Description
The Center for Energy Education (C4EE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides education and training to support the growth of renewable energy in rural communities. C4EE is headquartered in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, adjacent to the Halifax County Old Airport Solar Farm, and serves as a hub for renewable energy education, workforce development, and community engagement.
We are seeking a full-time Executive Director based at our Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina headquarters. The Executive Director is expected to be on site at least three days per week to maintain a visible presence with staff, community partners, and local stakeholders. Up to two days per week may be worked remotely when duties allow. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, strategy, and operations of the organization. These responsibilities include managing a budget, leading a diverse team and consultants, serving as C4EE’s primary public ambassador in rural communities, playing a key role in fund development planning and implementation; developing and sustaining trusting relationships with community members, schools, local governments, and solar developers; and maintaining a strong, transparent relationship with the Board of Directors.
Organizational Operations and Culture 10%
-Oversee core nonprofit operations, including human resources, performance management, and basic legal and regulatory compliance (with support from outside advisors as needed).
-Maintain a culture where staff can develop creative approaches to community-based and focused clean energy programs.
-Embed the organization’s values in C4EE’s policies, programs, and decision-making by listening to and elevating voices from communities most affected by energy and economic transitions, particularly in rural Eastern North Carolina.
-Invest in the professional growth of staff through mentorship and access to ongoing learning and training.
-Ensure grant reporting and other funding requirements are met on time and of high quality.
External Relations and Strategy 35%
-Articulate the organization’s vision to stakeholders at the community, county, state, and national levels, including residents, county commissioners, school systems, community colleges, and solar developers, marshaling financial, bipartisan political, and partner support.
-Model the organization’s values in all relationships with communities, funders, and decision-makers.
-Continue to build the organization’s national visibility within clean energy sectors.
-Serve as a neutral, fact-based convener on renewable energy, facilitating community meetings, public workshops, and listening sessions that build trust among residents, local officials, and solar developers.
Fundraising and Financial Strategy 35%
-Serve as C4EE’s chief fundraiser, partnering with the Board to cultivate major donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation/government grants, and to develop special campaigns and events. Maintain relationships with existing funders, including individuals, private foundations, and government agencies; cultivate relationships with new supporters, paying particular attention to cultivating new major funders.
-Oversee financial management that includes restricted and unrestricted grants, state and federal grants, foundations and sponsored educational programming.
-Lead efforts to optimize financial performance and sustainability.
-Ensure the organization makes sound, financially sustainable business decisions.
-Develop a solid fundraising plan that includes restricted and unrestricted funding.
Board Management and Board Development 10%
-Communicate in a consistent, transparent way to a working Board of Directors, alerting them to both opportunities and challenges.
-Ensure both current Board members and new Board members have a solid understanding of the organization’s mission and programs.
-Recruit active, engaged Board members who are aligned with the organization’s mission.
-Gather input from the Board to set the strategic direction for the organization, including oversight of next strategic planning process and plan implementation.
Strategic Community Partnerships 10%
-Build and sustain long-term, trust-based relationships with residents, community leaders, schools, faith communities, and civic organizations in Roanoke Rapids, Halifax -County, and other rural communities C4EE serves.
-Provide organizational leadership that ensures programmatic work and commitment to the organization’s values are actionable.
-Evaluate successful community-based projects and work with community partners to expand and replicate them as appropriate.
-Develop and implement community-based programming aligned with C4EE’s mission and vision, helping programs secure resources and funding.
Application Instructions
Join us at C4EE and contribute to advancing renewable energy education and community engagement. Help us create a sustainable future by informing and empowering communities through renewable energy initiatives. To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter (describing your interest in C4EE and relevant experience in community engagement and fundraising) to mozine.lowe@center4ee.org by February 28, 2026, with ‘Executive Director Application – [Your Name]’ in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Learn More
https://center4ee.org/
Requirements
-Nonprofit management experience, experience leading in renewable energy, climate change solutions, or community resilience context preferred.
-Proven track record in financial management, including budget preparation for multiple audiences, analysis, decision-making, and reporting.
-Excellent communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to communicate and connect with a range of audiences, including those groups and communities that have been historically marginalized, in a way that is non-partisan, respectful, and grounded in facts.
-Demonstrated ability to build trust and work effectively with rural communities, including people who may be skeptical of renewable energy projects.
-Demonstrated experience cultivating funder relationships that promote inclusive practices within rural communities.
-Willingness and ability to be an active, visible presence at C4EE’s Roanoke Rapids campus and in surrounding communities, including being on site at least three days per week and attending some evening and weekend events.
-Experience partnering with K-12 schools, community colleges, or workforce boards to design and deliver educational or workforce development programs is strongly preferred.
-Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., public administration, education, environmental studies, business) or equivalent experience is preferred.
-Salary based on experience.
