Vice President Project Finance

Role: Vice President, Project Finance

Location: San Francisco, CA

Compensation: Approximately $250,000 base salary plus a 20–25% annual bonus

Reports to: Chief Investment Officer

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking a Vice President of Project Finance to lead the financing of utility-scale renewable energy projects from initial capital outreach through financial close.

This is a senior, hands-on role for an experienced project finance professional who combines strong transaction judgment with a closer’s mentality. The Vice President will own the full financing lifecycle, make commercial decisions, lead negotiations with capital providers and internal stakeholders, and drive multiple complex transactions to completion.

The role joins an established group of Vice Presidents and will manage a dedicated Associate. It is particularly well suited to someone who has worked in a renewable energy developer or similarly entrepreneurial environment, where success depends on finding practical paths forward. A foundation in project finance lending/banking is advantageous but not essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the full transaction lifecycle for utility-scale renewable energy financings, from financing strategy and investor or lender outreach through negotiation, documentation and closing.
• Lead tax equity, debt and other project-level capital transactions across a substantial multiyear development pipeline.
• Make commercial recommendations and decisions involving financing structure, economics, risk allocation, counterparties and execution strategy.
• Serve as the internal deal leader, maintaining accountability for transaction schedules, workstreams, deliverables and key decisions.
• Lead negotiations with tax equity investors, lenders and other capital providers.
• Coordinate closely with development, commercial, legal, tax, accounting, engineering and construction teams.
• Identify potential obstacles early and develop pragmatic solutions that keep transactions moving toward close.
• Evaluate proposals, term sheets and financing alternatives based on economics, risk, certainty of execution and strategic fit.
• Oversee financial modeling, diligence, investment materials, internal approvals and transaction documentation.
• Manage external counsel, consultants and other transaction advisors.
• Provide clear, decision-oriented updates to senior leadership and escalate issues with recommended solutions.
• Manage, coach and develop an Associate supporting transaction execution.
• Contribute to the continued development of the project finance organization, processes and team structure.

Qualifications

• Approximately 8–15 years of relevant experience in renewable energy project finance, infrastructure finance or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex transactions through financial close.
• Strong preference for experience working within a renewable energy developer, independent power producer or other principal-side organization.
• Meaningful experience with tax equity and/or project debt transactions in the U.S. renewable energy market.
• Sound commercial judgment and the ability to make decisions in situations involving competing priorities, incomplete information and tight timelines.
• Strong negotiation, financial analysis and transaction-management capabilities.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams without relying solely on formal authority.
• A resourceful, solutions-oriented approach and comfort operating in a lean, fast-moving organization.
• Clear and credible communication skills with both senior executives and external capital partners.
• Experience managing or developing junior team members.
• Bachelor’s degree required; an MBA or other relevant advanced degree is helpful but not required.

What Success Looks Like

• Complex financings are driven efficiently from initial strategy through close.
• Senior leadership can remain focused on portfolio-level priorities rather than day-to-day transaction management.
• Commercial and execution issues are surfaced early, accompanied by practical recommendations.
• Capital-provider relationships are managed with credibility, responsiveness and sound judgment.
• The Associate supporting the role receives strong direction, development and increasing responsibility.
• The project finance team expands its capacity to execute a growing pipeline of large utility-scale projects.

Why Join

Our client is entering a period of significant growth, with a substantial pipeline of utility-scale renewable energy projects requiring tax equity and other project-level capital over the coming years. This role offers the opportunity to lead major transactions, influence commercial decisions and help shape the continued evolution of the project finance function.

The position carries meaningful ownership and visibility within the organization. For the right candidate, it offers a compelling combination of transaction leadership, team development and long-term growth potential.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated base salary is approximately $250,000, with a target annual bonus of 25%. Additional discretionary compensation may be awarded but is not guaranteed. Final compensation will depend on experience, qualifications and location.

The client offers a full suite of top-tier benefits including health, dental, vision, 401K, PTO, training for long term career progression & advancement, and a hybrid work schedule.

To hear more in confidence, please apply by clicking the link below, or reach out to the partner leading the search - Tom Perkin, Talisman Advisory Partners - tom.perkin@talismanap.com