Director of Finance

Collective Energy Management LLC•Remote,

22d•$150,000 - $200,000

About The Position

Collective Energy is seeking an experienced finance leader to own its finance function as the organization expands its solar-plus-storage projects for community health centers and other nonprofits. This hands-on role has meaningful influence in an early-stage company and combines financial strategy, reliable reporting, grant and financing compliance, and scalable operational development. The Director of Finance will serve as a key thought partner to the CEO and executive leadership, manage outsourced bookkeeping, coordinate specialist advisors, and help build the finance team as the organization grows. The position has no direct reports currently. The role leads annual planning, budgeting, rolling forecasts, variance analysis, executive reporting, and oversight of external accounting partners. It owns grant financial strategy, spending compliance, funder reporting, audit readiness, fiscal policies and controls, and project financing support. The Director of Finance also leads external audits, including federal Single Audits, and manages tax and tax-credit compliance across multiple entities and special-purpose vehicles. Collective Energy offers a base salary of $150,000–$200,000, an annual performance bonus, profit sharing, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), competitive paid time off, and a flexible work schedule with remote work.

Requirements

At least 6 years of progressive finance experience, including hands-on project finance or finance leadership in commercial solar, storage, comparable energy development, or closely relevant infrastructure.
Demonstrated multi-funder grant accounting experience managing budgets across state and federal grants or foundations.
Hands-on experience using class, division, customer, or project fields to allocate expenses by program and funder.
Familiarity with federal grant compliance mechanisms, including Single Audits under Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200).
Experience managing project economics, multiple entities, and construction or long-term financing.
Fluency with modern cloud-based finance technology, such as QuickBooks Online and Ramp, and an interest in automating and streamlining workflows.
Experience delivering results in a high-growth, entrepreneurial business with a small team and external advisors.
Exceptional communication skills and ability to explain complex financial data, forecasts, and accounting matters to non-financial stakeholders.
Strong command of U.S. GAAP, financial statements, and project accounting, with the ability to review technical work and own financial results.
Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.
Detail-oriented critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and sound business judgment.

Nice To Haves

Clean energy project finance experience.
Experience with tax-credit transfers, including ITCs.
Audit preparation experience.
Federal or state grant accounting experience, including 2 CFR Part 200.
Experience managing multiple sets of books.
Experience implementing finance workflow automation.
CPA and/or MBA.

Responsibilities

Lead annual budgeting with the CEO, developing organizational, project, and departmental budgets.
Develop rolling monthly and quarterly financial forecasts, analyze variances, identify strategic insights, and provide executive-level reporting.
Oversee external bookkeeping and accounting partners, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, month-end close, and reconciliations.
Evaluate and improve financial systems, workflow automation, and internal controls; help select and onboard an internal team.
Own understanding and application of grant and financing terms, including allowable spending, compliance, and reporting for state, federal, and foundation grants and contracts.
Lead financial design and narrative development for grant applications to state, federal, private foundation, and corporate funders.
Monitor grant spending and allowable costs to maintain budget compliance; produce timely and accurate financial reports for grantors.
Maintain accessible, structured financial records for grant agreements and reporting.
Lead external audits, including federal Single Audits under Uniform Guidance, and manage preparation, documentation, and resolution of audit findings.
Maintain year-round internal controls and fiscal policies; oversee begin-construction and safe-harbor documentation, placed-in-service deadlines, prevailing wage and apprenticeship records, domestic content, prohibited foreign entity material-assistance requirements, and recapture tracking.
Structure and execute project financing with leadership and financing partners, including capital stacks combining tax credits and grants; review term sheets and transaction documents with advisors.
Coordinate with the outsourced tax firm on multi-entity tax returns involving multiple SPVs.
Own investment tax credit and other tax-credit submissions and compliance, including credit transfers and Direct Pay elections; coordinate buyer diligence, tax-credit insurance, and bridge financing with specialist advisors.