Job Summary:
The Director, Cleantech supports the development, incubation, and scaling of Cox Enterprises’ Cleantech portfolio, including strategic analysis, corporate development and reporting, leveraging resources across the enterprise to drive long-term growth. Partnering closely with the Vice President, Cleantech, the Director will help lead and oversee the portfolio of businesses within Cleantech and ensure connectivity into the appropriate Cox functional teams (e.g., HR, legal, FP&A). The Director will play a pivotal role in driving organizational success by leading strategic initiatives and ensuring alignment with the company’s long-term goals. This role requires a seasoned leader who can navigate complex challenges, influence senior leadership, represent Cox credibly in external settings, and foster a collaborative environment.
Job Responsibilities:
Organizational Impact:
- Develop strategic analyses that inform the Cleantech investment thesis and portfolio growth strategy.
- Drive cross-functional initiatives that align with the company’s mission and strategic objectives.
- Perform primary and secondary market research (e.g., value chain, market sizing, competitive landscape) to identify and prioritize new investment opportunities. Leverage AI tools to accelerate analysis and surface insights.
- Support the identification, evaluation, and execution of acquisitions, partnerships, alliances, joint ventures, and internal start-ups within the Cleantech vertical.
- Build and maintain business, financial, and operational plans for new and existing Cleantech opportunities.
- Partner with portfolio company leadership to advance value creation priorities across existing Cleantech investments and identify operational improvements, cost efficiencies, and growth levers to drive performance.
Deal Execution & External Representation:
- Lead day-to-day execution across the deal lifecycle — sourcing, financial modeling, valuation, structuring, and diligence support — in partnership with Corporate Development and the VP.
- Serve as a primary point of contact and represent the VP in external-facing settings, including investment banks and financial advisors, outside consultants and diligence providers, acquisition target owners and management teams, and co-investors and other third parties.
- Build and maintain relationships with internal boundary partners (Legal, FP&A, HR, Corporate Development, and other CEI functional teams) to keep the Cleantech vertical connected to the broader enterprise.
- Prepare and deliver materials that translate detailed financial and market analysis into clear, decision-ready narratives for the VP, Investment Committee, and other senior stakeholders.
- May represent Cox Enterprises in a board or governance capacity for one or more Cleantech portfolio companies; the scope, timing, and nature of any such responsibility will be determined by the VP as the business evolves.
Problem Solving & Complexity:
- Identify and resolve complex business and analytical challenges using structured, strategic thinking.
- Develop and present materials that translate detailed analysis into concise narratives.
- Analyze and interpret data to inform decision-making and optimize business processes.
- Anticipate risks and gaps in deal execution or portfolio performance.
- Develop comprehensive solutions that address both immediate and long-term organizational needs.
Influence & Leadership:
- Interface with senior leadership and portfolio company leaders to align initiatives with organizational priorities.
- Build credibility with portfolio company leadership, internal boundary partners, and external parties through subject-matter depth and sound judgment.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to develop consensus around, and build support for, Cleantech investment theses and portfolio company strategic initiatives.
Job Qualifications – Experience/Education/Training:
Required:
- 10 years of experience in corporate strategy, consulting, private equity, investment banking, or M&A; OR MS degree +8 years of relevant experience; OR PhD +5 years of relevant experience; OR 16 years of equivalent relevant experience in lieu of degree.
- Extensive business development experience, including ideation, strategy development, execution and commercialization.
- Proven experience in a leadership role, with a track record of driving organizational impact.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire others.
- Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate and resolve complex issues.
- Strong strategic and analytical skills in addition to excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Ability to collaborate, lead and facilitate strategy discussions across the organization.
- Leadership of cross-functional teams, matrix management, project management and success in collaborating across the organization.
- Skilled in applying AI-enabled research and analytics tools to accelerate diligence and market analysis.
Preferred:
- Cleantech, renewable energy, sustainable technology, environmental services, or industrial experience.
- Experience in start-up, growth-stage, or new-business incubation environments; entrepreneurial mindset.
- Prior experience representing an organization in external or board-adjacent settings (e.g., board observer, advisory committee).
Job Skills:
- Financial modeling, valuation, and deal structuring
- Market research and competitive analysis
- Executive-level written and verbal communication
- Relationship management with external stakeholders (banks, consultants, target companies)
- Cross-functional collaboration and matrixed team leadership
- Project management and organizational prioritization
Other Essential Job Requirements and Working Conditions:
Travel: Occasional travel required, estimated 15–25%.
Other:
This job description is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. All employees of Cox Enterprises, Inc. are expected to perform tasks as assigned by Cox Enterprises, Inc. Supervisory/Management personnel, regardless of job title or routine job duties.
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $163,400.00 - $272,300.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
