• Hours: 0.8 FTE
• Status: Initially a 12 month contract
• Location: Remote / Flexible
• Salary: 0.8 FTE at a full time equivalent annual salary (including super) of $100,000 - 125,000. There is potential to consider alternative FTE loadings

ABOUT CORENA

Established in 2013, Citizens’ Own Renewable Energy Network Australian (CORENA) is a not-for-profit organisation that empowers individuals and communities to take climate action through implementing practical climate projects. This is achieved through a donations-based revolving fund, whereby CORENA provides interest free loans and project support to eligible organisations for effective climate projects such as solar PV, energy efficiency, getting off fossil gas and electric vehicles. The recipient organisation repays the loan from the savings generated by the climate project, replenishing the fund. To ensure maximal climate benefits, CORENA targets projects that otherwise wouldn’t happen (due to financing or implementation barriers), have strong carbon abatement metrics, economic repayment periods and contribute to supporting the energy transition.

CORENA’s revolving fund has proven its power with continued growth over the past 9 years. We have now funded over 40 projects ranging in size, value and climate impact from $5,000 to $100,000, with the fund continuing to grow year-on-year. CORENA is currently undergoing an exciting growth phase and we are looking for a Chief Operating Officer who is energised by CORENA’s mission to take on this key role within the organisation.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will manage CORENA’s day-to-day operations, develop and implement climate-related projects, contribute to CORENA’s strategic direction and establish and maintain partnerships with project beneficiaries and donors (including major donors). The COO will work closely with the CORENA Management Committee and Chair to enhance CORENA’s capabilities and grow CORENA’s impact. Specific responsibilities of the role include:

• Developing a project pipeline growth strategy (e.g. with larger NFPs and relevant peak bodies)

• Establishing project pipeline partnerships

• Coordinating technical review of projects (with Technical Advisor)

• Project management from EOI to installation (technical, commercial, operational coordination)

• Providing input to marketing materials and media releases

• Improving business systems, processes and procedures

• Day-to-day management of paid staff

• Management of volunteers as required

• Establishing and maintaining productive relationships with project beneficiaries, donors and project partners

• Approaching potential major donors / securing operational funding

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the CORENA committee

• Industry and local council outreach as required

• Contributing to annual and strategic planning

• Contributing to CORENA’s Annual Report

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The preferred candidate will have a passion for practical climate solutions and be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in a Technical, Legal or Business-related discipline

• A minimum of 10 years experience working in not-for-profit, government or private sector in project management , business development and/or operational roles

• Prior board or committee experience in not-for-profit sector (desirable)

• Experience in developing and managing technical projects from initiation to site implementation

• Knowledge of renewable energy systems (desirable)

• Experience implementing small scale climate infrastructure projects (desirable)

• Ability to understand and define project economics

• Experience analysing electricity bills

• Experience with modelling energy usage e.g. via Sunulator, Ecologic or similar tool (desirable)

• Experience in interpreting, establishing and managing commercial agreements (desirable)

• Experience in establishing, improving and maintaining business systems and processes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships within and external to CORENA

• Prior experience attracting organisational funding (desirable)

• Experience managing staff (desirable)

• Demonstrated numeracy and spreadsheet modelling skills (desirable)

BENEFITS

You will work with a team of talented and passionate people, empowering communities to take effective climate action. CORENA offers flexible work hours and the ability to work from a location of your choosing.

If you have any questions about the role, please send an email to Adam Karl, Projects Manager, via [email protected] using the subject line: COO enquiry via EthicalJobs.