HVAC Channel Manager, Level I, II

Location

Hybrid or Remote – 1-2 days/week in our Minneapolis office for local candidates. Travel for in-state events and national conferences will be required.

Join Our Dynamic Market Transformation Team

We are looking for an HVAC Channel Manager to join our growing Market Transformation team! The Market Transformation team is responsible for accelerating the development and adoption of emerging energy efficiency and electrification technologies and practices, bringing them more rapidly to scale. This role will report to the Initiative Manager – ASHPs and will work to support key HVAC market transformation initiatives. We will be selecting one candidate to join our team as either a Level I or Level II HVAC Channel Manager. While the roles are similar, there are marked differences in responsibilities and experience.

The HVAC Channel Manager is responsible for helping to catalyze residential air source heat pump (ASHP) technology in the market to reach aggressive adoption goals by representing the market perspective and effectively engaging in the market. This key team member will work with manufacturers, distributors and contractors to find creative and impactful ways to grow adoption of ASHP technology to achieve customer and societal benefits. Ideal candidates are HVAC technical experts and industry influencers seeking a role where they can apply their talents to a larger mission of positive change in the industry. The HVAC Channel Manager brings extensive expertise in the supply chain regarding market dynamics, structure and trends, and provides specialty with one or more supply chain actor audiences.

The HVAC Channel Manager is persuasive and skilled at engaging key market actors in collaborating on new ways to increase adoption of energy-efficient and carbon-reducing ASHPs. This person will develop, influence and nurture partnerships, lead collaborative work, drive market engagement strategies, and deliver product training for key heat pump technologies.

While a Level I Channel Manager contributes to and carries out these efforts, a Level II Channel Manager leads them. They influence the market, lead national engagement strategies and partnerships, and act as a strategic advisor to ASHP initiatives and product teams. Level II Channel Managers also bring with them a deep and broad network of existing relationships with key distributors and manufacturer representatives.

Who We Are

Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a clean energy nonprofit with offices in North Loop of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We provide practical energy solutions for homes, businesses, and communities to cut energy waste and harmful emissions. We collaborate regularly with field peers and partners, and we employ curious people who enjoy learning and contributing to the Midwest’s quality of life and economy. Recognized as one of Minnesota's top 200 workplaces by the Star Tribune, CEE is known for its open communication, respect for diverse perspectives, and commitment to work-life balance.

What We Offer

- Insurance Coverage Options: To ensure you and your family are well protected, we have got you covered with Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Health Saving Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts. Please see our 2026 Benefit Summary.

- Impact: We want to make the world a better and more energy efficient place. Our work and the decisions we make are rooted in this foundational desire.

- Future Planning: To help you secure your financial future, benefit from our retirement saving program. Reach your goal sooner with our immediate vesting and company contribution.

- Work/Life Balance: We recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and are dedicated to supporting our team members in various aspects of their lives. Our benefits include generous Paid Time Off (PTO), paid parental leave, and salary continuation for major medical events, ensuring that you have the support you need during significant life moments and personal challenges.

- Holidays: Our company provides nine paid holidays each year, offering you ample time to observe important occasions and enjoy personal time.

- Growth: We want everyone to grow and learn within their roles. We offer professional development opportunities and education assistance.

- Championing DEI: Our committed DEI Committee promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment by establishing clear goals and assessing progress throughout the organization.

What You’ll Do

Market Engagement & Relationship Building

- Accelerate adoption of ASHP technology through supply-chain engagement by deploying a strategic account management approach with HVAC manufacturers, distributors and contractors

- Conceptualize and plan engagement activities for and with key market actors

- Build and expand productive working partnerships with HVAC installation contractors, distributors, and equipment manufacturers to align market conditions and increase sales of ASHPs

- Influence distributors to enhance contractor heat pump training support through training collaboration and resources

- Ensure key market insights and market intelligence is captured and maintained through reporting systems

- Influence distributors and manufacturers to increase strategic focus on residential and commercial ASHP technologies (Level II)

- Act as a strategic advisor to the initiatives and product teams regarding market dynamics, structure, trends, and opportunities (Level II)

- Other duties as assigned or apparent

Develop & Deliver Resources and Training

- Contribute HVAC technical subject matter expertise to support continual growth and enhancement of educational resources for increase heat pump adoption

- Support the development of training curriculum for installation, program, and sales strategy in collaboration with the training team and market partners

- Contribute to resource development strategy in collaboration with ASHP initiative & partnering teams

- Lead resource development strategy across multiple initiatives (Level II)

- Deliver training to residential HVAC installation contractors to increase familiarity with efficient technology, understand installation best practices and sales techniques

- Provide cross training and lead additional training staff to effectively deliver technical training (Level II)

- Other duties as assigned or apparent

Track Market Trends

- Gather intelligence on market trends, competition, decision maker insights, the latest technologies, and general macroeconomic trends

- Act as subject matter expert on market trends and conditions; collect and share decision maker insights from industry partners

- Lead the process and implementation of distributor data collection to enable tracking and claiming of energy savings through ETA

- Participate in industry and national engagement to gather market intelligence, technology updates and contribute to program strategy development

- Track and understand technology research and national developments around ASHP technology to assist in the development of technical best practices and local resources

- Lead national engagement strategies and partnerships that advance ETA priorities (Level II)

- Bring existing relationships with key distributors and manufacturer representatives or demonstrated experience in acquiring and holding influential partnerships (Level II)

- Other duties as assigned or apparent

Skills & Knowledge We’re Looking For

Level I

- Strong motivation to work in the energy-efficiency field

- Proficiency in presentation delivery and meeting facilitation

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills

- Skilled in the distributor and supplier ecosystem

- 4+ years of technical experience in one of the following arenas:

- HVAC installer, distributor or manufacturer company

- HVAC training or sales in a related industry

- Energy-efficiency industry focusing on HVAC

- Degree or certification in a related field required (Business, HVAC, etc.) preferred

- Experience working with utility energy efficiency programs preferred

- An equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that would provide the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the successful performance of the essential job duties will also be considered

Level II

In addition to the above, Level II candidates will demonstrate:

- HVAC technical expertise with a focus on residential and/or commercial heat pump technology

- Experience influencing and managing partnerships/key business relationships

- Effective and captivating presentation delivery and meeting facilitation

- 7+ years of technical experience in one of the following arenas, including proven technical and market expertise in HVAC, especially ASHP technology:

- HVAC installer, distributor or manufacturer company

- HVAC training or sales in a related industry

- Energy-efficiency industry focusing on HVAC

Compensation

Dependent on qualifications and experience, we expect the pay range upon hire for the Level I position will be $83,000-93,000, and the range for the Level II position will be $95,000-105,000.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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