Director of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

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, one of the most successful clean energy technology innovators 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 17% 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. The Director of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) will assist in all aspects of the company’s M&A activities, including sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and executing solar/renewable energy-related transactions. This individual will collaborate closely with senior leadership to identify potential acquisition targets, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and divestitures that align with the company’s long-term growth strategy and objectives. The Director will also oversee due diligence, portfolio management and reporting, as well as working closely with the project finance team. .

What Makes This Job Unique:

• Leadership Impact: As Director of M&A you will have significant influence on key strategic decisions and play a vital role in shaping the future of 1st Avenue Power's energy strategy.
• 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:

• M&A Strategy & Deal Sourcing
  • Assist with the development and execution of the company’s M&A strategy in alignment with its corporate goals and objectives.
  • Support Identification and sourcing of potential acquisition opportunities, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships within the solar energy and renewable energy sectors.
  • Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including financial institutions, industry leaders, advisors, and other potential partners.
  • Monitor trends and activities in the development and IPP sectors as well as capital markets to identify value-add opportunities.
• Due Diligence & Financial Analysis
  • Conduct thorough project and deal analysis, including valuation, financial modeling, and risk assessment.
  • Lead the due diligence process, working closely with internal teams (finance, legal, operations, and strategy) and external advisors to assess all aspects of each project, including interconnection, permitting, real estate, regulatory, and power markets.
  • Develop transaction structures and support negotiation, ensuring alignment with the company’s objectives and minimizing risk.
• Portfolio Management and Reporting
  • Draft investment memoranda to support decision-making and present recommendations to the senior management.
  • Develop comprehensive and dynamic portfolio tracking and management systems to support cross functional efficiency, risk management, and external reporting.
  • Draft memoranda for capital raise efforts, offtake RFPs, and other project and corporate-level opportunities.
• Transaction Execution
  • Help drive the closing process and oversee the drafting and execution of legal documentation for project acquisitions.
  • Support the project finance team in closing on equity, debt, and tax equity transactions including responding to Q&A logs, populating data rooms, and reviewing legal documentation.
• Market Intelligence & Strategic Planning
  • Stay abreast of industry trends, demand drivers, and regulatory changes in the solar energy and renewable energy sectors to inform M&A strategy.
  • Provide insights on market conditions, the developer / IPP landscape, and potential threats or opportunities for growth.
  • Contribute to the company’s long-term strategic planning and business development initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• MBA or a Master’s degree in Finance or a relevant field is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, development, investment banking, corporate development, or private equity, with a focus on the renewable energy, infrastructure, or energy sectors.
• Proven track record in successfully executing M&A transactions, including supporting the sourcing, negotiation, and closing of deals.
• Strong understanding of the solar and renewable energy development, business models, and regulatory frameworks.
• Deep knowledge of due diligence, transaction structuring, and financial modeling.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly to senior executives, stakeholders, and potential partners.
• Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively with legal, finance, operations, and senior management teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within the solar energy or renewable energy sectors for a developer or IPP.
• Familiarity with tax equity, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and other financing mechanisms commonly used in the renewable energy industry.
• Data center siting, development, or financing experience is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation Package
• 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.]