Job DescriptionJob DescriptionSalary:
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, Were 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 employees 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.
Were 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 doesnt 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 Were 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 Were 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, Were 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 dont 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 teams 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 Were All In
Breaks down organizational silos and rallies teams around shared goals, showing up fully in the work alongside colleagues.
Accountability Were 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, were leading the charge in transforming the energy landscape with innovative solar solutions . As a top player in the renewable energy sector, weve 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 theres 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 . click apply for full job details