Country Director - Thailand
New Energy Nexus · Bangkok
Who We Are
New Energy Nexus (NEX) is an international nonprofit organization supporting entrepreneurs and innovators building the future of clean energy. Across more than 15 countries, we accelerate startups, strengthen clean energy ecosystems, and develop market-based solutions that accelerate the global transition to a clean energy economy.
NEX does not develop or sell energy projects itself. We identify gaps that slow clean-energy adoption and bring together entrepreneurs, companies, investors, public-sector stakeholders and funders to address them. Our work is delivered through practical programs such as startup acceleration, workforce development, grants, training, market-access initiatives and industry partnerships, supported by philanthropic, public-sector and corporate funding.
NEX has operated in Thailand since 2018. Today, the Thailand chapter is focused on two connected areas: scaling Distributed Energy, including rooftop solar workforce and market development; and building new pathways for Industry Decarbonization by connecting relevant technologies and entrepreneurs with corporate needs.
The Role
New Energy Nexus is seeking a hands-on, entrepreneurial leader to strengthen NEX Thailand as a resilient, high-performing organization and a trusted clean-energy market builder.
This is a Thailand-first leadership role. The Country Director will lead the team, strategy, financial sustainability, organizational development, partnerships and program portfolio, with two immediate strategic priorities:
- Strengthen and scale the established Distributed Energy work, ensuring strong delivery, institutional resilience and continued market relevance.
- Assess NEX Thailand's existing assets and market opportunities in Industry Decarbonization, then define priority sectors, validate the business model, and build the partnerships, team and funding needed to develop this vertical.
The Country Director will work across the Thai clean-energy ecosystem, connecting entrepreneurs and smaller businesses with corporates, funders, investors, public-sector actors and other partners. They will need to understand the interests, constraints and incentives of different market participants and turn those insights into practical programs, partnerships and funding opportunities.
NEX Thailand operates with a lean team. The successful candidate will therefore be equally comfortable setting direction, representing the organization externally and doing the hands-on work of building teams, systems and delivery capacity. They will build on what already exists while taking ownership of what comes next.
Core Accountabilities & Key Responsibilities
Lead Vision, Strategy & Organizational Growth
- Lead and execute a focused multi-year strategy for NEX Thailand around Distributed Energy and Industry Decarbonization.
- Use local-market analysis, partner insight and evidence to identify market gaps where NEX can create distinctive value and measurable impact.
- Make deliberate choices about where the chapter should - and should not - focus, balancing current delivery with longer-term growth opportunities.
- Translate strategic objectives into clear annual priorities, workplans, organizational goals and program or partnership platforms.
- Monitor changes in policy, technology, funding and market demand and adapt the chapter's direction when evidence requires it.
Fundraising & Partnerships
- Build on existing and adjacent relationships to develop a diversified pipeline of foundation, corporate, public-sector, multilateral and philanthropic funding opportunities, with support from NEX's global leadership.
- Shape credible, fundable programs and partnerships that respond to real market needs and strengthen NEX Thailand's long-term sustainability.
- Lead or contribute substantially to proposal development, funder engagement, partnership negotiations and relationship management.
- Develop strategic partnerships across the clean-energy ecosystem that improve program delivery, market access and organizational impact.
- Communicate NEX Thailand's results, learning and value proposition credibly to funders, partners, the global NEX network and the wider ecosystem.
- Oversee annual budgeting, financial planning, resource allocation and organizational performance.
Program Implementation & Team Development
- Lead and develop a high-performing, collaborative team and ensure NEX Thailand delivers consistently strong results.
- Assess current capabilities and build the team, management practices and operating rhythm needed for the next phase of the chapter's development.
- Ensure the established Distributed Energy portfolio delivers high-quality outcomes in workforce development, entrepreneur support and market activation.
- Lead the validation and development of Industry Decarbonization by assessing market gaps, corporate demand, potential sectors, technologies, partners and sustainable delivery models.
- Oversee NEX Thailand's portfolio of startup acceleration, commercialization, workforce development and ecosystem programs.
- Ensure programs are informed by market evidence, entrepreneur and partner feedback, and clear impact objectives.
- Build long-term program platforms and organizational capabilities rather than relying only on one-off projects or grants.
- Establish appropriate impact measurement, learning and reporting practices, and use evidence to improve programs and resource allocation.
- Develop team members as credible external representatives and future leaders, and foster an inclusive culture of learning, ambition, accountability and care.
Organizational Governance & Operations
- Establish clear roles, decision rights, management practices and ways of working that enable accountability, collaboration, transparency and autonomy.
- Oversee appropriate legal, governance and operational arrangements for NEX Thailand and ensure compliance with local regulations and NEX global policies.
