ERSG USA are currently recruiting for a Finance/Commercial Director to work with a global renewable energy developer located in Jersey City, NJ.
Primarily an offshore wind developer with an extremely successful European operation, our client has established operations in North American to meet the expanding offshore wind commitment of states on the East and West Coasts.
They are therefore seeking a Finance/Commercial Director to manage the company's commercial and financial administration activities efforts for the company's offshore wind development plans in North America, especially related to finance, budgeting, accounting, tax, and economic assessments. The Finance/Commercial Director, who will work closely with the European finance, controlling, and accounting departments in Europe, will report to the US Managing Director.
Responsibilities:
* Manage the financial and commercial transactions associated with advancing our client's offshore wind project development activities in the U.S. * Work in close coordination with the finance and controlling teams at our client's European Head Office. * Oversee financial budgeting and controlling of the US division and further US subsidiaries. * Manage third-party financial vendor relationships, including accounting, tax, banking, insurance, and financial advisory, and ensure timely and accurate delivery of required accounting and operating reports, including cash flow and monthly forecasting, financial statements and reports, and all tax and government filings. * Oversee maintenance of thorough financial procedures and controls for the organization, including but not limited to accruals, staff payroll, invoices, and payments. * Manage joint ventures and/or other company subsidiaries as CFO and/or Board Member and assist in preparation and documentation of Board meetings, approvals, and decisions. * Lead all market analysis efforts, oversee economic benefit assessments and validation and cost benefit analyses, and review financial models in preparation of land lease auctions and PPA/OREC solicitations. * Support the review and negotiation of project agreements, debt financing, tax equity contribution, joint development and partnership agreements. * Provide support to origination and M&A teams as needed during acquisitions, sale processes, and PPA/OREC solicitations. * Manage project-level financial due diligence across various functional groups including EPC, O&M, asset management, transmission interconnection, real estate, permitting and environmental, and insurance. * Responsible for local maintenance of key relationships with banks, financial institutions and tax equity providers in coordination with the finance team at EnBW AG to ensure valuation is at the most competitive terms. * Responsible for renewable energy tax credit strategies, execution plans, and documentation/reporting. * Identify future financing strategies for the US market. Research and develop financing structures for renewable energy projects in coordination with the finance team, particularly offshore wind.
* Provide input for tax-equity financial models for new development projects, incorporating complex financing concepts and tax, accounting and ownership rules.
Required Education:
* Bachelor's Degree in in Business or Finance or Master's Degree in Finance, MBA, or CPA preferred.
Required Experience & Skills:
* A financial professional with 5-10 years of experience, either in project finance experience with a developer/investment firm or in accounting and controlling with an auditing/consulting firm; preferably with experience in the infrastructure, power, or renewable energy space. * Strong foundation in fund accounting and experience establishing financial reporting and systems, procedures, and controls. * Understanding of state solicitation methods for offshore wind procurement (e.g. OREC, PPA). * Knowledge and/or experience with energy markets, renewable technologies, the offshore wind industry, or other large clean energy development (preferred, not essential). * Experience in leading and closing transactions from either developer/owner or banking perspective. * Experience in execution of senior debt transactions across multiple markets. * Experience and knowledge in contracting, finance, and tax issues. * Ability to analyze and summarize complex development topics, aggregate decision-relevant information to convey messages clearly and concisely, and objectively develop, challenge, and verify conclusions. * Acting comfortably in cross-cultural teams, collaborating across country boundaries with a sense for diversity and inclusion. * Excellent verbal, written communication, analytical, and negotiation skills; * Ability to lead and manage multiple projects, work independently, and meet deadlines. * Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills. * Strong experience with common business software tools, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel). * Willingness to travel on a periodic basis, typically around Boston, New York, and New Jersey, and to Europe on occasion. * Willingness and ability to work in a start-up atmosphere.
Please Note: you must have authorization to work in the United States of America for any company in order to be eligible for this position. s
