Executive Director

Company Description REpowering Schools is a 501(c)(3) organization that collaborates with educators, the renewable energy industry, and national and state government initiatives to build a strong renewable energy workforce pipeline. The organization develops programs and opportunities that engage learners of all ages and backgrounds in renewable energy education and training. REpowering Schools is committed to fostering a diverse and sustained workforce by connecting schools, communities, and industry partners. Its work supports long-term career pathways in clean energy while advancing equity and inclusion in STEM and workforce development. The organization operates nationally and partners with stakeholders across sectors to scale impactful educational programs.

Position Overview

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief administrator and strategic leader of the

organization. The ED is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, ensuring financial

sustainability, managing staff and committees, and driving strategic growth and state-level

support. This role requires a dynamic leader who can effectively engage effectively with partners

and donors, manage board relations, execute robust communication and outreach, and secure

funding through grant writing and strategic partnerships with private and public sector

organizations.

The position is fully remote with some travel required to support implementation of programs.

Some expenses to support office space will be compensated. Although full time is preferred,

fractional time would be considered based on applicant circumstance.

Key Responsibilities

The ED will drive mission impact through long-term strategic planning and programmatic

oversight, mentoring staff and fostering relationships with key external stakeholders. In

coordination with the Board, the ED will spearhead development and fundraising initiatives to

ensure organizational sustainability while managing day-to-day operations, budgets, and project

implementation. Additionally, the ED will oversee internal and external communications and

lead reporting efforts by analyzing and presenting regular progress metrics and program

outcomes. Specific responsibilities include:

Planning and Development

• Strategic Planning: Lead the development and execution of long-term strategic goals

and plans to fulfill the organization's mission and expand its impact.

• Development: In concert with the Board and staff, create development goals to ensure

organization sustainability, in concert with the Board and staff, in to support of

organizational goals, Develop a fundraising plan, and execute with Board and staff

support and fundraise to achieve the goals.

• Programmatic Leadership: Provide oversight and mentorship of all organizational

programming in partnership with staff, partners, and funders.

• Strategic Partnerships: Identify, build, and maintain high-level relationships with

external stakeholders, industry leaders, state, federal, organizations,

universities/colleges, and peer organizations to advance mutual goals

Board Relations

• Board Management: Act as the primary liaison between staff and the Board of

Directors; facilitate regular communication, prepare draft agendas and materials for

board meetings, and assist in governance activities.

• Committee Management: Provide guidance, structure, and administrative support to

active board committees to ensure alignment with overall organizational priorities.

Staff Management

• Operational Oversight: Direct, mentor, and evaluate hourly and salaried staff members

to foster a collaborative and high-performing work culture.

• Management: Provide oversight, prioritization and implementation management of staff

to implement all organizational projects, workplans, and budget, and the staff to

implement these efforts.

• Timesheet Approval: Review and approve timesheets for hourly staff to ensure

accurate and timely payroll processing.

• Compensation Adjustments: Develop and present recommendations for staff

compensation adjustments, facilitating official Board approval before implementation of

full-time salaried staff adjustments.

Finances and Operations

• Budget Management: Develop annual operating budgets, monitor cash flow, track

expenses, and ensure the organization operates within its approved financial

parameters.

• Contracting:Oversee or implement organizational contracts and agreements
• Operations Oversight: Maintain organizational infrastructure, administrative policies,

and compliance standards to support efficient day-to-day productivity.

Communication & Outreach

• Messaging and Outreach Direction: Development, oversight and coordination of

organizational messaging and outreach strategy

Events and Networking: Represent the organization at industry events, conferences,

and networking functions.

• Public Speaking & Exposure: Serve as the primary spokesperson for the organization,

delivering presentations and speeches to elevate brand awareness and thought

leadership.

Fundraising and Development Oversight

• Strategic Donor Cultivation: Leverage industry contacts from the Board of Directors

and external networks to identify, research, and engage high-potential corporate funders

and sponsors.

• Pipeline & Lead Management: Oversee the fundraising pipeline, participating directly in

high-level follow-up actions and leading strategic exploratory calls with prospective major

sponsors.

• Sponsorship Renewal & Retention: Guide structured outreach campaigns to maintain

relationships with current sponsors, ensuring high renewal rates and long-term

organizational sustainability.

• Proposal or Grant Writing: Lead or support research, draft, and submit compelling

grant proposals to secure funding from foundations, government entities, and corporate

donors.

• Grant & Revenue Diversification: Research foundation grants and alternative funding

opportunities, providing strategic input and final review on all funding applications.

• Data & Progress Tracking: Ensure the rigorous maintenance of the donor and sponsor

database to accurately track fundraising metrics against organizational goals.

• Board Reporting: Develop comprehensive, at least quarterly fundraising reports to

present progress, insights, and strategic adjustments to the Board of Directors.

Key Qualifications & Competencies

Required Skills & Attributes

● Proven Executive or Senior Management: Demonstrated executive management

experience, preferably within a non-profit or relevant industry sector, including

fundraising, budget creation, financial forecasting, and fiscal management.

● Self-Motivated & Proactive: A driven leader who can anticipate organizational needs,

initiate new program strategies and can execute plans with minimal supervision.

● Highly Organized: Exceptional project management capabilities; proven ability to

manage multiple complex program timelines, budgets, and cross-functional teams

simultaneously.

● Excellent Communication Skills: Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills,

with the ability to authentically engage and persuade diverse audiences (students,

executives, donors, and community leaders).

● Collaborative Team Player: Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a

collaborative, fast-paced team environment that includes diverse internal and external

parties, fostering a culture of inclusivity and shared success.

● Passionate: Outgoing and engaging with a desire to make impactful generational

change in the renewable energy industry by engaging students, teachers and industry

leaders to co-create the future workforce of the U.S. renewable energy industry.

Experience & Education

Masters or other professional degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Business

Administration, Non-Profit Management, or a related field.

● 5–8 years of progressive experience in program management, non-profit leadership, or

educational administration.

● Experience collaborating directly with a Board of Directors or governance committee of

non or for-profit organizations.

● Strong track record in fundraising, grant acquisition and diversifying organizational

revenue streams in the profit or not-for-profit sectors.

● Direct experience within the clean or renewable energy industry is highly preferred. A

solid understanding of clean energy concepts, market trends, and stakeholder networks

will significantly accelerate success in this role.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive application package containing the

following elements:

● Contact Information: Full legal name, phone number, email address, and professional

portfolio links (e.g., LinkedIn).

● Cover Letter: A detailed letter outlining your relevant experience, leadership philosophy,

and why you are passionate about driving REpS programs forward.

● Professional Resume: Up-to-date resume detailing chronological employment history,

key programmatic achievements, and relevant certifications.

● References: Contact details for three professional references who can speak to your

project management and leadership capabilities.