Vice President, Human Resources

The Vice President, Human Resources serves as a senior executive leader responsible for the operational, organizational, and administrative backbone of the company. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Vice President, Human Resources oversees a broad portfolio including Human Resources, Recruiting & Talent Acquisition, Office Operations, and cross-functional administrative functions critical to advancing the company's solar development pipeline.

This is a high-impact leadership role for a strategic operator who thrives in a fast-growing, mission-driven environment. The Vice President of Human Resources will build and strengthen the people and operational infrastructure needed to support aggressive growth in commercial solar development across multiple markets.

The ideal candidate is a living embodiment of our three core values, Lift as We Climb, We’re All In, and Top of Our Game — and will serve as their primary steward across every team, process, and touchpoint in the organization.

Our Core Values & What They Mean for This Role

Lift as We Climb

We believe individual growth and collective success are inseparable. The Vice President of Human Resources leads this value from the front — building mentorship pathways, investing in every employee’s development, championing equitable hiring, and ensuring that as the company grows, every person on the team grows with it. Success here means no one is left behind.

We’re All In

We show up fully — for our mission, our teammates, and our communities. The Vice President of Human Resources models total commitment by rolling up their sleeves alongside any team, breaking down silos, and fostering a culture of shared accountability. When challenges arise, this leader doesn’t delegate the hard parts — they lean in.

Top of Our Game

We pursue excellence relentlessly — not perfection, but continuous improvement. The Vice President of Human Resources drives operational rigor, data-informed decision-making, and a high-performance culture. This means setting clear expectations, celebrating wins, learning from setbacks, and always pushing the organization toward its highest potential.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Partner with the CEO and Executive Team to align administrative priorities with company growth strategy, always asking how we can Lift as We Climb at every decision.
• Lead organizational design and workforce planning to support expanding project pipelines and geographic footprint.
• Champion a We’re All In culture by modeling cross-functional collaboration and breaking down silos between teams.
• Drive change management, culture-building, and process improvement initiatives that reflect our values in action.
• Represent the company at the executive level across NEE-affiliated forums and external stakeholder meetings.

Board, Committee & Cross-Enterprise Engagement

• Participate in weekly meetings with the New Energy Senior Executive team and report on all areas of the HR department.
• Participate in quarterly strategy planning sessions with NEE Executive Team members, contributing a people and operations lens to enterprise-wide planning.
• Serve as Executive Sponsor of the Professional Development Committee — championing a Lift as We Climb culture by investing in learning, growth, and career advancement for every team member.
• Serve as Executive Sponsor of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Committee — providing visible leadership, resources, and accountability to advance a truly inclusive workplace.

Human Resources & People Operations

• Oversee all HR functions including employee relations, compensation and benefits, performance management, and compliance.
• Develop people programs, coaching frameworks, and career pathways that embody Lift as We Climb — helping every employee advance.
• Oversee onboarding and the full employee lifecycle to ensure a consistent, high-quality experience from day one.
• Champion a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture — because lifting as we climb means opening doors for everyone.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across all operating jurisdictions.

Recruiting & Talent Acquisition

• Lead end-to-end recruiting strategy for all corporate and project-level positions — approaching talent acquisition with a Top of Our Game standard.
• Build pipelines through recruiting agencies, university partners, and solar industry networks, with intentional focus on diverse candidate sourcing.
• Define and track hiring metrics including time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, and retention rates; bring transparency and rigor to every search.
• Design competitive compensation frameworks benchmarked to the clean energy sector, ensuring we attract and keep top talent.
• Develop employer branding that tells our values story: a place where ambitious people grow together and go all in on clean energy.

Office Operations & Facilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations across all company locations, creating an environment where teams can do their best work — Top of Our Game starts with the space we work in.
• Manage facilities, vendor contracts, office leases, and equipment procurement in coordination with finance and legal.
• Implement and optimize administrative systems, workflows, and technology tools to continuously raise the efficiency bar.
• Oversee travel management, executive scheduling support, and company-wide events that foster a We’re All In culture.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets for HR, recruiting, and office operations with full accountability and transparency.

Qualifications

Required

• 10+ years of progressive experience in HR
• Demonstrated experience managing recruiting in a high-growth or project-based environment.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and multi-state operations.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to build and scale operational infrastructure in fast-paced environments.
• Experience presenting to boards of directors or senior executive leadership teams in a formal governance capacity.
• Demonstrated experience serving as an executive sponsor of employee-led committees (DE&I, professional development, or similar).
• Genuine alignment with our core values — Lift as We Climb, We’re All In, and Top of Our Game — with examples to prove it.

Preferred

• Experience in renewable energy, infrastructure development, real estate, or construction industries.
• SHRM-SCP / SPHR certification strongly preferred.
• Experience with HRIS platforms (e.g., Rippling, Workday, BambooHR) and ATS systems (e.g., Greenhouse, Lever).
• Background in DEI program leadership, ESG reporting, or sustainability-focused organizational practices.

Leadership Competencies

Each competency below is anchored directly to one of our core values. We don’t just hire for skills — we hire people who will embody who we are.

Strategic Thinking | Lift as We Climb

Connects operational decisions to long-term growth, using the team’s collective intelligence rather than top-down directives.

Talent Builder | Lift as We Climb

Actively recruits, develops, and sponsors talent — particularly from underrepresented groups — creating ladders of opportunity at every level.

Collaborative Drive | We’re All In

Breaks down organizational silos and rallies teams around shared goals, showing up fully in the work alongside colleagues.

Accountability | We’re All In

Holds themselves and others to commitments with transparency and follow-through; owns both wins and missteps.

Operational Excellence | Top of Our Game

Designs scalable, efficient systems with measurable outcomes and continuously raises the performance bar.

Mission Alignment | Top of Our Game

Demonstrates genuine commitment to renewable energy goals and models the drive to be the best in the clean energy space.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

The expected annual compensation range for this position is $180,000 - $230,000, encompassing base pay and potential incentive target opportunity. This range is a good faith estimate based on the position's requirements. Specific compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary depending on factors such as relevant knowledge, skills, training, experience, and market conditions. Additionally, this position may qualify for a comprehensive benefits package, including Retirement Benefits, Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences, and more.

About Us:

At New Energy Equity, a proud subsidiary of ALLETE, we’re leading the charge in transforming the energy landscape with innovative solar solutions 🌞. As a top player in the renewable energy sector, we’ve successfully developed over 600MW of solar projects and closed more than $1.2 billion in clean energy investments 💼. Our projects deliver sustainable electricity to a wide range of clients, including commercial, industrial, municipal, and utility customers 🌍. But there’s more to us than just impressive numbers. We pride ourselves on a dynamic and engaging work environment where teamwork, continuous learning, and environmental stewardship are at the core of what we do 🌿. Our inclusive and collaborative culture encourages creativity and innovation, making our office a place where every idea is valued, and growth is a priority 💡. At New Energy Equity, you’ll join a passionate team that not only drives the clean energy future but also enjoys celebrating our successes together 🎉. With over 250 projects across the U.S. 🌎, our supportive atmosphere ensures a balanced work-life dynamic ⚖️ and a fun, fulfilling career path 🌟. Join us and be part of a forward-thinking company where your contributions are celebrated, and your professional development is supported as we work towards a brighter, sustainable future 🌍.

The statements above outline the essential functions, nature, and level of work expected as of the document’s preparation date. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties and responsibilities. New Energy Equity reserves the right to modify this job description at any time, without notice.

New Energy Equity is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR department at amekonnen@newenergyequity.com