Working Title: Executive Director
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Principal
Agency: Climate Innovation Finance Authority
Job ID : 96979
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 09/18/2026
Closing Date : 10/8/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Climate Innovation Finance Authority / Managerial
Division/Unit : Climate Innovation Finance Authority
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - Up to 20% of the time
Salary Range: $50.04 - $71.75 / hourly; $104,483 - $149,814 / annually
Classified Status : Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager
FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority (MnCIFA) seeks an entrepreneurial and highly strategic leader to serve as Executive Director to provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership for MnCIFA. MnCIFA is a state agency created in state law in 2023 as a clean energy financing authority, commonly known in other states as a "green bank." MnCIFA serves Minnesota through innovative financing to support our state's clean energy economy. Our lending fills gaps in green financing and leverages private, nonprofit and public investments to advance clean energy projects benefiting communities across our state.
We offer a hybrid work environment with three (3) days per week in office and two (2) days of teleworking. Telework can be outside of the state of Minnesota if the candidate lives in a state bordering Minnesota and lives 50 miles or less from the primary work location. Primary work location will be the Golden Rule Building in downtown St. Paul.
The Executive Director is responsible for planning and executing MnCIFA's investment strategy, business development, project financing, statutory compliance, staff management, and outcomes reporting to ensure MnCIFA's resources deliver measurable climate, economic and community benefits. The position is hired by and reports to the MnCIFA Board of Directors, whose 13 members are appointed by the Governor. Duties will include:
Strategic management:
Lead planning and execution of financing projects that advance the state's clean energy goals to reduce carbon, build resilient communities and advance equity in clean energy;
Actively engage with community leaders and organizations in the private, nonprofit and public sectors to ensure equitable access and deployment of green financing, particularly for historically underserved communities.
Financial management:
Lead business development and cultivate strong partnerships to initiate and finance projects with financial institutions, developers, utilities, Tribes, community organizations, governmental agencies, clean-tech innovators and philanthropic investors.
Develop and execute MnCIFA's investment strategy, leveraging innovative financing products and tools to maximize clean energy impacts statewide.
Operational management:
Oversee all agency operations, including budgets, strategic plans, personnel management, statutory and policy compliance, procurement, audits, and reporting;
Collaborate with and support the Board of Directors, keeping directors fully informed of strategic plans, milestones, risk factors, and portfolio management.
Minimum Qualifications
Five (5) years of high-level strategic, financial, operational management and leadership experience that includes:
Demonstrated strategic, financial and operational experience in setting organizational objectives, leading strategic and financial planning, and effectively managing operations.
Experience in developing and executing projects that involve working with diverse groups of stakeholders, establishing outcomes and objectives, meeting deadlines, and measuring and reporting results.
Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience, organizational and interpersonal skills to direct, develop, and engage staff.
*Leadership experience can include experience as a supervisor, lead worker, team lead, project lead, or completion of a State of Minnesota leadership program (e.g., ELI or SLI) or comparable leadership program.
A Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability, or a related field is equivalent to one (1) year of experience. An Advanced degree in Business or Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability or a related field is equivalent to eighteen (18) months of experience.
Applicants who meet the above education/experience requirements will be further evaluated on the following:
Financial experience, specifically in fiscal and asset management, including developing budgets, allocating limited resources and managing finances.
Experience in loan portfolio management, or government finance and investment, or infrastructure project financing.
Management experience in State, Tribal, Federal, or local government, or a relevant private sector or nonprofit setting (such as banking or clean energy).
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in upper management in a State Tribal, Federal or local government, or in a relevant private sector setting.
Experience in the development, financing, deployment, and management of clean energy resources and energy-related climate mitigation initiatives.
Experience advancing equitable outcomes that benefit environmental justice and historically underserved communities.
Experience analyzing financial data and ensuring compliance with legal and statutory requirements, including federal and state regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of state policies, statutes, and regulations governing Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority.
Knowledge of National Green Bank opportunities, models and associated financing approaches.
Physical Requirements
Requires occasional moving of articles such as boxes, accounting records, laptop computer, and portable printer.
Additional Requirements
Job offer is contingent upon passing reference checks to verify job-related credentials, a criminal background check and drivers' license check prior to appointment.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
