Executive Director, NJ Green Bank

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is seeking an Executive Director for the NJ Green Bank, a new agency focused on advancing clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The role involves strategic leadership, operational responsibility, and public representation. Ideal candidates should have experience in financing commercial projects, particularly in clean energy, and a commitment to engaging with diverse stakeholders. The position is based in Newark, NJ.
Overview

About the New Jersey Green Bank

The State of New Jersey leads the nation in clean energy and energy efficiency policy, green building development, clean energy generation, and public investment to fight climate change. The New Jersey Green Bank is a new independent agency (established as a subsidiary of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority in May 2024) with the charter to use public capital to leverage and accelerate private sector investment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance the State’s sustainability and resiliency goals.

The NJ Green Bank’s purpose is to attract private sector funding to advance the State’s goals of advancing clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. NJ Green Bank financing will enable private capital to fill gaps by reducing real and perceived risk, absorbing transaction costs, and providing private investors the chance to learn about new market opportunities with the security of government partnership.

An institutional goal is to accelerate the deployment of low‐carbon technologies by mitigating upfront costs, leveraging private investment, and increasing the catalytic impact of public dollars. The NJ Green Bank is in its start‐up phase and along with this role will be supported via an initial staff, a 5‐member board of directors and the supporting infrastructure via a MOU with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

The current initial capital is approximately $200 million.

Job Summary

The NJ Green Bank seeks its inaugural Executive Director to launch this cutting‐edge, mission‐driven organization. The Board of Directors welcomes applications from visionary, experienced, and resourceful leaders ready to roll up their sleeves and build an organization from the ground up that builds out the bold visions of the State.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the NJ Green Bank’s staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. In addition, the individual will serve as the public face of the NJ Green Bank with key partners and stakeholders. Importantly, as the inaugural Executive Director, the selected candidate will provide strategic leadership and guide the organization through its critical start‐up phase and initial growth, including managing the recruitment of additional staff, and owning responsibility for the successful deployment of the organization’s first financial offerings and securing additional funding.

The Ideal Candidate

Candidates must have significant experience in public and/or private investments financing commercial projects across various technologies. Ideal candidates must have a background in clean energy and/or climate finance, blended finance, and the ability to design and deliver effective financial programs or other offerings. A commitment to engage and partner with relevant stakeholders, especially under‐served communities, is also important in order to successfully deploy and mobilize third‐party capital to catalyze low‐carbon and resilient projects and programs in the State.

They will likely have connections within and experience collaborating across the non‐profit, financial, energy, and public sector industries.

As a leader, the ideal candidate will be an experienced manager with a demonstrated ability to coach staff, and develop and manage high‐performance teams, especially in a start‐up environment. They will have experience setting and achieving strategic objectives with a talented Board and garnering and organizing staff and organizational resources to support those objectives.

A successful candidate will be able to seamlessly work across the strategic, operational, and administrative aspects of the role. They will be willing to take on additional responsibilities to fill in the needs of the NJ Green Bank, including but not limited to marketing, public relations, communications and fundraising; procurement, hiring, and contracting; training, outreach, and education.

The NJ Green Bank Executive Director will have the vision, leadership, and genuine commitment to developing a successful public-private start‐up…