Strategic Business Development Officer (Bay Area) Oakland, CA

Strategic Business Development Officer (Bay Area) Oakland, CA

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, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware; GRID also works 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 participate 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 Strategic Business Development Officer leads the new project development efforts as GRID Alternatives Bay Area expands its programs and impact. This role is a key external-facing position for the affiliate, and internally, leads strategy and implementation of GRID’s approach and implementation of project development. Business development includes but is not limited to: pursuing large-scale grants from government agencies to build resilience hubs, microgrids, and community solar; partnering with for-profit companies to deploy said strategies or securing contracts to implement the work; and determining which new technologies to integrate into GRID’s existing offerings given the market and future trends. The operating budget for GRID Alternatives Bay Area is approximately $5 million annually.

The Opportunity…

Above all else, the candidate must be committed to the GRID Alternatives mission to serve economic and environmental justice communities while creating a rapid and equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone. Any person at GRID Alternatives must be able to advance the organization's equity, inclusion, and diversity work and understand that this can only be achieved within a framework of social, economic, and environmental justice.

   Leadership

• Build and deepen regional networks and partnerships for GRID in collaboration with the BA Executive Director and BA Development Manager
• Lead and/or facilitate relationship management strategies with public agencies and for-profit partners
• As a leader at GRID, practice inclusive leadership and serve as an effective role model for staff and GRID, and collaborate, coordinate, and cooperate with GRID departments, other affiliates, and affiliate Boards

   Grant Management

• Research funding opportunities and seek organizational alignment
• Engage with prospective partners to represent GRID and build relationships
• Develop, execute, and monitor development strategies to meet goals for public financing and earned income
• Oversee grant development for government contracts and fee-for-service programs
• Oversee contract management and stewardship plan follow-through, including collecting data and reporting to funders, for government contracts and fee-for-service programs
• Approve scope and budgets on grant and contract opportunities under $100k, and consult with Executive Director and/or Development Manager on larger funding opportunities
• Work collaboratively with GRID HQ and other affiliate development staff on national and cross-regional business development opportunities
• Utilize Salesforce CRM to enter, track, review and analyze pertinent information 

   Project Development

• Steward grant opportunities, both government and fee-for-service, from inception to application submittal, including managing internal working group
• Determine information collection plan from all necessary partners, internal and external
• Synthesize and frame information into proposal format, such as RFP, MOU, or grant, and create application packets with deliverables and budgets as needed by funder
• After securing awards or contracts, develop and/or track metrics that support storytelling for future philanthropic or contract opportunities

What you need to bring to this role…​

• 3+ years experience in business development and/or project development
• 3+ years experience or equivalent education with clean energy technologies
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as an ability to communicate professionally and passionately about GRID’s work
• Initiate new opportunities and follow through on potential opportunities
• Both organized and adaptable
• Demonstrate presence, common sense, and good listening
• Compassion for community, both inside and outside GRID

*Hired CA candidates must be able to pass a screening for drugs that are illegal in the state of California, including: amphetamine, cocaine metabolite, opiates, and PCP.

Where you will sit & the places you may go…

This position resides in our San Francisco Bay Area region serving multiple counties including but not limited to Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma. Remote/Hybrid work is possible. This position may rarely require a small amount (up to 25%) of travel to regional offices for special projects, but no regular in-person work is required. Availability to work nights and weekends may be required.

GRID Alternatives provides vehicles for work travel, and due to COVID-19 current guidelines, we may also require limited 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 commensurate with experience within the pay band of $65,000 - $80,000 plus the benefits listed below. A 75% time (30 hours per week) version of this role is possible.

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 both a resume and a cover letter describing your interest at https://gridalternatives.org/get-involved/careers/open-positions. 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!

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