Principal, Investments (Tax & Preferred Equity)

Job description

WE’RE FINANCING THE FUTURE OF ENERGY Crux is the capital platform for the clean economy. We modernize capital raising and deployment for clean energy and critical infrastructure with solutions across advisory, investments, technology, and intelligence. Our team of 120+ is composed of experts in energy, tax, finance, government, and technology. We have raised $77 million in capital from some of the best investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Lowercarbon Capital, New System Ventures, Overture, Ardent Venture Partners, QED, Canapi, and others. These funds are joined by strategic investors including Pattern Energy, Clearway Energy, EDF Renewables, Intersect Power, LS Power, Orsted, Hartree Partners, Liberty Mutual Strategic Ventures, MassMutual Ventures, and OMERS Ventures. AN INFLECTION POINT IN AMERICAN ENERGY AND MANUFACTURING Energy demand is growing for the first time in decades, driving an urgent need for more affordable and reliable electricity. More electricity requires new clean energy infrastructure and strong domestic supply chains for minerals and components — as well as large amounts of capital. Traditional project financing is opaque, fragmented, and analog. At Crux, we’re changing that. Through unmatched insights and expertise, white-glove service, purpose-built tools, and risk underwriting, we power a more prosperous, clean, and secure energy future. We are scaling quickly and looking for team members who are eager to combine deep expertise with an AI-and tech-forward mindset. THE OPPORTUNITY Crux's Investments team manages the full lifecycle of the firm's tax equity and preferred equity activity, including hybrids thereof — origination, execution, and long-term portfolio stewardship. The Principal, Investments leads transaction execution day-to-day, works closely with senior colleagues on the most complex structures, and grows into leading negotiations and IC discussions independently. The seat is execution-led, with involvement in post-close portfolio stewardship. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Lead execution of tax equity and preferred equity investments, including hybrids thereof, from term sheet through close, with senior support on the most complex points. - Identify, help structure around, price, and document transaction risk. - Build and review partnership and hybrid models, and develop a strong point of view on assumptions, sensitivities, and risk cases. - Prepare opportunities for the Investment Committee (IC), for both screening and final investment decisioning, and present with support. - Co-lead negotiations with sponsors and capital partners. - Work with Legal, Tax, and Risk on key issues and IRS compliance. - Contribute to the team's institutional infrastructure — investment principles, underwriting parameters, and IC process. - Mentor junior team members and use technology and AI to work more efficiently. WHAT MAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY DISTINCTIVE - Lead execution on a team that pairs clean energy finance expertise with a genuinely AI-forward toolset. - Broad exposure across tax equity and preferred equity structures and top-tier sponsors and capital partners. - High ownership and high growth, with a remote-first, mission-driven culture and competitive compensation. WHAT YOU BRING - Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Environmental Studies or a related field; MBA or advanced degree a plus. - 8+ years in renewable energy, structured finance, or infrastructure investing, with direct experience on tax equity transactions; exposure to hybrids thereof and/or preferred equity a strong plus. - Working command of partnership structures and tax and capital account basis issues (DROs, basis, allocations, safe harbor, recapture). - Breadth across core technologies (solar, wind, storage); exposure to emerging categories.Strong risk judgment — identifying, structuring around, pricing, and documenting risk. - Ability to negotiate transaction documents (partnership flips, T-flips, preferred equity; sale-leaseback a plus). - Strong modeling skills across partnership and hybrid structures. - Tenacity, persistence, and ownership, with genuine energy for the work and the mission. - Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills. - Proven ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. - Strong capabilities in — or a clear desire to rapidly advance — technology and AI. - Prior experience at a bank (particularly in project finance, structured products, or a leveraged finance group) or developer/sponsor is a strong plus. - Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time. - FINRA SIE, Series 79, and 63, or willingness to obtain them under Crux's broker-dealer sponsorship. WHAT WE BRING - Backing, traction & brand: - We have raised $77 million in capital from some of the best venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Lowercarbon Capital, New System Ventures, Ardent Venture Partners, Pattern, Clearway, EDFR, Intersect, LS Power, Orsted, Hartree Partners, Liberty Mutual Strategic Ventures, MassMutual Ventures, and OMERS Ventures. - $500m debt warehouse facility from Nuveen to invest in clean energy. - Have been profitable and are growing exponentially - We have closed over 120+ transactions in just the last 2 years, facilitating billions of dollars of capital flowing into renewables projects - Culture & working dynamic - Remote-first operating model: Work from anywhere in the US and Canada, or work out of our optional offices in DC, NYC, & SF. Optional co-working opportunities with co-workers in, Seattle, Denver, Boston, LA, and beyond. - High growth & high ownership culture: We grow quickly by giving extremely talented people a lot of responsibility. - Best of financial services & technology: We have brought together a team that are experts in clean energy finance, and the best technologies. Use your expertise while getting to be on the cutting edge of applying AI to your day and your clients’ experience. - Regular team offsites: We sustain culture by bringing the entire company together 2 times a year. Individual teams may also meet up more frequently. - Benefits - Healthcare: We cover 100% of premiums for employees with a variety of plans on Aetna (nationwide) and Kaiser (WA and California) and subsidize 70% for dependents (total as a group), if relevant. - Dental & vision: We cover 100% of premiums for employees and 50% for dependents (each), if relevant. - Holidays: 10 company holidays per year. - Paid time off: 20 days per year. - 401k: We support a 401k account but don't have a matching program set up at this time (typical for an early-stage startup). - Parental leave: 16 weeks for birthing parents and 12 weeks for non-birthing parents. - Compensation: - Compensation: $300,000s - $500,000s, depending on years of exp. & revenue scope, not inclusive of equity value. - Stock options in a rapidly growing company. - Values - Care for each other: We want to work on a team where people support each other - in their growth, in their work, and towards our shared mission. When we do that, we have fun. - Build and improve rapidly: We move quickly. To do that, we focus, consistently ask ourselves if we are prioritizing the right things, and execute them as best as possible. - Focus unremittingly on customers: Our first obligation is to our customers and partners, and we keep their needs front and center in everything we do. - Demonstrate ownership: We are all owners of Crux. This is our team, our company, our product and we show that to each other. - Convene a team that reflects the breadth of experiences in the country: We’re building a team with a wide range of backgrounds and a culture where everyone can thrive. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.