President and Chief Executive Officer

Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC); United States; Remote; USD 225,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) seeks a President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead a mission-driven nonprofit focused on advancing clean energy. The role requires visionary leadership, ethical management, and fiscal stewardship while guiding a remote team.

The CEO will act as spokesperson to government entities and industry partners, work closely with the Board, and drive strategic plans to meet objectives.

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of experience as an executive leader/senior management of an organization or nonprofit.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct IREC’s mission and vision and implement strategic plans.
• Serve as primary face and spokesperson for IREC to stakeholders.
• Oversee annual budget and a team of ~30 employees with four direct reports.
• Collaborate with Board of Directors and senior management to set priorities.
• Act as ex officio, non-voting Board member and ensure fiscal integrity and ethical leadership.
• Travel 20-30% as required to advance the organization’s objectives.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Staff leadership

Remote team oversight

Stakeholder collaboration

Board collaboration

Travel management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) seeks a President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead and direct the organization, ensuring a positive, team-based, goal-oriented culture. The President/CEO is the primary face of the organization and is responsible for the overall successful operation and fiscal integrity of IREC through demonstrated ethical leadership and management.

Reporting to and working closely with the Board of Directors, the President/CEO oversees an annual budget of approximately $6M and leads a team of ~30 employees, including four direct reports. The President/CEO works with senior management to set priorities and has the responsibility to lead IREC’s mission and vision, create and implement strategic plans, and identify and execute actions to meet objectives. The President/CEO shall act as the spokesperson for IREC to other clean energy organizations, government entities, businesses, and the public. They will also serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

Ideal Candidate

The President/CEO will be an innovative, pragmatic, and compassionate leader who brings vast experience in the renewable energy sector. The ideal candidate will be passionate about making real change to advance a clean energy future, removing barriers to clean energy and distributed energy resource adoption, and unafraid of stepping in to lead a highly respected nonprofit organization.

Preference will be given to visionary leaders with deep clean energy experience, particularly in distributed energy resources, energy efficiency, and emerging technologies, and a track record of anticipating where the sector is headed. The successful candidate will combine a rich array of experiences in both technical aspects of renewable energy policy and workforce and community development expertise.

Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Seven or more years of experience as an executive leader/senior management of an organization or nonprofit.
• Leadership experience within the clean energy sector, including a focus on distributed energy resources.
• Deep understanding of the actions that state and local governments, communities, employers, and advocacy organizations can take to overcome barriers to clean energy adoption and investment.
• Demonstrated speaking and presentation abilities and exceptional skill in professional and interpersonal communications.
• Strong motivational and staff leadership abilities with a high level of sensitivity, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
• Oversee a fully remote team, setting clear priorities and keeping staff engaged and aligned.
• Success and comfort working collaboratively with Boards of Directors, staff, and partner organizations.
• Strong professional reputation and record of integrity, sound judgment, sense of accountability, and respect for established ethical standards.
• Effective and proactive communicator, facilitator, problem solver, and decision maker.
• Expected travel: 20-30%.

See position details for a comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities and qualifications for the CEO role.

Location: Remote

Compensation: The salary range for the role is $225,000-$250,000 per year

Anticipated Start Date: January 4, 2027

DRiWaterstone Human Capital is proud to lead this search on behalf of IREC.