Energy Due Diligence Lead (Consultant)

About Elemental Excelerator

Elemental Excelerator is on a mission to redesign the systems at the root of climate change. We are a leading nonprofit investor focused on scaling climate solutions and social impact for all communities. Elemental fills two fundamental gaps to addressing climate change: funding first-of-a-kind projects for climate technologies in real communities, and embedding equity and access into climate solutions.

As a nonprofit with over a decade of experience in scaling technologies, we are uniquely positioned to provide much-needed support and services to overcome the valleys of death to scale the technologies we need to address the climate crisis. Elemental has been innovating on the traditional investment model for more than a decade. We do more than simply write a check; we offer a full suite of hands-on services, support, coaching and introductions across the value stream to support growth and deployments. The organization has stood up a half-dozen programs to break down barriers to climate tech innovation through its robust portfolio, policy, equity & access, career pathways, investors/philanthropy and strategic partnerships.

About the role

Elemental is seeking an Energy Due Diligence Lead (Consultant) to support our portfolio team March through July 2023. In this role, you will manage a crew of Elemental team members across the Portfolio, Partnerships, and Equity & Access teams to evaluate energy startups applying to be a part of the Elemental portfolio. You will consider energy startups’ technology readiness, commercial viability, impact potential, and program alignment. This role will lead a dynamic and energized team within the organization that will ultimately guide the decision-making process for our final cohort selections and investments. This position will report to Gabriel Scheer, Director of Innovation managing the energy and mobility portfolio.

Key Responsibilities Include: 

Lead Due Diligence of Energy Startups

• Conduct independent review and score over 100+ applications from startups related to the energy sector
• Leverage industry expertise to evaluate technology readiness, commercial viability, and business opportunity of energy startups
• Conduct reference calls with startup investors and customers
• Collaborate with a team of 4-6 team members with various backgrounds to share insights and create investment decision recommendations
• Lead discussion with the Energy diligence team to make recommendations on startups aligned with Elemental’s mission and investment thesis
• Prepare and share key findings with Investment Committee for final decisions
  

About You
You are an energy expert who has worked at the intersection of energy technology, venture and social equity. You bring a collaborative attitude to decision-making and build open opportunities for different perspectives and opinions. You believe deeply in climate entrepreneurs and what they can do for the climate movement and you keep a pulse on the latest energy startups and trends shaping the energy industry.

You have a flexible schedule and can make time to meet and work with the Elemental due diligence team during the expected hours of engagement.

Qualifications (even if you don’t meet 100% of qualifications, we still encourage you to apply!)

Desired skills:

• Background as an industry leader in energy, particularly in renewable or clean power, energy efficiency, utility management and operations, energy storage or other technical field
• Understanding of social equity and justice implications in the energy sector
• Former experience with venture capital and due diligence or startup investing
• Flexibility, creativity, and comfort in a fast-paced environment
• High emotional intelligence and ability to build interpersonal relationships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Team management experience

Standout skills:

• Former experience working with startup support organizations such as incubators, accelerators, or investors
• Relationships with experts in the energy industry

Key Dates & Estimated Hours:

The consultant is expected to be most engaged during the following date periods (subject to change):

• Onboarding: March 13-24, 2023 (est. 5h)
• Round 1 Due Diligence: March 30 - April 10, 2023 (est. 35h)
• Round 2 Due Diligence: May 4 - 15, 2023 (est. 35h)
• Reference Calls: June 12 - 23, 2023 (est. 8h)
• Round 3 Interviews: May 25 - June 30, 2023 (est. 12h)
• Final Deliberation and Decisions: July 6 - 12, 2023 (est. 5h)

Compensation & Benefits

Elemental Excelerator offers a stipend based on the organization’s compensation philosophy, which is grounded in market data. This is a consulting position with variable hours depending on the due diligence schedule, with an estimated 100 hours over the course of the due diligence period (mid-March through mid-July 2023). Additional hours may be required pending the number of applications.

Other Details:

In the cover letter section, please send us a writing sample or project that demonstrates your understanding of the energy industry, including but not limited to: renewable or clean energy, energy efficiency, utility management, social justice implications in the energy sector. We are not asking you to produce something new and this should be something you've completed previously. Examples of the types of submissions we are looking for include: 

• 5-10 slide presentation
• Research paper or article or project summary

This is a fully remote role. Elemental has a hybrid working model, and this role will be expected to be available remotely during HQ working hours, typically Pacific Standard Time.

Elemental Excelerator is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and has a strong commitment to diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Candidates from the following group are especially encouraged to apply: Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC); members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities; people who have disabilities; people from low-income backgrounds; people who identify as nonbinary; and women.

We will accept and review applications on a rolling basis. Although all applications will be considered, we may be unable to respond to all inquiries.