Executive VP of Sales and Marketing

~ Third Sun Solar is one of the region's oldest and most trusted solar company and has been designing and installing high-performance solar energy systems since 2000. ~

Our fully trained and NABCEP certified solar professionals ensure that our customers get high performing, reliable, and safe installations.

Third Sun Solar founder Geoff Greenfield serves on the NABCEP Board of Directors, and the company has been on the INC list of fastest growing companies five years in a row.

In 2014 we were ranked by Solar Power World's list of the Top 400 solar contractors as #135 nationally and #1 in Ohio. We are a member of the AMICUS Purchasing cooperative, providing not only a procurement advantage, but access and collaboration with a network of the very best solar installation companies in the country. 

Position Overview

 For 15 years Third Sun Solar has been "doing well while doing good," and we are looking for a proven sales leader who is as excited about clean energy and using business as a force of good as we are.

The cost of solar has dropped substantially, making solar an economic decision as well as an environmental one. While still on the cusp of "mainstream" in most of the country, the solar industry is entering a hyper growth era as more and more people take advantage of this smart, reliable and attractive technology to power their homes, businesses, farms and buildings.

Our company is filled with passionate people, dedicated to our mission and to each other. As a certified B-Corp, we measure success with a "triple bottom line" (People, Planet, Profit) and are confident that this is not just the "right" thing to do but provides powerful business advantages as well. We are looking for a candidate that "gets this", is driven by our company mission (to accelerate the shift to clean energy), and wants to be part of a fun, passionate and high performance team.

Our brand is built on our reputation for providing "the experience of a trusted partner". We use a consultative, no pressure approach to serve residential, commercial, agricultural and governmental clients in the Midwest.

We are entering a period of rapid growth and geographic expansion, and are seeking a leader to drive this growth. Relocation to Ohio is NOT a requirement, as our existing team is geographically dispersed and already using virtual collaboration with periodic travel to collaborate. 

Third Sun Solar has a sterling reputation and strong operational capacity to deliver projects, but has an under-developed sales and marketing department based on its history of being a market leader passively serving a market of early adopters. We are now positioned for dynamic growth and are preparing to meet the increased demand for solar energy as more and more of the nation crosses the tipping point where solar costs less than fossil fueled electricity.

A Director of Growth (equivalent to an Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing) is sought to architect and lead the firm's growth strategies in new and existing markets. This is an outstanding opportunity for a passionate sales leader with significant experience and proven successes in solar or a similar industry.

Reporting Structure

The Director of Growth will report directly to the President and be a member of the Executive Leadership Team. This person is also expected to interface with other management, the CEO, and Board of Directors.

Responsibilities

The Director of Growth develops and directs all sales and marketing activity in the organization inclusive of but not limited to the following:

• Growing sales and profitability of Third Sun Solar by entering new geographic markets and increasing revenues in existing markets. 
• Strategic planning and company leadership as member of the Executive Team.
• Developing metrically driven sales priorities and tracking progress within the existing systems of Third Sun Solar.
• Developing and articulating a sales and marketing vision and rallying the sales force behind that vision. 
• Providing detailed and accurate sales forecasting.
• Defining and overseeing sales staff compensation and incentive programs that motivate the sales team to achieve their sales targets.
• Creating a culture of success and ongoing business and goal achievement.
• Maintaining and enhancing the culture and core values of Third Sun Solar and Third Sun Solar's superior customer satisfaction ratings.
• Developing tools to demonstrate quantifiable value propositions to clients based on their individual needs and situations. 
• Developing and managing a channel partner system of outside agents to generate new opportunities, group purchase and affinity marketing programs.
• Being accountable for individual strategic sales, profitable sales growth and meeting targeted monthly and annual goals.
• Being able to accurately assess the performance and fit of team members and be willing to make changes as necessary.
• Recruiting, hiring, coaching, development and team building of a rapidly growing sales and marketing division. Become known as an employer of choice and a sales force that top sales people want to join.
• Improving and generating new marketing materials and collaterals, lead marketing-related event planning and tactics, earned media, social marketing advertising, sponsorships, etc.
• Promoting the highest quality image of Third Sun Solar with employees, customers, vendors and the community.
• Maintaining awareness of developing marketing strategies and industry trends. 
• Maintaining focus on company growth objectives with a goal of maintaining/achieving a superior position in the industry.
• Development, documenting and continuously improving the full life cycle of company business development, from lead generation to ongoing referral cultivation.
• Developing the sales training curriculum and materials that enable the growth team to achieve their potential and support company sales objectives.
• Leveraging and improving the use of company CRM system (SalesForce) for customer service, process efficiency, sales growth, marketing platform and as a performance KPI dashboard. 

