Sr. Director, Project Finance

About 1st Avenue Power:

At 1st Avenue Power, we are on a mission to deliver simple, fast-to-deploy, customer-centric and intelligent power systems leveraging the abundance of solar to provide inexpensive and reliable clean energy to global customers from data centers to energy starved communities around the world. We envision a future where every community, business, and nation thrives on the limitless potential of clean energy, united in a shared commitment to a sustainable and equitable world.

You will be working with Dr. Tom Buttgenbach, a clean energy technology innovator and entrepreneur who has been a driving force in making solar-based energy solutions the cheapest and most reliable energy option. Tom founded and led Avantus (formerly known as “8minute Solar Energy“), to become one of the largest and most profitable solar and energy storage companies in the United States and the largest in California, including delivering over 10% of Los Angeles’ power.  When Tom sold his interest in Avantus’ development business  to KKR in mid-2024, it had delivered over $1 billion in profit and secured over $10 Billion in power purchase agreements and project financings with a pipeline of over 30 GW of solar and 90 GWh of energy storage, capable of powering the homes of more than 20 million Americans day and night. Tom’s family office investment firm, 1st Avenue Capital, is building teams for the next generation of advanced solar power system architecture and AI to aggressively drive down the cost of and equitable access to clean and reliable energy.[1] 1st Avenue’s advanced large scale power systems are addressing the increasing inadequacy of the grid to meet the massively growing power demands of the digital economy, while its intelligent distributed solar utilities are leapfrogging the grid to provide equitable access to inexpensive, clean and reliable power to underserved communities around the world.

 

About the Role:

Join a groundbreaking team of proven leaders at the forefront of the clean energy transition. We are building a future where sustainable energy is accessible to all. We are seeking a highly motivated Sr. Director, Project Finance to join our dynamic finance team. The Sr. Director of Project Finance will oversee the financial structuring, modeling, and management of various solar/renewable energy projects within the organization. This role is responsible for developing and implementing financing strategies, negotiating with financial institutions, and ensuring the successful closure of project financing for solar projects. The Sr. Director will collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to drive project financing efforts from the initial stages to project completion.

 

What Makes This Job Unique:

Leadership Impact: As a Sr. Director of Project Finance, you will have a significant contribution to key financial decisions and play a vital role in shaping the future of 1st Avenue Power's energy strategy. You will also have the opportunity to work alongside a talented team of professionals.

Growth Potential: 1st Avenue Power and the project pipeline is in high growth mode, offering excellent opportunities for career growth and professional development.

Co-Founder Mindset: This is an opportunity for a passionate and driven individual to join a groundbreaking team and contribute significantly to our mission. We encourage candidates who bring a co-founder mindset, with a focus on ownership, innovation, and a deep commitment to building a sustainable and equitable energy future.

 

Job Responsibilities:

• Project Financing Strategy & Execution
• Lead the financial structuring, evaluation, and negotiation of project financing for solar energy projects, including debt, equity, tax equity, and hybrid financing structures.
• Develop, maintain, and refine complex financial models for solar projects, incorporating tax equity, debt financing, and project cash flows.
• Identify and assess the most appropriate sources of capital for each project, considering risk, return, and project-specific factors.
• Develop and execute strategies to optimize capital structure and minimize financing costs for solar projects.
• Stakeholder Management & Negotiations
• Build and maintain relationships with financial institutions, investors, lenders, and other stakeholders.
• Lead negotiations with banks, private equity firms, tax equity investors, and other financial partners.
• Serve as a point of contact for external financiers during the financing process.
• Financial Analysis & Reporting
• Analyze the financial viability of proposed projects, including evaluating cash flow projections, return on investment (ROI), internal rates of return (IRR), and other key financial metrics.
• Prepare detailed financial reports, presentations, and due diligence packages for senior management, investors, and stakeholders.
• Monitor the financial performance of projects post-financing and ensure compliance with financial covenants.
• Cross-Functional Coordination
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure projects are financially optimized and successfully executed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• MBA, Master’s in Finance, or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in project finance, investment banking, or corporate finance, with a focus on renewable energy or infrastructure projects.
• Proven track record in financing large-scale solar or renewable energy projects, including debt and equity transactions.
• Strong understanding of project finance structures, tax equity, and capital markets.
• Expertise in financial modeling, valuation, and risk analysis.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to manage complex financial transactions.
• In-depth knowledge of renewable energy markets, government incentives, and financing mechanisms specific to solar energy.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong proficiency in financial modeling (Excel), DCF analysis, and project valuation techniques.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within the solar energy or renewable energy sectors.
• Familiarity with tax equity, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and other financing mechanisms commonly used in the renewable energy industry.
•  Existing network within the solar energy investment community, including relationships with private equity firms, venture capitalists, and other financiers.
• International M&A experience or knowledge of global solar energy markets is a plus.
• Experience working in a fast-growing and dynamic environment.

Compensation & Benefits:

•  Salary and Equity
• Health Insurance: We offer 100% coverage of employee premiums under a Gold-level PPO plan.
• Dental & Vision Insurance: 50% of employee premiums are covered.
• Retirement Plan: A 401(k) plan with a 6% employer match.

1AI Energy, the employing entity for 1st Avenue Power, and 1st Avenue Power are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee based on race (inclusive of traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), age, veteran or military status, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, reproductive decision-making, or any other legally recognized protected class under federal, state, or local law.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on 1AI Energy or 1st Avenue Power. Please inform the company's personnel representative if you need assistance completing an application or to otherwise participate in the application process. 

 

Join our team and make a real difference in the world.

[1: Additionally, 1st Avenue is in the business of acquiring projects where there has been a final notice-to-proceed or financial close.]