Project Finance Director

Clean Energy Fund of Texas, Inc; Houston (TX); Remote; USD 130,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering non-profit green bank as a Project Finance Director, where you'll play a vital role in advancing clean energy accessibility. This position focuses on underwriting innovative loans for community solar projects, particularly benefiting underserved communities. You'll leverage your expertise in clean energy finance and project management to create tailored financial solutions, promote sustainable practices, and build partnerships that drive economic development. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact in the clean energy sector, this is the opportunity for you!

Benefits

100% health care coverage

Work-from-home reimbursements

401K employer match

14 paid holidays

3 weeks of vacation

5 sick days

Paid parental leave

Paid caregiver leave

Qualifications

• 5+ years in clean energy finance with loan origination experience.
• Strong understanding of credit risk assessment methodologies.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and structure loans for clean energy projects up to $100M.
• Support program capacity by leading technical assistance resources.
• Develop strategic plans for project financing and compliance.

Skills

Clean Energy Finance

Project Management

Financial Modeling

Credit Risk Assessment

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Education

BS in Finance

BS in Accounting

BS in Urban Planning

BS in Economics

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Monday.com

Job description

Description: Join our team as Project Finance Director and help advance our mission of making clean energy accessible for all!

Reporting to our Chief Credit Officer (CCO), you'll underwrite and structure innovative commercial and industrial (C&I) loans, focusing primarily on community solar projects funded by the Solar for All (SFA) muti-state initiative. In the role, you'll create tailored financial solutions for higher education institutions, especially Minority Serving Educational Institutions (HBCUs, HSIs, TSIs), and low-income disadvantaged communities (LIDACs) with three primary goals: reducing energy costs, eliminating carbon emissions, and strengthening community resilience against extreme weather events. You will promote sustainable financial practices and safeguard the fiscal integrity of our organization while advancing our mission of making clean energy accessible and affordable for all.

Success in this role requires deep expertise in clean energy finance, strong project management capabilities, and a passion for community-centered development. You'll need to balance financial rigor with mission impact, develop creative financing solutions for underserved markets, and build meaningful partnerships across diverse stakeholders.

About Us

As Texas's pioneering non-profit green bank, Clean Energy Fund of Texas (CEFTX) is transforming how clean energy solutions reach communities across our state. We bridge financial gaps and create opportunities for smart investments in energy efficiency, solar, and wind power—making sustainable energy both accessible and affordable for every Texan.

Our mission extends beyond environmental impact. We're driving economic development and energy independence where it matters most—in historically underserved communities that have long faced barriers to clean energy adoption. Through innovative financing solutions and strategic partnerships, we're empowering families, businesses, and communities to join Texas's clean energy transition.

As a U.S. EPA Solar for All awardee, CEFTX leads the CHARGE initiative—Communities Helping America Renew and Grow the Economy—across a multi-state region. Through CHARGE, we’re partnering with higher education institutions - especially Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) - local contractors, and grassroots organizations to build solar projects that reflect community priorities and deliver lasting change. From energy savings and emissions reduction to workforce development and STEM education, CHARGE isn't just about powering homes—it’s about powering opportunity.

In this role, you’ll primarily be responsible for

Program & Project Management

• Responsible for project financing, financial strategy, and capital stack modeling development.
• Support the CHARGE Program Director to develop and refine strategic plans that guide the CHARGE program, this includes setting measurable goals, creating detailed budgets, and identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress.
• Identify and compile the appropriate loan documentation for specific loan types, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies, from loan origination through the approval/closing/funding process.
• Review proforma income statements, spreadsheets and financial models to analyze project feasibility, borrower’s financial condition, credit risk profile, support sound lending decisions.
• Prepare detailed credit memos for appropriate approvals, summarizing key financial data and risk assessments for the CCO and senior leadership team
• Underwrite and structure loans for the origination of clean energy projects up to ~ $100M.
• Conduct ongoing credit risk assessments for the designated loan portfolio.
  
  

Grant & Loan Portfolio Management

• Play an important role in the development and growth of the organization’s green lending portfolio, in alignment with our mission and strategic plan.
• Design and execute our approach to lending by prioritizing the needs of strategically aligned organizations and centering communities who are disproportionately harmed by pollution burdens and climate vulnerabilities.
• Responsible for CHARGE program-wide project financing; coordination of technical assistance providers, internal and external resources in determining project feasibility, origination, capital stack structuring, underwriting, closing and funding.
  
  

Partner & Stakeholder Coordination

• Collect and analyze data and reporting for financial portfolio management; prepare detailed reports for internal stakeholders, funders, and regulatory bodies that document progress, outcomes, and compliance.
• Support program capacity by leading or facilitating technical assistance resources for training coalition partners and community organizations to enhance their capacity to develop and manage solar projects. This includes coordinating technical assistance resources, facilitating workshops, and providing one-on-one support as needed.
• Support engagement and coordination with regulatory authorities, utilities, and other public entities to facilitate the deployment of solar to eligible sites in the multi-state program territory.
  
  

Core Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in the clean energy finance sector originating and underwriting two or more of the following types of Finance: Commercial, Industrial, Project Finance, Tax Credit Finance, Commercial Real Estate, C-Pace
• Experience in having developed, participated in or financed a distributive community solar project (e.g., solar farm)
• Strong understanding of Commercial and Industrial finance credit risk assessment methodologies, financial modeling techniques, and credit enhancement tools.
• Ability to think through and solve problems, provide solutions, and mitigate risk.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas across different mediums and collaborate remotely with cross-functional teams
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines and deliverables simultaneously
• BS in Finance, Accounting, Urban Planning or Economics, or related field
• Proficiency with Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.,) and project management tools (e.g., Monday.com)
  
  

What We Offer

The expected annual salary range for this position is $130,000-$145,000, commensurate with qualifications and location. We offer competitive benefits, including 100% comprehensive health care coverage for employees (medical, dental, and vision), at least 90% employer contribution toward health care coverage for dependents; work-from-home reimbursements (internet, phone, office set up), up to 3% employer match to 401K, 14 paid holidays plus 3 weeks of vacation, 5 sick days, and paid parental and caregiver leaves.

This role is a remote opportunity with a strong preference for candidates based in Texas, Louisiana, or Washington, D.C., particularly those with experience in or connection to the communities we serve. Exceptional candidates in other states may be considered based on alignment with the role’s responsibilities and our mission. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, conferences, and other external engagements.

This position will support across our lending portfolios, focusing an estimated 80% on the delivery of our CHARGE initiative and the remaining 20% will be dedicated to our commercial loan program.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful workplace. We recognize that each team member brings unique abilities that contribute to our overall success. We don't discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

We're committed to providing the best experience for all candidates, and we can offer accommodation or adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please email [e-mail] to request accommodation during the hiring process.