Job Details

Working Title: Executive Director
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Principal
Agency: Climate Innovation Finance Authority

• Job ID: 96979
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 09/18/2026
• Closing Date: 10/8/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Climate Innovation Finance Authority / Managerial
• Division/Unit: Climate Innovation Finance Authority
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes - Up to 20% of the time
• Salary Range: $50.04 - $71.75 / hourly; $104,483 - $149,814 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities : No

Job Summary

Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority (MnCIFA) seeks an entrepreneurial and highly strategic leader to serve as Executive Director to provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership for MnCIFA. MnCIFA is a state agency created in state law in 2023 as a clean energy financing authority, commonly known in other states as a "green bank." MnCIFA serves Minnesota through innovative financing to support our state's clean energy economy. Our lending fills gaps in green financing and leverages private, nonprofit and public investments to advance clean energy projects benefiting communities across our state.

We offer a hybrid work environment with three (3) days per week in office and two (2) days of teleworking. Telework can be outside of the state of Minnesota if the candidate lives in a state bordering Minnesota and lives 50 miles or less from the primary work location. Primary work location will be the Golden Rule Building in downtown St. Paul.

The Executive Director is responsible for planning and executing MnCIFA's investment strategy, business development, project financing, statutory compliance, staff management, and outcomes reporting to ensure MnCIFA's resources deliver measurable climate, economic and community benefits. The position is hired by and reports to the MnCIFA Board of Directors, whose 13 members are appointed by the Governor. Duties will include:

Strategic management:

• Lead planning and execution of financing projects that advance the state's clean energy goals to reduce carbon, build resilient communities and advance equity in clean energy;
• Actively engage with community leaders and organizations in the private, nonprofit and public sectors to ensure equitable access and deployment of green financing, particularly for historically underserved communities.

Financial management:

• Lead business development and cultivate strong partnerships to initiate and finance projects with financial institutions, developers, utilities, Tribes, community organizations, governmental agencies, clean-tech innovators and philanthropic investors.
• Develop and execute MnCIFA's investment strategy, leveraging innovative financing products and tools to maximize clean energy impacts statewide.

Operational management:

• Oversee all agency operations, including budgets, strategic plans, personnel management, statutory and policy compliance, procurement, audits, and reporting;
• Collaborate with and support the Board of Directors, keeping directors fully informed of strategic plans, milestones, risk factors, and portfolio management.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Five (5) years of high-level strategic, financial, operational management and leadership experience that includes:

• Demonstrated strategic, financial and operational experience in setting organizational objectives, leading strategic and financial planning, and effectively managing operations.
• Experience in developing and executing projects that involve working with diverse groups of stakeholders, establishing outcomes and objectives, meeting deadlines, and measuring and reporting results.
• Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience, organizational and interpersonal skills to direct, develop, and engage staff.

*Leadership experience can include experience as a supervisor, lead worker, team lead, project lead, or completion of a State of Minnesota leadership program (e.g., ELI or SLI) or comparable leadership program.

A Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability, or a related field is equivalent to one (1) year of experience. An Advanced degree in Business or Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability or a related field is equivalent to eighteen (18) months of experience.

Applicants who meet the above education/experience requirements will be further evaluated on the following:

• Financial experience, specifically in fiscal and asset management, including developing budgets, allocating limited resources and managing finances.
• Experience in loan portfolio management, or government finance and investment, or infrastructure project financing.
• Management experience in State, Tribal, Federal, or local government, or a relevant private sector or nonprofit setting (such as banking or clean energy).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in upper management in a State Tribal, Federal or local government, or in a relevant private sector setting.
• Experience in the development, financing, deployment, and management of clean energy resources and energy-related climate mitigation initiatives.
• Experience advancing equitable outcomes that benefit environmental justice and historically underserved communities.
• Experience analyzing financial data and ensuring compliance with legal and statutory requirements, including federal and state regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of state policies, statutes, and regulations governing Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority.
• Knowledge of National Green Bank opportunities, models and associated financing approaches.

Physical Requirements

Requires occasional moving of articles such as boxes, accounting records, laptop computer, and portable printer.

Additional Requirements

Job offer is contingent upon passing reference checks to verify job-related credentials, a criminal background check and drivers' license check prior to appointment.

Application Details

How to Apply

Select "Apply for Job" at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers .

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 651-539-1506 .

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Human Resources at [email protected] .

About Climate Innovation Finance Authority

The purpose of MnCIFA is to accelerate the deployment of clean energy projects, greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects, and other qualified projects through the strategic deployment of public funds in the form of grants, loans, credit enhancements, and other financing mechanisms.

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov )

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.