Executive Director

~ The Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) was established in 2009 with a mission to significantly grow the solar industry in Minnesota. ~

MnSEIA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association with over 100 Minnesota-based businesses and organizations in its membership. MnSEIA represents the business interests of its members and solar energy users to achieve its mission and goals, and it also coordinates with the U.S. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and other state SEIA affiliates as appropriate.

MnSEIA membership is comprised mainly of photovoltaic and thermal energy professionals and includes solar installers, vendors, developers, distributors, manufacturers, labor unions, law firms, advocacy organizations, educators, utilities, and more. MnSEIA promotes the use of solar energy that best serves the public interest to improve the environment for a sustainable future while creating family-supporting jobs.

When MnSEIA was formed, solar installations in Minnesota generated about 1.5 Megawatts of electricity. Today, there are over 850 Megawatts generated from solar installations. Minnesota has enjoyed the benefits that come from developing a two-plus billion-dollar state solar industry, with over 4,000 jobs. This result is due in large part to the policy efforts of MnSEIA and its allies that culminated in passage of Minnesota’s Solar Energy Jobs Act, which includes the Solar Energy Standard and a State goal to generate 10% of its energy from solar electricity by 2030. The industry faces consistent challenges to maintain its healthy pace of growth in Minnesota and to maintain the State policies and Federal incentives that allow solar to flourish in this new era of clean energy adoption.

Position Overview

The Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) Executive Director ensures continued growth and prosperity in Minnesota for the trade association’s membership, and for the trade association itself. This job is based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.

Responsibilities

Duties shall include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure the integrity, viability and sustainability of the organization generally
• Implement MnSEIA’s strategic planning and execute directives in conjunction with the MnSEIA Board of Directors
• Handle accounting and other fiduciary matters, like payroll and taxes
• Direct and develop the long-term planning for the association
• Set up Board of Directors meetings
• Set up MnSEIA member meetings
• Lead public relations, lobbying, and advocacy efforts at the Minnesota Legislature, executive branch agencies, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, and in the broader community
• Manage and direct the Policy Director, Development Director, Communications Director, Conference Planner, contract lobbyists, and other staff
• Make hiring and firing decisions relating to other staff members
• On legal issues, work in conjunction with the General Counsel to ensure successful and low liability outcomes for the association
• Spearhead specific initiatives on an as-needed basis
• Serve as lead coordinator in obtaining funding and grant opportunities and the addition of new members and Gateway Conference sponsors, in conjunction with the Development Director
• Support the Communications Director's lead in developing and coordinating internal and external communication strategies
• Administer the Gateway Conference with an emphasis on both programming and gaining sponsors and speakers, in conjunction with the full team
• Perform with or without reasonable accommodation light office supply lifting (up to 20 pounds); long periods of sitting and standing; work with laptop computers and printers; MnSEIA website work; travel to and from meetings and events
• The Executive Director’s performance is measured by the MnSEIA Board of Directors to ensure the MnSEIA Strategic Plan is successfully executed.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload your CV with contact information, a letter of interest and any other appropriate documentation to Liz Lucente by May 31, 2018. We look forward to hearing from you!