Chief Executive Officer

About Novara Energy Alliance

Energy and water systems are changing fast. Demand is rising. Resources are diversifying. Extreme weather is testing infrastructure. Novara Energy Alliance (https://www.novaraenergyalliance.org) brings people, ideas and investment together to solve the Inland Northwest’s most pressing energy and related water challenges—turning innovation into real-world solutions that are resilient, affordable and built to scale.

Our vision is energy innovation for thriving communities.

We bring together industry, government, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and communities to: plan for an interconnected energy and water future; turn innovation into impact—and scale what works; and position the region as a national leader in solving energy challenges.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is the key management leader responsible for the overall growth and continued success of Novara Energy Alliance. This executive will lead the execution of the organization’s Strategic Plan, serving as the chief executive, strategist and spokesperson for this newly formed energy innovation partnership. The CEO will embody the organization’s three core roles of Problem Solver, Bridgebuilder and Catalyst.

• Problem Solver: We align partners around shared priorities, remove barriers and create roadmaps that turn vision into action.
• Bridgebuilder: We connect research, innovation, and real-world deployment— bridging gaps between ideas and impact.
• Catalyst: We build momentum by elevating regional leadership, improving energy literacy, and attracting the funding and partnerships needed to scale success.

The CEO will build a collaborative platform where utilities, researchers, entrepreneurs and civic partners can test new ideas, share lessons and scale success across the Inland Northwest. Immediate Priorities for the Role:

• Complete preparation for Novara Energy Summit to be held October 2026.
• Stand up Novara Innovation Teams and build cadence for groups to meet regularly to address pressing energy problems.
• Strengthen and execute new fundraising and membership models to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Complete board and member recruitment in line with membership goals.
• Develop and launch a shared regional communications strategy to build broad awareness.

Key Responsibilities

The CEO will be responsible for leading the organization to achieve its four Strategic Commitments (https://novaraenergyalliance.org/about-us/strategy/):

Leadership and Strategy

(Plan for the Future)

• Translate mission into a clear, measurable strategic direction.
• Ensure efforts align with most pressing energy needs.
• Lead the 2026 Novara Energy Summit (and future Summits) including planning and execution and management of the existing Summit committee.
• Facilitate and drive collective prioritization and planning across the Inland Northwest energy ecosystem.
• Oversee Innovation Team workgroup(s) formation, ensuring unified leadership capable of supporting the strategic plan.

Financial Management and Resource Development

(Enable Innovation)

• Responsible for organizational fiscal management, ensuring maximum resource utilization and operating within the approved budget.
• Oversee budget, financial controls and fiscal health.
• Diversify and grow revenue streams.
• Ensure transparency and accountability.
• In close partnership with the Board, strengthen and execute the resource strategy.
• Act as a Catalyst to move partner energy projects from concept to impact by mobilizing resources, talent, technology and awareness.
• Guide and oversee grant applications and award administration.

Marketing and External Relations

(Share Our Energy Story & Drive Regional Vitality)

• Serve as the chief promoter and visionary spokesperson, establishing Novara as the leading voice of regional energy (and related water) innovation.
• Operate as a Bridgebuilder to connect, recruit and inspire partners in industry, entrepreneurs, government, capital, academia and communities.
• Accelerate the energy transformation by supporting technology development phases including research, bench scale prototypes and pilot projects.
• Foster partnerships and inspire community involvement to build a supportive network for energy transformation.
• Build a shared culture of storytelling to consistently express what the organization does and why it matters.

Operations and Administration

• Serve as primary liaison to the Board.
• Support effective governance and compliance.
• Provide timely, accurate data for board decision-making.
• Ensure effective administration of the organization's operations.
• Execute against the Novara Energy Alliance mission consistent with the corporate values and guiding approaches.
• Directly hire and manage staff as the organization expands and oversee third-party contractors.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial, aspirational and visionary team leader, possessing the versatility to operate effectively in a small, high-impact organization. This individual is a transparent, gifted and engaging communicator, capable of speaking one-on-one and in front of a large audience. Key attributes include:

• Chief Mission Officer: Possessing a genuine, visible and infectious passion for the mission of energy innovation throughout the Inland Northwest, coupled with applicable business acumen.
• Collaborative Leader: A master Bridgebuilder with the capacity to connect with people at all levels, someone with a relationship-centered approach who knows how to build membership and community support.
• Agile and Versatile: Able to be agile, proactive and responsive to market and technology changes. Someone who is well versed in change management.
• Connected: Enjoys getting to know members and member prospects. Values time out in community. Able to bring in new members, communicating the value of Novara to diverse audiences.
• Strategic Leader: Forward looking leader with strong capital acumen and a demonstrated ability to align investment, partnerships and funding strategies to implement transformational solutions.
• Resilience Focused: Committed to improving social, economic and environmental equity and resilience in communities, particularly around energy transformation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible executive experience in a leadership role with a mission-based organization.
• Direct experience in the energy, CleanTech, community and economic development sectors ideally with multi-sector partnerships and with a demonstrated expertise in public-private-academic partnerships as well as business to business partnerships
• Proven success in fundraising, organizational management, government relations and board relations.
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Existing regional connections to energy industry leaders, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and elected officials are desired.
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

Compensation

$150K - $175K depending on qualifications

Medical Stipend

Timeline

Application Deadline is Sunday, May 17th, at 5 p.m.

More Information

Visit our website to learn more about Novara

www.novaraenergyalliance.org

Please submit your application (available online), cover letter and resume to: Sarah@novaraenergyalliance.org

Careers – Novara Energy Alliance