JOB TITLE: Program Coordinator- Business Development
LOCATION: Calgary or Edmonton, or Remote in Alberta

One position will be filled from this recruitment

Alberta Ecotrust Foundation
Alberta Ecotrust is a registered charity created through a unique partnership between the corporate sector and the environmental community in 1991. Leading boldly ever since, our programs have expanded to build bridges across sectors, communities, and cultures, focus on solutions and skills, and financially support hundreds of high-impact environmental organizations, programs and projects across Alberta. 

We increasingly utilize a co-benefits approach to ecosystem challenges, looking for outcomes that also include cleaner air, job creation in new economies, public health benefits, and energy-efficient affordable housing. Beyond grants, we are mobilizing and financing pathways to a sustainable, low-carbon future. Our environmental priorities include:

• Nature-based Solutions & Conservation

• Climate Resilience & Emissions Reduction

• Circular Economy

Alberta Ecotrust respectfully acknowledges that our programs are delivered across the province of Alberta, comprising Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8 territory, the traditional lands of First Nations and Métis Peoples. We increasingly utilize a multi-solving approach to ecosystem challenges and pathways to a low-carbon future and are committed to creating a safe, warm and welcoming environment for all people interested in applying for our positions.

Program Coordinator - Business Development
The Program Coordinator - Business Development plays a key role on Alberta Ecotrust Foundation’s Programs Team in supporting the tactical operations of the retrofit accelerator (RA) and buildings team.  

The RA is a new development that will serve as a Centre of Excellence for industry that strengthens the public, private, and civic capacities for deep energy retrofits in Calgary, Edmonton and throughout Alberta. Over the next few years, the RA will be deployed in partnership and collaboration with industry, government, and other key stakeholders. Over the long term, it is our vision that the RA will be a catalytic, amplifying member of the Alberta-based ecosystem of actors and community of practice that exchanges knowledge of how to accelerate the adoption of deep energy retrofits. The buildings team also consists of the Emissions-Neutral Building Information Exchange (ENBIX). ENBIX is a collaborative initiative of Alberta Ecotrust that brings the building industry together to share knowledge, build capacity, and support building and renovation practices across Alberta.

We are looking for someone who is a passionate advocate for climate solutions, green buildings, and industry. All team members at Alberta Ecotrust care deeply about securing resources for environmental and climate solutions, love to work across sectoral boundaries, and are committed to thinking outside the box in finding collective solutions to complex and urgent challenges. 

Your goal in this position is to support the implementation of the RA specifically through (1) developing relationships with financing providers to enable our team to evaluate various financial models for retrofit implementation, and (2) generating leads for program participants in MUSH (Municipalities, Universities, Schools and Hospitals), MURB (Multi Unit Residential Building), and commercial building sectors that will identify and undertake retrofits. The position will involve working closely with the Investment Specialist who utilizes financial acumen, deep knowledge of urban climate solutions, and expertise in retrofit financing, to help achieve the mandate of the retrofit accelerator and Alberta Ecotrust Foundation. This position will also involve working closely with our Communications Team to ensure key messaging about the program is being delivered externally, as well as working closely with the Retrofit Accelerator Team to pass over leads generated for the program. The position will also support other business development needs of the ENBIX.

The position will also develop, monitor, continuously improve and report on the RA. Your role will help build capacity in the building industry to advance deep energy retrofits.

Applying your subject matter knowledge in deep energy retrofits, combined with your skills in business development, capacity building, facilitation, collaboration, financial analysis, program administration and reporting, your work will help build capacity and relationships across the sector.

This position is responsible for the following:

• Understanding of modernized infrastructure for project origination and opportunity identification in the affordable housing sector, MUSH and market-based MURBS sectors, and commercial building sector.

• Keep abreast of industry trends, policy changes, emerging technologies and financing mechanisms in retrofitting.

• High-level understanding of various financing options, including debt, equity, grants, and incentives, to optimize project financial structures.

• Engage with investors, financial institutions, and funding partners to secure partnerships for financing building retrofit projects.

• Prepare/present proposals, pitch decks, and other materials to inform external parties about the Retrofit Accelerator.

• Representing RA (and in turn Alberta Ecotrust) at public events and in programs and initiatives with partners, collaborators, and building owners.

• Engage with building owners to understand their specific business case for retrofits and uncover the hidden value for clients.