Qualifications  

Minimum Qualifications  

• Minimum 5 years of a successful track record of sales leadership experience.
• Four year college degree. MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Ability to work well in a flexible, "roll up your sleeves" and dynamic work environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Successful track record of building and growing sales and profitability in a service, project delivery, or similar solutions focused business.
• Proven track record of creating and executing high growth strategies within a region as well as the ability to enter new geographic regions and markets. 
• Must be highly proficient with Word, Powerpoint, Excel and CRM systems. (SalesForce and web development experience a plus).
• Must be highly proficient with the use of analytics for sales coaching as well as marketing campaign evaluation. 
• Experience developing and executing marketing strategies, generating copy as well as selecting and managing outside agencies cost effectively. 
• Demonstrated creative problem solving and analytical skills.
• Regular travel for in-person meetings with team, customers and partners.

Desired Traits 

• Strong fit with Third Sun Solar's culture and clean energy mission, as well as an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. 
• Entrepreneurial spirit and instincts. Highly self-motivated; able to operate autonomously in a dynamic environment.
• Desire to stay on the leading edge of the solar and renewable energies industry.
• Solar, electrical, or construction experience is not required, but success will require developing a working knowledge and expertise in these areas. 
• Customer focused mindset; experience working directly with customers with a wide range of professional sophistication.
• Existing relationships with purchasing and operations decision makers at A+ clients.
• Strategic acumen to identify and plan for the capabilities and talent needed to support Third Sun Solar's aggressive growth plan. 
• Proficient in RFP and formal bid interpretation and response.
• Excellent salesmanship, communication and interpersonal skills; a consummate networker. Ability to interface with colleagues and customers at all levels, by virtue of professional competence, integrity and personal style.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and enable open, transparent and effective dialog with customers and Third Sun Solar employees.
• Ability to lead by example, mentor and coach co-workers and develop existing sales and marketing staff.
• Drive, motivation, passion and an exceptional personal work ethic; ability to uphold the highest possible ethical and professional standards.
• Familiarity with financing conventions applicable to solar PV projects in U.S. markets, with working knowledge of structural elements typically employed in those projects a plus.
• Professional experience in a private sector and government contracting environment a plus.
• Experience in solar, construction, or an engineering-related industry a plus.

Additional Information

Third Sun Solar has served the Ohio Market historically, but has successfully delivered projects in all surrounding states as well as Texas, Florida and Louisiana. We are recruiting this position as part of a geographic expansion, initially focusing on PA and Western NY.

We are a NYSERDA (NY grant program) registered installer and also hold a MATOC contract with the Army Corps of Engineers, allowing us to pursue Federal projects on bases across the country.

In addition to our core business of providing design/build solar services, we have established Newtility Energy Finance, a sister company dedicated to project financing and asset management.

Formed in 2012, Newtility Energy Finance owns and operates multiple solar power plants selling energy to hosts through PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements). Newtility is also focused on financing energy efficiency, lighting and other energy related projects, and has a completed LED lighting shared savings project agreement. This in-house financing capacity is a company differentiator and a strong advantage for the Sales and Marketing Team.

More than anything else, our success is based on a strong value proposition, excellent customer service and customers spreading the word about us to their friends, colleagues and neighbors. Third Sun Solar is a certified B-Corp, reflecting our commitment to operating as a triple bottom line company focused on People, Planet and Profit. Our mission is to "Accelerate the Shift to Clean Energy", and we are proud that our passion, dedication, and expertise shine through as we help our customers achieve their solar goals. 

Compensation and Benefits 

Third Sun Solar offers a workplace that is casual, upbeat and hard working. Third Sun Solar is prepared to provide a very attractive compensation package to the right candidate. In addition, when the chosen candidate has demonstrated success at Third Sun Solar, the Board will consider granting the candidate the ability to buy-in to equity and stock options that can create significant wealth if growth plans are achieved. 

• Compensation commensurate with experience: base/commission structure.
• Executive team profit sharing program (tied to gross and net)
• 50% premium match healthcare
• Simple IRA retirement with employer match up to 3%.
• Paid vacation, holidays and personal days
• Discounts and promotions for employee purchased solar system
• An office is available, but relocation to OH is not required