Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic (On-site)

Executive Director (GRID MIDA) Washington, DC

Why you want to work here...

GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. GRID is an entrepreneurial, high-growth non-profit organization that provides direct solar installation and project development; clean mobility options; workforce training and service learning opportunities; and low-income solar policy advocacy.

Our Vision: a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone.

Our Mission: to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.

Based in Oakland, California, GRID has 8 regional offices and affiliates serving all of California, Colorado, Mid-Atlantic/Washington D.C. region, and Tribal Lands within the U.S. Additionally, GRID has international operations in Nicaragua, Mexico, and Nepal. GRID has a dedicated staff of 400 and growing!

What it's like at GRID…

At GRID, we care about each other and know that each employee has a whole self that includes life outside of work. Our culture supports learning, growth and well-being of all of our team members. Every member of GRID Alternatives must be dedicated to participating in the organization's equity, inclusion, and diversity (EID) work.

GRID Alternatives provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Because we value EID at GRID Alternatives, we encourage folks from all backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications.

Why this is a big deal...

The GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic affiliate Executive Director (ED) works with GRID’s national leadership, the GRID Mid-Atlantic Board of Directors, and staff to sustain and build on the successful track record of the organization. Working closely with and reporting to the affiliate Board and the national GRID Alternatives organization, the ED is responsible for GRID Mid-Atlantic’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. The ED also contributes to the overall stewardship of the collective GRID organization.

At this time, GRID Mid-Atlantic has gone through a period of balancing and restructuring. We have a team of about 10 talented staff. We are looking for a leader who can stabilize the organization, support staff growth and development, and work with the team to rebuild sustainably.

The ED must be an inclusive, strategic, and organized leader with strong operations, financial, staff management, and partnership development experience. Above all else, the ED must be committed to GRID's vision, mission, and values, our team, and a collaborative culture. The ED reports to GRID HQ’s VP of Regions with additional oversight from the affiliate Board of Directors. This is an AMAZING opportunity for someone who wants to run a non-profit and shape the vision and strategic direction in the region with the benefit of having the resources and infrastructure of a robust national organization.

Our ideal candidate…

A visionary, a business leader, a thought leader, and a coach. Your drive, passion really, is fueled by your innate ability to elevate and advance the world around you--you can’t help yourself. You were never content to sit on the sidelines and wait for someone else to start, or to get it done, you always, always, just jumped right in, all in, because doing good and making better is your love language and those around you, witnessing you, are inspired to do the same. Your mantra, “All people, given the right opportunities, and the right resources, at the right time, or the “right now” time, are capable of doing great things.” Because you know, they are the ones that they have been waiting for, and your job is to just show them the way, hold the space, and usher in greatness.

The Opportunity…

KEY AREAS of RESPONSIBILITIES:

LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT & EQUITY

• Hire, onboard, support, manage, develop, and lead a diverse staff of top-quality people, ensuring they have the needed information, tools, and resources to do their jobs well. When staff changes are necessary, including terminations, they should be handled with empathy, adherence to legal requirements, and consideration for the overall well-being of the organization and staff.
• Practice inclusive leadership, visibly advance the organization's equity, inclusion, and diversity initiatives, and work to build an internal culture that seeks to examine and dismantle systems of oppression and habits of white supremacy culture
• Serve as an effective role model for staff and GRID, and collaborate, coordinate, and cooperate with GRID HQ, other affiliates, and the GRID affiliate Board
• Ensure that the GRID affiliate Board and GRID HQ are connected, coordinated, and collaborative
• Do what needs to get done to make the mission happen even if it means taking out the trash, having difficult conversations, making hard decisions, and being adaptable and open to change

FUNDRAISING & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Manage the finances of GRID affiliate with the support of GRID HQ CFO/COO/accounting staff and local Board of Directors/Finance Committee, including preparing and updating the affiliate budget and managing expenditures to that budget
• Lead affiliate fundraising efforts to ensure the organization’s sustainability and work collaboratively with HQ development staff on national fundraising efforts – this includes fundraising from private foundations, corporate sponsors, local government, and individual donors

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

• Deliver on organizational mission in impactful, timely, high-quality manner. Currently, project types focus on workforce development and solar electric installations on single-family homes benefiting economic and environmental justice communities. Workstream expansion in future years may include solar on affordable multifamily housing and non-profit facilities, community solar, storage, EV charging, and building electrification/decarbonization.
• Work directly with GRID HQ and the affiliate Board to ensure all operations are consistent with GRID policies, best practices, culture, and vision, including developing/updating local systems and structures as needed 
• Develop and work with the GRID affiliate Board, communicating effectively and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions

STRATEGY & ADVOCACY

• Work directly with staff, GRID HQ, and GRID affiliate Board to establish the vision for GRID affiliate in alignment with GRID’s Strategic Plan and develop, prioritize, and implement strategies and goals to accomplish the vision
• Grow GRID’s presence, policy influence, positive public image, mission impact, and financial viability in the affiliate region, including networking and speaking presentations. 
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships, joint programs, and collaborative relationships with external stakeholders

What you need to bring to this role…​

• Strong commitment and passion for GRID’s mission of building community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy
• Min. 5 years senior/executive management and leadership experience
• Diplomatic, strong negotiator, conflict mediator, and team builder
• Broad-minded, able to flex between big picture and detail
• Adept problem solver and has growth mindset, able to learn and adopt new skills and approaches
• Excellent communicator (written and verbal)
• Seasoned manager (particularly managing and motivating a diverse team with a mix of technical and non-technical staff and ensuring organized, efficient, quality delivery of services)
• Comfortable working with and communicating with diverse populations
• Self-motivated and driven 
• Able to both work independently, as well as collaboratively with GRID staff and stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience developing, maintaining, and refining systems and structures to improve team and organizational effectiveness and succession planning

It would be great if you also had…

• Previous non-profit management experience
• Connections to affordable housing, philanthropic, job training, solar, clean transportation, and low-income advocacy organizations/communities in Washington, DC metro area that can be leveraged for GRID
• Knowledge of solar energy development and/or construction
• Technical skills (specifically MS Teams, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and Salesforce.com)
• Strong ties and roots in Washington, DC metro area 
• Experience with trauma-informed and restorative justice practices
• Lived experience that enables an understanding of poverty and systems of oppression

Where you will sit & the places you may go…

This position is based in Washington, DC where GRID MIDA has its office. The position is in-person with flexibility for remote work a couple of days per week.

This position may require overnight travel, including up to 15% out-of-town travel to GRID’s headquarter offices in Oakland, CA, other GRID regional offices, and special projects both in and outside of the affiliate’s region. Availability to work nights and weekends may rarely be required.

GRID Alternatives provides vehicles for work travel and may also require personal vehicle use. In the latter instance, GRID will provide travel reimbursement for work-related personal vehicle use in accordance with our payroll schedule. Additionally, all applicants will need a valid driver’s license and good driving record to be considered.

Let's Talk Money

This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary pay commensurate with experience within the pay band ($110k-130k annually), plus the benefits below.

How we take care of you...

Medical, Dental, Vision/Eye Care insurance, 5 weeks paid time off (PTO),13 paid holidays, Commuter Checks, 403b Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), STD, LTD, and AD&D insurance

Ready to Apply?

Submit a resume describing your interest. Due to the high volume of inquiries, mailed and emailed applications are not accepted. Please do not call and/or email requesting an update.

Thank you for your interest in GRID Alternatives!