Structured Finance Associate, IPP

New Leaf Energy, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision benefits

401k with match

Paid time off

Hybrid work policy

Parental leave policy

Professional development assistance

Job summary

New Leaf Energy, Inc. is seeking a Structured Finance Associate to join our Power Plants division, based in Chicago with a hybrid work policy.

The role focuses on building and reviewing complex financial models (IRR, NPV), supporting pricing for DevCo transactions, and guiding diligence across real estate, permitting, and interconnection for renewable energy projects. The ideal candidate has 3-4 years in renewable energy project finance or related fields, with strong Excel modeling skills and

Qualifications

• 3-4 years in renewable energy project finance, investment banking, or corporate development with solar exposure.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related quantitative field.
• Advanced Excel modeling skills (VBA is often a plus) and a deep understanding of Project Finance mechanics.
• General understanding of tax equity concepts and different project finance deal structures.
• General understanding of project development lifecycle for renewable energy projects.
• Strong attention to detail and project management skills required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain complex, project and portfolio-level financial models to evaluate project returns (IRR, NPV), cash flows, and sensitivities.
• Provide arm’s length pricing to development company (DevCo) for projects considered for sale to IPP.
• Support Manager of Structured Finance and third party diligence providers in performing diligence on projects offered to IPP by DevCo.
• Maintain checklists, schedules and other project management tools to keep diligence organized and allow transactions to close quickly.
• Draft project-specific MIPAs between DevCo and IPP and identify post-closing obligations.
• Monitor CPs in financing agreements to support timely drawdowns.
• Manage day-to-day operations to support capital structure, including compliance, reporting, and executing funding agreements.
• Support new capital transactions and deal support on additional rounds of PPD financing.
• Manage data rooms and respond to investor inquiries during capital raises.
• Identify and implement process improvements in coordination with stakeholders.

Skills

Renewable energy finance

Excel modeling

Tax equity basics

Development lifecycle

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel VBA

Job description

New Leaf Energy is an experienced clean energy developer that partners with landowners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. We identify high-value sites, work with landowners and local communities to develop them, and partner with long-term asset owners to bring the most impactful clean energy projects to life.

New Leaf Energy, Inc. is seeking a Structured Finance Associate to join our team supporting our Power Plants division.

This position may be filled out of our Boston, MA or Lowell, MA, Troy, NY, Chicago, IL or Oakland, CA offices. We value in-person collaboration and offer a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and are free to work from the office or home on other days.

Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain complex, project and portfolio-level financial models to evaluate project returns (IRR, NPV), cash flows, and sensitivities
• Responsible for providing arm’s length pricing to NLE’s development company (DevCo) for projects in consideration for sale to NLE’s Power Plants Division (IPP)
• Support Manager of Structured Finance and third party diligence providers in performing diligence on projects offered to IPP by DevCo with respect to real estate, project permitting, and interconnection, and other development items
• Maintain checklists, schedules and other project management tools required to keep the diligence process organized and allow transactions with New Leaf’s DevCo to close quickly and IPP to draw down on funds to move forward in the project construction process
• Assist Manager of Structured Finance in drafting of project-specific MIPAs between NLE DevCo and IPP using existing template, identifying potential DevCo post closing obligations (PCOs) and inclusion of additional terms that align with IPP’s financing arrangements
• Monitor and ensure compliance with the condition precedents (CPs) agreed to by IPP in existing financing agreement(s) in support of drawing down on committed funds in a timely manner
• Manage the day to day operations needed to support the capital structure, including compliance, reporting, and execution of supplemental funding agreements. Execute on the standard work needed for this to run smoothly and efficiently.
• Support all new capital transactions, including serving as deal support on additional rounds of PPD financing. Perform project management of internal and external resources to ensure efficient execution and a smooth deal close
• Manage data rooms and respond to investor inquiries during capital-raising processes.
• Proactively identify and work on new process improvements in coordination with other stakeholders.
• Any other duties, as assigned by Manager of Structured Finance.

Desired Qualifications

While no individual will possess them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences, skills, and attributes.

• 3-4 years in renewable energy project finance, investment banking, or corporate development, specifically with exposure to solar assets.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related quantitative field
• Advanced Excel modeling skills (VBA is often a plus) and a deep understanding of Project Finance mechanics.
• General understanding of tax equity concepts and different project finance deal structures;
• General understanding of project development lifecycle for renewable energy projects
• Strong attention to detail and project management skills required;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Compensation

New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market-competitive base salary, plus above-market variable compensation, plus an equity-like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership. We use a data-driven and transparent methodology to calibrate compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable, guided by the New Leaf Energy compensation manual, which is available to all employees.

Under our compensation framework, the likely base salary range for this position in Chicago is $104,845 - $120,449. The on-target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 10% percent of base salary. Your actual salary may be above, in, or below this range, depending on your location and experience. Our office locations in Lowell, Boston, Oakland, and Chicago all carry geography-based upward adjustments to the base pay range.

We value transparency and can share more during the interview process.

Benefits and Culture

New Leaf Energy’s success is driven by our collaborative, long-term relationships based on trust and transparency. We offer a flexible work environment that places significant responsibility in independent teams and creates opportunities for innovation and personal growth. New Leaf Energy’s benefits are designed to appropriately recognize our employees’ contributions and enable a reasonable work/life balance. Our benefits include:

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental and vision;
• A 401k plan with immediate vesting and a company match (100% of the first three percent of your pay; 50% for the next two percent you contribute);
• An open and self-managed paid time-off policy;
• A hybrid work location policy that supports working from home for part of the week;
• A parental leave policy for both birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire;
• Professional development and education assistance.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

New Leaf Energy values the diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and contributions of all employees. We want all our employees to feel like they belong and are empowered to be their most authentic selves at work. We’re actively committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive environment not only within our own organization but also within the clean energy industry.

We seek a diverse candidate pool in this-and every-search. New Leaf Energy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, New Leaf Energy complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO M/F/D/V.