Associate, Project Finance

JOB OVERVIEW

The Project Finance Associate (PF Associate) is a key member of the Project Finance team. The Project Finance team is charged with underwriting and monetizing portfolios of renewable energy projects originated and developed by Forefront Power. Deal flow includes structuring funds and completing financings with equity investors, debt lenders, and tax investors/buyers to hold and operate projects for long-term ownership, as well as selling portfolios (M&A). The successful candidate will join a fast-moving team and have the opportunity to grow with a dynamic and evolving deal and asset-type  mandate. The PF Associate directly assists the team in analyzing and closing the sale and financing transactions that monetize our portfolios. This position will also support the Project Finance team in various analytical needs, including  internal pricing and underwriting. The PF Associate will use analytic, problem solving and financial modeling acumen to structure creative solutions that help our business grow in the rapidly expanding and evolving US renewable and clean energy market. 

JOB LOCATION AND REPORTING TO

This position will ideally be based in our San Francisco office, though with the possibility to be remote for an exceptional candidate.  Currently, ForeFront Power is operating with a hybrid office-remote model. The Project Finance Associate will report to the Senior Manager or Manager of Project Finance and, in addition to the Project Finance team, will interact directly with the Commercial/Sales, Legal, Project Development, Project Execution, Corporate Finance, and Asset Management teams at ForeFront Power, and externally with deal counterparties and consultants.  The Associate role, compared to the Analyst role, is more independent based on experience and starting capability, with an expectation to support and coach an Analyst level role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support internal Commercial/Sales and Development and Execution teams in developing, running, and updating revenue agreement pricing models and associated financial analysis based on current monetization options, as well as other relevant analysis such as credit underwriting, to support project origination and development.
• Proactively support Project Finance team in all aspects of driving project finance transactions and portfolio sales processes to close, from initial marketing phase through term sheet negotiation, complex deal contract structuring, internal approvals and reporting, regular tranching of portfolio projects post initial fund close, and overall fund management.
• Interface closely with internal Commercial/Sales, Corporate Finance, Development, Execution, Legal and Asset Management teams to help guide projects forward quickly and efficiently to successful monetizations.
• Conduct highly complex and detailed financial modeling, compiling asset economics and projections, and presentations for internal stakeholders, including Corporate Finance and quarterly board meetings.
• Directly engage in and support Project Finance team’s interactions with third-party counterparties, customers, and consultants in a professional manner.
• Lead on detail-oriented organization and maintenance of project documentation and data rooms for diligence by investors and lenders
• Support policy and regulatory analysis (especially concern US Federal tax incentives) to support critical path underwriting and project financings.
  

QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who want to be part of a fast-paced and fluid company poised for growth in one of the country’s most rapidly changing industries.

Forward-thinking, innovative approaches and comfort with complexity are what define the ForeFront Power team. We are looking for individuals eager to run at the front with us.

• Bachelor's or advanced degree with high academic achievement
• Minimum two years and preferably three or more years relevant project finance experience, preferably with focus in solar or another clean energy field
• Desire to support a high-energy, lean team in a demanding, time-sensitive and transactional function (it’s exciting!), and to work in a growing distributed generation company in the renewable energy field
• Advanced Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills - relevant experience and capability in complex and detailed financial modeling in Excel a must
• Ability to perform and deliver accurate financial and data analysis on timely basis, and concisely report findings to key stakeholders, proactively managing to deliverable timelines inside in a highly detail-oriented environment, including ability to collect accurate data inputs in a cross-functional, multi-stakeholder environment 
• Familiarity with construction debt, term debt, and/or tax credit transaction structures 
• Familiarity with renewable energy policies at federal and state levels
• Willingness to coach and mentor junior analysts, while continuing to learn and develop one’s own skillset
• Excellent communication skills in both oral and written English for various target audiences
• Self-motivated and strong work ethic with the ability to proactively manage diverse relationships and multiple, complex projects simultaneously
• Exceptional project management and time-management skills to balance multiple high priority items at once and deliver on-time/as needed
• Potential to be creative, flexible, and think critically in tackling a variety of challenges, from the industry level to counterparty-specific issues
• Positive, team-oriented attitude, considerate and professional at all times, with desire and willingness to learn 
• Spanish language fluency is also a plus (though not required) to support our business in Mexico 
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position is primarily sedentary in nature and requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk in front of computer. The Project Finance Department believes in and actively seeks to support reasonable work/life balance, however we also encounter short term imbalances, sometimes significant.  Long hours will be needed from time to time as dictated by transaction and other deadlines. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE

The organization promotes an open and collaborative work atmosphere. Cross functional teams work closely together to solve problems and move the company forward. Our culture at ForeFront Power encourages employees to be authentic and to embrace our core values that celebrate passion for our work, a commitment to our planet, a winning attitude, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a community of respect for each other and our partners.

BENEFITS

This is a regular, full-time position eligible for benefits.  We offer a comprehensive benefits package including competitive base salary and bonus potential; health, vision, and dental coverage; commute assistance; professional development; Paid Time Off; and 401(k) with employer match.

ABOUT FOREFRONT POWER

ForeFront Power is a leading developer of commercial and industrial-scale (C&I) solar energy and battery storage projects in the U.S. and Mexico, also offering vehicle fleet electrification services. Over 15 years of working together, the ForeFront Power team has developed more than 1,900 behind-the-meter and community solar projects, totaling more than 1.6 gigawatt-DC of renewable electricity. ForeFront Power serves business, government, education, healthcare and community solar customers with a broad array of development, asset management and advisory services from its San Francisco headquarters and via teams based in New York, Mexico City, and across the U.S. through a hybrid work model.

A wholly owned subsidiary of global energy infrastructure and investment leader Mitsui & Co. Ltd., ForeFront Power operates under Mitsui’s North American investment arm, MyPower Corp. Mitsui holds a robust balance sheet and an “A” credit rating from Standard & Poor’s.

ForeFront Power is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity of thought, gender, and race. We believe our continued success depends upon the equal treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, military or veteran status, pregnancy, or any other classification protected by country, federal, state, or local law.