JOB TITLE: SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST, RETROFIT ACCELERATOR

LOCATION: Calgary or Edmonton, or potential for remote placement

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.

Senior Financial Analyst

The Senior Financial Analyst plays a key role on Alberta Ecotrust Foundation’s Investment Team in supporting the operations of the retrofit accelerator (RA) coaching team.  

Your goal in this position is to support implementation of the RA specifically through supporting analysis related to financing strategies to undertake retrofit projects in MUSH (Municipalities, Universities, Schools and Hospitals), MURB (Multi Unit Residential Building), and commercial building sectors to identify and undertake retrofits.

The Senior Financial Analyst role utilizes financial acumen, and expertise in real estate and/or retrofit financing, to help achieve the mandate of the retrofit accelerator and Alberta Ecotrust Foundation. 

Working in a friendly and flexible team-based environment, the Senior Financial Analyst  knows and understands our charitable purpose and contributes to the values, vision and mission of Alberta Ecotrust Foundation.

Reporting directly to the Investment Director and working primarily on the Investments Team, the Senior Financial Analyst will also contribute to and support the work of the investment team.

This position is responsible for the following:

• Analyze trends, regulations, and technologies in the retrofitting sector.

• Assist the team in working  closely with energy services companies, project developers and stakeholders to structure financing solutions for building retrofit initiatives.

• Identify and evaluate various financing options, including debt, equity, grants, and incentives, to optimize project financial structures.

• Analyze, understand and clearly articulate offerings from various energy services companies and financing partners.

• Create detailed financial models to assess the economic feasibility of retrofit projects, considering factors such as ROI, payback periods, and cash flow projections.

• Support the team in conducting thorough financial due diligence on potential investment opportunities.

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

• Prepare investment proposals, pitch decks, and other materials to attract and negotiate terms with potential investors.

• Identify and analyze financial risks associated with building retrofit projects.

• Develop risk mitigation strategies and work closely with project teams to ensure effective implementation.

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

• Create a cheat sheet of financing considerations and options for various stakeholders including construction partners.

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

• Contribute ideas and expertise to strategic discussions
  

Skills and Expertise

You will report directly to the Director, Investments, and you will frequently collaborate with the Retrofit Accelerator 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:

• Excellent verbal and written communication and ability to translate complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand cheat sheets.

• Experience/good aptitude for various software and other technologies. 

• Excellent skills for data reduction, analysis and presentation.

• Attention to detail.

• Excellent financial skills including the ability to research, perform financial analysis, understand financial statements, create financial models and  

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

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

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field is preferred. 

• Must have 3-5 years’ experience in real estate finance or similar field. 

• Experience in  financial modeling, deal structuring, capital budgeting and/ or energy financing solutions, preferably in the real estate (e.g., real estate developers, REITs etc.) or sustainable development sector or sell-side investment banking is an asset.

• Understanding of building retrofit technologies, energy efficiency, and sustainable finance is an asset.

• Excellent negotiation and communication skills to liaise with diverse stakeholders, investors, and financial institutions.

• Familiarity with governmental incentives, grants, and subsidy programs related to retrofit financing and/ or sustainable development is an asset.

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 with 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 temporary position (till 31st March 2027) with a 35-hour work week, a competitive salary of $70,000-$85,000 per year, commensurate with experience, plus paid health benefits, three weeks vacation, and a Christmas break. The position is eligible for a 37.5-hour work week, where the employee will work 7.5 hours a day to earn every third Friday off with pay. The position can be extended depending on funding availability for the retrofit program.

How to Apply

1. Submit your application to Alberta Ecotrust via our online recruitment system by midnight on October 18, 2024. 

2. Please provide a cover letter and resume via the online system.

3. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed four pages.

Alberta Ecotrust is an equal opportunity employer that strives to build a team that reflects the diversity of the community we work in and encourage 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  n.ludwig@albertaecotrust.com.