An exciting opportunity exists with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for an experienced, self-motivated, and dedicated individual to serve as the Industry Market Development Lead for NYSERDA’s groundbreaking RetrofitNY initiative.

Click here to view this opportunity on the NYSERDA website.

This position will involve extensive interaction with key stakeholders including building systems manufacturers and suppliers, construction companies, architects, engineers, developers and various federal, state and local government agencies.

The RetrofitNY Initiative

RetrofitNY [PDF] is a cornerstone initiative of NYSERDA’s drive toward a statewide net zero carbon building stock, which is an essential element of reaching economy-wide carbon neutrality as mandated by New York’s recently enacted Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.  Based upon a successful model in the Netherlands called Energiesprong , RetrofitNY aims to revolutionize the building retrofit industry in New York starting with the affordable housing sector.  By adapting the Energiesprong process to conditions on the ground here, RetrofitNY is inducing the architecture, engineering and construction industry to develop innovative technical solutions capable of transforming much of NY’s existing multifamily residential building stock into buildings that meet (or approach) net zero levels of energy performance, in a cost-effective manner. The ultimate goal of the RetrofitNY initiative is to develop a self-sufficient, private sector-based market for the implementation, at scale, of net zero energy retrofit solutions that will greatly improve energy performance, health and comfort within existing affordable housing buildings, providing building owners and regulators with new strategies to preserve affordability and improve their buildings while combating climate change.

To accelerate the evolution of this market, RetrofitNY is supporting the development in New York of new integrated building components such as energy pods providing heating, cooling, heat/energy recovery ventilation and hot water; prefabricated, panelized envelope solutions that combine insulation, air barrier, windows and a new façade; and roof modules integrating insulation and solar photovoltaic panels. To bring these solutions to the New York market on a large scale, RetrofitNY will also transform how deep energy retrofits are designed and procured by supporting the development of new business models and companies providing the components described above, as well as solution providers able to integrate these components into turnkey retrofit solutions for building owners.

Primary Responsibilities 

The overarching goal of this initiative is to get net zero retrofit offerings from the construction industry introduced into the market that building owners, and particularly multifamily affordable housing providers, are willing to purchase. We are doing this by motivating and helping companies to find their role in this emerging market.

The Industry Market Development Lead will help identify, closely engage with, and serve as the key point of contact for companies that will design, build, and implement innovative net zero energy retrofit solutions, and will support these companies in undertaking the organizational transformation needed to embrace and begin to deploy RetrofitNY’s net zero retrofit integrated approach.

As a member of the Multifamily team, the Industry Market Development Lead will also contribute to the development and implementation of NYSERDA’s other interventions in the multifamily sector.

The primary responsibilities of this position will be to:

• Identify and develop strong relationships with different types of industry players, running the gamut from start-ups to established companies currently focused on different but related activities, that have the capacity to deliver components of the RetrofitNY technical solutions or become solutions providers
• Attract and engage emerging solution providers and support them in developing integrated business models and delivery mechanisms that can deliver net zero retrofits as turn-key solutions to building owners
• Oversee the development of specifications for various components of the technical solutions based on the needs of the demand pipeline being developed (like affordable housing and dormitories) to guide the development of retrofit solutions by the industry
• Support solution providers in dialogues with housing providers to create net zero energy retrofit solutions that best fit their respective needs
• Support solution providers during the implementation of prototype projects and throughout the monitoring and verification process, including feedback on technical performance and resident satisfaction
• Work closely with other RetrofitNY team members focusing on market development, demand aggregation, financing solutions, regulatory barriers, communications, and resident engagement to fine tune the net zero energy business case and demonstrate how it will provide a strong value proposition for potential solution providers, manufacturers and building owners
• Work closely with NYSERDA’s Research and Development team and Technology to Market team to accelerate the development of the technical solutions needed and the transformation of the relevant supply chains
• Develop and implement a monitoring and verification process for pilot projects and oversee development of framework to capture performance data on all projects utilizing the technologies and approach developed through RetrofitNY
• Participate in NYSERDA’s efforts to implement interventions and strategies that lead to the market’s uptake of more / deeper energy efficiency and renewable energy in multifamily buildings
• Oversee the work of energy consultants, engineers, and other technical contractors
• Present information on NYSERDA’s behalf at professional meetings, conferences, and workshops
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned 

Because the primary focus of this role is the direct engagement of key industry players, travel is expected throughout New York State.

Minimum Qualifications

The success of RetrofitNY will depend upon team members collectively taking a leadership role. This is only possible if the team has vision and can act boldly using unconventional approaches to break through the status quo. Expert knowledge is important, as is a clear sense of direction. The role requires a ‘can-do’ attitude, lateral thinking, creativity in finding new approaches for what may initially seem impossible challenges, the ability to inspire others, and a personal drive for the objectives of RetrofitNY.

The role also requires:

• A bachelor’s degree plus at least 10 years of relevant work experience
• At least 5 years of experience in engineering, product development or construction management
• Demonstrated ability to think outside of the box, realize new business propositions, sell an idea, and foster change within institutions and in the marketplace
• Strong analytical skills to identify and resolve issues
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop robust relationships within the RetrofitNY team and other relevant teams within NYSERDA, as well as with partnering organizations and target companies
• Strong project management skills with the ability to set priorities, successfully handle multiple activities simultaneously and deliver on commitments with speed, accuracy and judgment
• A result-oriented entrepreneurial edge, resourcefulness, adaptability, an instinct for surfacing value and pragmatic solutions, and creativity needed for successful change management
• Ability to bring others to understand and trust new value propositions, with the capacity to integrate a range of perspectives to inform that value proposition
• Good computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

In addition, candidates from the following fields or who possess knowledge and/or experience in the following areas will be given preference:

• Experience in multifamily housing industry or other commercial building sectors
• Experience in manufacturing, preferably in building technologies 
• Experience with energy efficiency retrofit projects, particularly in the multifamily sector
• Experience in business development including startups
• Experience starting new business ventures or product lines

To Apply

Please submit one file that includes both your cover letter and resume to recruiter@nyserda.ny.gov and include the Title and Job Code 527 in the Subject Line.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.