• Generating leads for the Retrofit Accelerator program and transfer of all relevant information to the Retrofit Coaches.

• Responsible for designing and implementing approaches to support equity, diversity and inclusion for the RA.

• Responsible for designing and implementing approaches to support Indigenous partners and communities in the RA.

• Participate in ongoing internal work at AEF on equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous communities and partners.

• Support administration and reporting related to external grants, and other Alberta Ecotrust reporting requirements.

• Research and continual environmental scanning to inform future programming.

• Collaborate with the Communications Team to help support, expand, and amplify their messaging related to deep energy retrofits.

• Collaborate with the Communications Team to synthesize, organize, and elevate various inputs and initiatives including (not limited to): training, events, podcasts, webinars, video content, case studies, studies, and general sector information.

• Establish and ensure effective CRM usage including use of communication and query tools for building marketing lists and crafting messaging for emails and text messaging platforms.

• Maintain accurate and complete files to ensure reporting is accurate and audit-ready. 

• Contribute ideas and expertise to strategic discussions.

• Execute business development activities of AEF buildings teams.

• Support the buildings team in ongoing operations. 

Skills and Expertise

You will directly report to the Retrofit Accelerator Sr. Program Manager and you will frequently collaborate with the Retrofit Accelerator Team, and Communications Team as well as the rest of the Alberta Ecotrust team. Alberta Ecotrust’s head office is in Calgary, however, the successful candidate can be located in either Calgary or Edmonton, or potentially a remote placement.

A successful candidate will possess the following skills and expertise:

• Post-secondary education in environmental studies, energy management, engineering, business, finance, economics, public policy or a similar discipline.  

• 5 or more years of experience that include time managing complex, multi-year programs or projects, including planning, implementation, and evaluation.

• Experience and expertise with deep energy retrofits and emissions-neutral buildings. This includes past experience with construction management, energy auditing, building energy systems and energy management, retrofit planning, renovation and/or building design, and monitoring & verification of energy cost savings and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Experience related to these activities in one or more of the following building sectors: MUSH (Municipalities, Universities, Schools and Hospitals), MURB (Multi Unit Residential Building), and commercial buildings.

• Direct experience or general exposure to sales, business development, network development, event planning, capacity building, material or curriculum development, and webinar hosting.

• Financial acumen and understanding of the relevant metrics utilized in business case development in the field of energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, development, etc.

• A working knowledge of non-profit organizations and operations would be an asset.

• Excellent verbal and written communication and ability to translate complex concepts to support RA topics.

• Experience with sales or business development. 

• Excellent skills in pitching, information gathering, and relationship management.

• Attention to detail.

• Excellent administrative skills including organizing, meeting logistics, and committee communications.

• Familiarity with social innovation approaches and how to apply them for the purposes of improving outcomes.

Workplace Culture & Position Location

Alberta Ecotrust provides a flexible schedule and an inclusive, positive, and collaborative team culture. A hybrid model is employed at Alberta Ecotrust with flexible office hours combined with remote working.  Travel between Calgary and Edmonton and occasionally throughout the province will be required as part of this position.

In Calgary, we have a casual workplace in a heritage building with lots of meeting space, a full kitchen, great access to transit, local restaurants and the downtown core. In Edmonton, we have a co-working space for individual workspaces, meetings, and collaborative spaces when needed. Our staff are extremely motivated to make a difference, and you’ll be part of an innovative team that gets to do interesting, meaningful work aligned with their shared values and desire to improve the world. 

Remuneration
This is a full-time, 35-hour work week, one term position with an option to renew or transition to a permanent position if additional funding is secured with a competitive salary range of $60,000 - $75,000 per year, plus paid health benefits, three weeks vacation and a winter break closure. This position is eligible for the earned day off work schedule with a 7.5 hour day/37.5 hour work week to earn every third day off.

Application Accommodation

Alberta Ecotrust is an equal opportunity employer that strives to build a team that reflects the diversity of the community we work in and encourages applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as LGBTQ2SI, people with disabilities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. If we can make this easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing s.berry@albertaecotrust.com.

How to Apply

1. Submit your application to Alberta Ecotrust via our online recruitment system by midnight on January 26, 2025. 
2. Please provide a cover letter and resume via the online system.
3. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed three pages.
4. You must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
5. No relocation budget is provided.
   
   Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank everyone who applies. Deadline to apply is January 26, 2025.