- Oversee financial management, organizational risk and operational performance.
- Strengthen the systems and institutional capacity needed for sustainable growth and effective program delivery.
External Leadership & NEX Network Collaboration
- Represent NEX Thailand as a credible speaker, convener, thought partner and ambassador within Thailand's clean-energy ecosystem.
- Build trusted relationships with corporates, entrepreneurs, funders, investors, public-sector actors, utilities, development partners and industry organizations.
- Develop NEX Thailand's reputation as a practical bridge builder that helps different market actors overcome persistent barriers to clean-energy adoption and commercialization.
- Share knowledge and best practices across the global NEX network and contribute to cross-country initiatives where they support Thailand's strategy.
Requirements
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a clean-energy institution builder and entrepreneurial general manager: someone who can lead externally while doing the internal work of strengthening a lean team, organizational systems, funding and delivery capacity.
The ideal candidate is:
- Passionate about accelerating Thailand's clean-energy transition and motivated by NEX's mission.
- A hands-on leader who takes ownership, works comfortably with incomplete information and follows through on execution.
- Experienced in building or strengthening a team, business unit, organization, platform or major program - not only administering an established portfolio.
- Able to analyze the local market, understand the needs and constraints of different actors, and translate insight into practical programs, partnerships or business models.
- Commercially and financially literate, while comfortable working in a mission-driven nonprofit environment.
- Credible with senior external stakeholders and able to move between team leadership, market development, program design and funding conversations.
- A systems thinker who can connect entrepreneurs, markets, policy and partnerships without losing sight of practical delivery.
- Highly collaborative, relationship-oriented and effective in an international, matrixed environment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business, clean energy, entrepreneurship or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Approximately 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in clean energy, innovation, entrepreneurship, market development, sustainability or a related field, including substantial leadership responsibility.
- Demonstrated success building, transforming or stabilizing a team, organization, business unit, chapter, innovation platform or significant program.
- Direct experience managing people and owning operational, financial or program outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze and develop local markets in Thailand, including aligning the interests and operating constraints of entrepreneurs, smaller businesses, corporates and other relevant actors.
- Credible understanding of clean-energy markets, technologies and innovation ecosystems. Deep engineering expertise is not required.
- Evidence of creating a new program, platform, partnership or business model from an early or ambiguous stage and taking responsibility for implementation.
- Experience shaping and materially advancing funding or strategic partnership opportunities through grants, corporate partnerships, public-sector funding, philanthropy or other relevant models.
- Strong financial, operational and organizational management capabilities.
- Professional fluency in Thai and English, with excellent written and verbal communication and the ability to represent NEX with senior local and international stakeholders.
- Ability to think strategically while executing effectively in a dynamic, entrepreneurial and resource-conscious environment.
Experience in One or More of the Following
- Distributed energy, rooftop solar, energy efficiency or related clean-energy markets.
- Industrial decarbonization, climate-tech commercialization or corporate clean-energy innovation.
- Startup acceleration, venture building, innovation ecosystems or technology commercialization.
- Public-private partnerships, corporate partnerships or market-development initiatives.
- International development, donor-funded programs or mission-driven organizations.
- Building organizations or business units through change, growth or complexity.
Helpful but not required: direct solar project-development or engineering experience, an extensive government network, previous Country Director experience, or regional leadership across Southeast Asia. Strong Thailand-market credibility and demonstrated institution-building capability matter more.
Why Join New Energy Nexus?
This role offers a unique opportunity to build on an established eight-year track record while shaping the next phase of Thailand's clean-energy transition.
As Country Director, you will strengthen an existing team, program portfolio, funding base and network of relationships. You will help scale NEX Thailand's established Distributed Energy work while building a new Industry Decarbonization vertical that connects practical climate solutions with real corporate and market needs.
This is an opportunity for a leader who enjoys both building on what exists and imagining what comes next - someone who can preserve the relationships, knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit NEX Thailand has developed while bringing the organizational discipline, commercial judgment and hands-on leadership needed for its next chapter.
You will also contribute insight and learning to the global New Energy Nexus network and collaborate with other chapters where this strengthens NEX Thailand's work.
Benefits
LOCATION
The role is based in Bangkok, Thailand, with a hybrid working arrangement. It requires regular engagement with partners, entrepreneurs, government, communities and other ecosystem actors across Thailand, as well as periodic regional and international travel.
TO APPLY, TIMELINE, AND PROCESS
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible
- Submit your resume, cover letter and responses to our application questions.
- Click the “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” button to begin your application.
- Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until filled.
New Energy Nexus is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, citizenship status, disability status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression of an otherwise qualified individual, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law. New Energy Nexus hires and promotes individuals on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. We strongly encourage diverse applicants to apply.