General Manager - Polar Bear Sustainable Energy Cooperative
Highland Park, Michigan, USA
Full Time, Salary $75,000+ with annual COLA increases
Polar Bear Sustainable Energy Cooperative is looking to hire a General Manager with entrepreneurial skills to build out the fledgling Highland Park organization.
The Position
The General Manager will have the responsibilities of organizing, managing and developing Polar Bear Sustainable Energy Co-op through the following types administrative and business development work:
●Fundraising, Grant writing and reporting
○ Relationship building
○ Forecasting and pursuing state and federal funding opportunities
● Membership Recruitment
○ Consistent member communications
○ Onboarding new members
○ Annual review and renewal of member agreements
○ Raising member equity to develop programs and projects
● Board Governance
○ Developing programs to manifest the vision of the board
○ Leading transition from solely volunteer leadership to utilizing paid staff
○ Regular reporting to the board of directors and membership
● Financial Management
○ Develop budgets for programs and projects
○ Propose annual budgets to the board
○ Manage cash flow
● Program Development
○ Creating and financing new programs based on member interest and conditions in membership communities
○ Integrating partners, collaborations, or sponsors that provide opportunities for expansion of member services
○ Develop and manage database to use in reporting and tracking impacts
The Requirements
Experience in the following is preferred:
● Background in scaling a business or other entrepreneurial activity
● Working with the board of directors of a cooperative
● Community Development work in Detroit, Highland Park and/or Hamtramck or similarly impacted frontline communities
Additional Qualifications:
● Flexibility
● Good writing and communication skills
● Ability to communicate with people from all backgrounds
The Organization
Polar Bear Sustainable Energy (PBSE) is a cooperative based in Highland Park,
Michigan, serving members in Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck. Our primary mission is
helping members become more energy efficient and energy independent through home
efficiency retrofits, and electrification projects. PBSE currently has a dedicated board, a small
but active membership, and a part time board administrator. We are now looking to hire our first
full-time employee. This is a big job that will require energy and dedication. The general
manager needs to be flexible and motivated by the mission of the organization.
PBSE was incubated by Soulardarity to be a vehicle for equitable access to holistic energy
services, and our founding members are committed to advancing racial and economic equity in
the energy system. PBSE conducted extensive feasibility work which identified that residential
energy efficiency was the most viable initial program for the cooperative, and secured funding
for this position and an initial pilot program. PBSE aims to be a source for holistic energy
services, and board members have identified community solar and rooftop solar bulk purchasing
as key points of program development. The general manager will lead the cooperative through
forming its initial programs, pursuit of the resources and partnerships needed to support
aggressive scaling and expansion, and development of a culture of deep member solidarity.
To Apply
The following materials should be emailed in pdf format to jobs@pbse.coop:
● A resume of no more than 2 pages,
● A cover letter describing your background and experiences that you think qualifies you
for the broad demands of this position,
● Three references including names, email addresses and phone numbers.