally be expected to be online during Pacific Standard Time standard working hours in order to collaborate with partners and other team members. Blue Forest also hosts an in-person team retreat each year.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to this position, please submit a resume and cover letter for your application through recruitee. People from historically underrepresented populations and candidates with non-traditional career paths are especially encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

If participating in the interview process would require you to incur additional expenses to participate, such as childcare, please let us know and we are happy to reimburse for reasonable expenses incurred up to $30/hour for twice the length of each interview in which you participate. There will be space to request this reimbursement upon offer of an interview.