Manager, Project Finance

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Salary Range:  $150,000-$175,000  plus bonus and incentive stock options

Reports to: Director, Project Finance

About The Company:

NineDot's name derives from the classic mathematical puzzle for sparking out-of-the-box solutions. As a leading community-scale, clean energy developer with a growing portfolio of projects across a range of technologies, NineDot Energy is creating innovative energy solutions that support a more resilient electric grid, deliver economic savings, address environmental justice, and reduce carbon emissions. We plan to develop, build and operate more than 400 MW of clean energy systems by 2026 that will strengthen the local power grid infrastructure and provide clean, reliable and resilient power to tens of thousands of New York households and businesses. This is all in support of New York State’s mission to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040.

With the backing of Manulife Investment Management and Carlyle Group - two of the world’s leading infrastructure investors - NineDot is continuing to expand its core battery energy storage pipeline, deliver enhanced products and services, explore new regions and consider potential acquisitions all to advance the decarbonization of New York’s grid. This is an exciting opportunity to build a platform from the ground-up with a world-class team of developers and innovators. NineDot is committed to building a company that exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion values in its team culture, as well as business practices and community engagement.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director, Project Finance the Manager, Project Finance will play a key role on our project finance team supporting capital raising activities to aid the development of NineDot project portfolio, including project finance debt, equipment financing, land financing, and tax equity. You will work closely with the project development, legal, and executive teams and lead the development of financial models, financial analysis and due diligence, and prepare financial and operational reports to support project finance activities. You will regularly interact  with external parties including investment banks, tax equity investors, and consultants.

Roles and responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Project Finance models to evaluate project economics from concept to future cash flows.
• Structure, negotiate, and execute project financing arrangements, including term loans, tax equity investments, and other structured debt financing.
• Coordinate with banks, financial institutions and consultants to arrange syndication and raise funds, including debt and tax equity from various financial institutions/banks/lease financing companies.
• Review and interpret financial data, due diligence, term sheet negotiations, and documentation with lenders and lawyers.
• Work closely with the project development team to screen new projects and ensure financial models accurately reflect project assumptions and risks, and conduct feasibility studies to express the financial viability of new ventures.
• Undertake all the necessary activities, i.e., collecting the information, preparing the projection model, finalizing the design, etc. to evaluate capital investment, proposals and calculate project/equity IRRs, DSCRs, sensitivity scenarios, etc.
• Monitor and report on project financial performance, including tracking actual versus projected performance, and identifying trends and opportunities for improvement. Coordinate debt facilities’ drawdown/repayments and monitor compliance with financial covenants.
• Support economic review and interpretation of potential M&A opportunities.
• Prepare and manage project specific deliverables related to financial or contractual requirements.
• Stay up-to-date on renewable energy industry trends, financial markets, and regulatory changes (e.g. IRA), and make recommendations for strategic adjustments.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Competencies for Success

• Problem Solving - Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; conducts excellent and honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn’t stop at the first answer.
• Interpersonal Savvy - Able to relate well to all individuals within and beyond the organization; builds appropriate rapport along with constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact.
• Perseverance -  Pursues everything with energy, drive, and a need to finish; seldom gives up before finishing, especially in the face of resistance or setbacks.
• Dealing With Ambiguity - Can effectively cope with change and shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture.
• Creativity - Capable of coming up with new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions.
• Technical Learning - Picks up on technical things quickly, capable of learning new skills and knowledge, good at learning new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge.
• Intellectual Horsepower - Demonstrated ability to deal with concepts and complexity comfortably; described as intellectually sharp, capable,and agile.

Required education and experience

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in project finance or M&A.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related fields required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience and knowledge in areas of project proposals, project finance structures, regulatory frameworks, and all the financial accountabilities related to multiple projects.
• Experience in the energy, real estate, tax equity, and prior project finance roles strongly preferred.
• Strong financial modeling, presentation and communication skills. Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience in equity and debt fundraising and optimizing capital structure.
• Knowledge of project finance documentation and experience handling financial closing work either as a project developer or a financier.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.  

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and committed to leveraging the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experience of our workforce to create opportunities for our colleagues and our business. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender expression, gender identity, sex, age, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran and military status, disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status of an individual or that individual’s associates or relatives that is protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Covid 19 Protocol

NineDot continues to monitor local COVID-19 protocols mandated by state and federal governments. For those who will be joining events in person, you may be required to test before meetings.