Chief Administrative Officer
Company: Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF)
Location: Fort Pierce, FL
Job Function: Administrative/Operations/IT
Background
SELF is a national award-winning non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a mission to rebuild and empower underserved communities by providing access to affordable and equitable capital to homeowners, landlords, developers, contractors, and small businesses to help transition communities towards an inclusive clean energy economy. Founded in Florida, SELF has expanded and now serves most of the Southern United States. Due in part to the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, there is historically unprecedented momentum toward clean energy and home resilience. As the country’s first local Green Bank, and an established and proven pioneer of climate equity, there is need for SELF to lead this national movement. At SELF, we are committed to leveraging the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to drive impactful change in underserved communities. Through strategic investments, we will advance clean energy initiatives, enhance energy efficiency, and support equitable community development.
Summary
This is an opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role at SELF – an organization that sits on the cutting edge of climate and energy-related solutions and that has embarked upon a period of explosive growth. Therefore, the SELF CAO’s vision and operational excellence will drive our mission to empower underserved communities through clean energy financing. As the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), you will optimize administrative, financial, and operational functions and implement innovative solutions that elevate SELF’s impact and sustainability. Partnering closely with the CEO and executive team, you will ensure seamless alignment of strategic objectives across departments, foster a high-performance culture, and steer initiatives that solidify SELF’s position as a national leader in clean energy and climate resilience. In this transformative role, you will enhance organizational efficiency, ensure compliance with nonprofit and CDFI regulations, support SELF’s growth and sustainability, and support SELF’s expansion goals. Your leadership will inspire collaboration and excellence throughout the organization, while your insights will shape the long-term success and impact of our programs. This is an opportunity to not only manage operations but also be an architect of growth, innovation, and meaningful change for thousands of individuals.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Operational Management: Collaborate with the CEO and leadership team to develop and implement strategic plans. Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring alignment with SELF’s mission and long-term vision. Develop and optimize organizational policies, processes, and systems to improve efficiency.
Organizational Development: Lead organizational development and work with HR leadership to ensure adequate structure for growth. Foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organization.
Governance and Compliance: Ensure compliance with federal and state nonprofit regulations, CDFI certification, and legal requirements, and manage Board relations by preparing reports and documentation for board meetings and strategic decisions.
Administrative Management: Oversee organizational operations, collaborating with the CFO to support financial reporting and ensure resource optimization, leverage innovative technology solutions to enhance operational scalability, and lead marketing, community engagement, fundraising initiatives, and grant-writing efforts.
Risk and Facilities Management: Drive the development and execution of comprehensive operational risk management strategies, ensuring proactive identification, assessment, and mitigation of organizational risks. Provide strategic oversight to ensure facilities and resources support overall risk management goals, aligning with operational priorities and compliance standards.
Program and Impact Evaluation: Oversees the Reporting and Impact Team and ensures effective reporting and program effectiveness, using data-driven insights and performance metrics to measure the social and environmental impact of SELF’s initiatives. Works with IT and Reporting Director on the refinement of metrics to track success and inform future program development.
Technology and Innovation: Lead strategic oversight and innovation of SELF’s technology ecosystem, driving secure, scalable financial services and operational excellence through cutting-edge solutions that enhance financial performance and customer experience while overseeing IT support, fintech operations, marketing and communications, office administration, internal communication systems, CRM, and reporting for internal and
external stakeholders.
Requirements
- 10+ years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit administration, CDFI, or related
financial sectors, with success in managing complex organizations and driving strategic growth
leveraging technology - Expertise in management tools to achieve efficiencies and scale using technology such as
CRM, ERPs, and other management systems. Able to implement processes to improve
internal efficiencies and communication channels - Proven leadership skills with a strong track record of fostering cross-departmental
collaboration, operational excellence, and measurable improvements in efficiency, impact,
and financial sustainability - In-depth working knowledge of nonprofit and CDFI regulatory requirements, including IRS,
and relevant state and federal government regulations, with demonstrated ability to maintain
compliance and mitigate risk - Strong communication, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to
navigate complex stakeholder relationships, including board members, funders, regulators,
and staff - Deep knowledge and hands-on experience with lending institutions, including a strong
understanding of fintech platforms and related technologies - Expertise in growth management, structural organization, performance management, legal
compliance, and fostering a positive, high-performance workplace culture
Compensation and Benefits
SELF provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits; and a 403(b)-retirement plan with up to 5% match; performance-based bonuses; 12 paid holidays; a minimum of 21 days of paid leave; and paid leave to volunteer something SELF is passionate about.
How to Apply
Email Wayne Knight