Chief Executive Officer

Position description

New Energy Nexus (NEX) is a global non-profit organization striving towards a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the population in the shortest time possible. To achieve this goal, NEX supports diverse entrepreneurs with the accelerators, funds, skills, and networks they need to thrive. New Energy Nexus builds innovative ecosystems and runs programs that are locally tailored to support the specific needs of entrepreneurs in that region.

With nearly 20 years’ experience in launching and growing clean energy startups, we equip entrepreneurs with the right resources at the right time, leveraging our global network of people and institutions who share our vision across renewable energy technology, energy for agriculture, energy for transportation, energy access, built environment, and energy finance.

NEX started in California in 2004 as the California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF), as the locus of organizations working to advance sustainable energy in California, with the initial plan to pioneer a non-profit venture capital fund of funds model. In those early years, CalCEF made $30 million worth of indirect investments in companies through partnership with venture capital firms.

NEX now operates programs in New York, China, India, Southeast Asia, East and West Africa and Australia. NEX’s range of programs serve clean energy entrepreneurs — and those aspiring to be one — with a mix of business skills, networking, investor introductions, access to capital, access to mentors & experts, access to technology derisking facilities, etc. Many of the global programs are conducted in a cohort-style. They can vary in length from a few weeks to multi-year relationships. Since 2016, NEX has accelerated over 1000 startups, supported over 6000 entrepreneurs, and mobilized over US$1.5 billion in investment.

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• Vision – New Energy Nexus strives towards an abundant world with a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the population in the shortest time possible.
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• Mission – We support diverse entrepreneurs to drive innovation and build equity into the global clean energy economy.
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• Goal – Our goal is to support 100,000 clean energy entrepreneurs to succeed by 2030. It’s the Big, Risky, Audacious, Visionary & Exponential (BRAVE) goal the planet needs to accelerate the energy transition.
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Key Responsibilities

NEX has big ambitions for the coming years–ambitions driven by the speed and urgency of the energy transition needed. Above all, we are seeking a CEO who has the capabilities to take NEX to scale. This will involve working with key leaders in the organization to assess whether any changes are needed to NEX’s global structure and leading the organization through the change process if needed.

On a day-to-day basis, the New Energy Nexus (NEX) Chief Executive Officer is responsible for leading all aspects of NEX’s work, and for representing and advocating for NEX externally. Working closely with the Executive Committee and Senior Leadership Team, this person leads NEX in implementing and evolving its strategy in support of its mission to support diverse entrepreneurs to drive innovation and build equity into the global clean energy economy. The Chief Executive Officer is a thought leader in the field of global development, championing the role for clean energy in the world and the potential for entrepreneurship to achieve the energy transition in a way that builds economies and creates jobs. The Chief Executive Officer is charged with building, expanding, and maintaining productive relationships with chapters, partners and other key leaders in the field.

In concert with the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer is tasked with crafting the strategy of the organization and setting a path forward. As they enter the role, the individual will lead a global staff of 125 in the execution of the organizational strategy and its intended impact, ensuring all NEX activities are aligned in support of those goals. The CEO will build NEX’s public profile with media, partners and thought leaders in the clean energy and climate space. The CEO will manage an executive leadership team, currently comprising a Chief Operating Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Product Officer. The CEO may serve as the manager for other positions.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 

Executive Leadership

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• Lead the development and execution of long-term strategies. Implement and manage the execution of NEX’s strategic plan. 
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• Oversee NEX’s budget and ensure that NEX is a financially viable, sustainable organization with the resources to meet current and projected program growth.
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• Serve as NEX’s senior representative to key stakeholders, donor, and media.
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• Oversee management of all operational activities. Ensure coordination and integration of activities through Executive leaders.
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• Define, influence and shape the organizational culture by articulating and embedding values, hiring, and growing talent, and aligning organizational systems.
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• Build and nurture a culture in which innovation and learning are embraced.
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• Build strong and cohesive teams in a global landscape.
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• Reach out to the clean energy community to present NEX, its vision, and services through public presentations and by attending relevant business events, conferences, and gatherings.
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Board Engagement & Partnership

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• Communicate effectively with the Board of Directors and provide, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the board to function properly and to make informed decisions.
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• Organize and facilitate effective board committees, subcommittees and working groups to best use the substantial talent and experience on the board to further the mission.
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• Work to attract new Board members, reflective of a globally dispersed organization with global mandates.
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• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to identify and attract prospective new donors for NEX.
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Fundraising

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• Develop and maintain relationships with major funding organizations in the international development arena.
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• Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer in fundraising activities, including the design of specific programs and initiatives, and the exploration of new revenue generating channels.
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• Direct the development and refinement of organizational impact metrics.
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• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major individual donors, corporate, and/or foundation gifts.
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• Further expand fundraising efforts to include multi/bi-lateral organizations and corporate entities outside North America, while applying a global lens.
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• Identify and pursue alliances, relationships and affiliations with other organizations to increase and strengthen NEX’s visibility as a global partner supporting clean energy.
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Professional Experience & Competencies

Given the exciting period of growth NEX has experienced recently and the importance of clean energy in the world, the ideal candidate will have a track record of furthering growth within organizations through partnership development, diverse fundraising strategies, and continued geographical expansion. 

Additional professional experience and competencies include but are not limited to:

• Ten plus years’ progressively responsible leadership experience in positions charged with a combination of operational, financial, and commercial leadership.
• Ideally, significant experience in non-profit and/or clean energy organizations.
• Extensive global experience in roles of increasing seniority.
• Demonstrated financial and business acumen, including interpreting, and applying understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions, budgeting, financial analysis, reporting, compliance, and negotiation skills.
• Proven track record of recruiting, retaining, and growing diverse executive talent to play critical roles in a healthy, impact-focused, and driven organizational culture for current and future business needs.
• A thought leader with a proven track record of leading through change and ambiguity. Possesses a broad blend of business acumen and leadership skills. Makes sound and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Committed to climate justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. Has demonstrable experience partnering on and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in an organizational context.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including listening, and an ability to communicate effectively with and at all levels of the organization.
• Track record of managing and successfully navigating diverse audiences and interacting with a variety of non-executive stakeholders and constituents including but not limited to globally dispersed, Boards of Directors, government entities, and other non-profits.
• Unquestionable work ethic.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally frequently.

Compensation

• The estimated hiring compensation for the Chief Executive Officer position is $250K USD if located in the United States.

Application instructions

• Interested and qualified candidates should submit a resume via the application portal on the Korn Ferry website.
• Inquiries and nominations may be directed to: [email protected]

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