Utility and Corporate Engagement Senior Manager or Director

About Blue Forest

Blue Forest is a conservation finance non-profit founded in 2015, focused on advancing ecosystem restoration through scientific research, financial innovation, and collaborative partnerships. Blue Forest’s flagship financial product, the Forest Resilience Bond (FRB), deploys private capital to finance forest restoration projects aimed at reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Blue Forest also operates Blue Forest Asset Management (BFAM), which connects investors to mission-aligned opportunities in various asset classes including private equity and private credit investments. The organization’s interdisciplinary team includes scientists, engineers, foresters, finance, and communications professionals all committed to the mission: “To accelerate ecological restoration through conservation finance, enabling climate resilience for ecosystems and communities.” Blue Forest is dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, recognizing that diversity drives their strength, resilience, and success.

About this Role

The Utility and Corporate Engagement Senior Manager or Director leads Blue Forest’s beneficiary engagement strategy across multiple conservation finance projects. This role is critical in fostering long-term relationships with utility and corporate beneficiaries who are focused on sustainability, risk management, and nature-based solutions. The role involves not only cultivating these relationships but also delivering on contracts to close funding gaps and enable conservation finance projects that promote ecosystem resilience. Key duties include identifying potential project beneficiaries, developing relationships, articulating the benefits of ecosystem restoration, and communicating the value proposition of conservation finance. This position also entails working closely with Blue Forest’s finance, project development, and science teams to ensure beneficiary needs are met, as well as engaging with regional and national trade organizations and representing Blue Forest at conferences.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with Blue Forest staff across finance, project development, and science teams to meet beneficiary engagement needs for specific FRB projects.
• Establish, develop, and manage key relationships with beneficiaries, including utilities, corporates, and government agencies.
• Help shape and implement engagement strategies regionally and across specific projects.
• Create and maintain internal tools and trainings around the beneficiary engagement process.
• Continuously document lessons learned and ensure learnings are incorporated into the project development process.
• Gather and share insights from beneficiary conversations with relevant teams to inform new tools and models.
• Create and manage a shared database of key contacts and project information.
• Support the development of beneficiary-related communications materials.
• Develop outreach strategies and contribute to newsletters and social media campaigns.
• Travel for meetings, conferences, and speaking engagements (4-10 days/month).

Requirements

• 8+ years of relevant work experience, particularly with utilities and/or private companies interested in nature-based solutions.
• Strong relationship management and business development skills, with experience working at leadership or executive levels.
• Strong professional communication skills, including the ability to distill complex ideas into presentations and written memos.
• Ability to grasp and explain technical concepts clearly for a non-technical audience.
• Experience navigating ambiguous situations and prioritizing competing needs strategically.
• Project management experience, including managing multiple workstreams, meeting deadlines, and overseeing budgets.
• Experience with partnerships and collaboration across internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to continuous learning and seeking opportunities to improve engagement processes.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; subsidized coverage for dependents.
• Access to a 401k retirement plan with a 4% employer match.
• Starting 3 weeks paid vacation and 17 paid holidays; paid sick leave and volunteer time.
• 3 months of paid family leave.
• Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance.
• Access to Dependent Care FSA.
• Public Lands Exploration stipend.
• Monthly Home Office stipend or co-working space provided.
• Travel and partial dependent care costs provided for business travel.
• Additional stipends for health & wellness, home internet, and cell service.
• Financial support for professional development.
• Covid Vaccine Requirement: All staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.