How to apply for Advisor — Utility Strategy (part-time)

About Comity

Comity is building a collateral product to drive reliable, transparent, and efficient systems for a 100% renewable energy future. Unlike typical climate tech startups, Comity focuses on the unglamorous but critical financial infrastructure—credit standards and utility engagement—needed to scale renewables. For a seasoned utility finance executive, this is a rare chance to shape how utilities manage credit risk in the energy transition, with a part-time commitment that leverages your expertise and network.

About the role

As a part-time Advisor for Utility Strategy, you will directly influence the design of Comity's collateral product to meet utility credit standards, guide engagement with key utility stakeholders, and stress-test the product's acceptance. You'll act as a sounding board on how utilities perceive credit risk, collateral, and counterparties, helping Comity refine its messaging and accelerate adoption. This role is ideal for a former utility treasurer, CFO, or senior credit/risk executive who wants to make a high-impact contribution without a full-time commitment.

A typical day

You might start your day with a call with Comity's product team to review collateral design features against utility credit standards. Later, you could reach out to a former colleague at a major utility to gauge interest and gather feedback, then debrief with Comity's founders on messaging adjustments. Your day wraps with a quick review of a term sheet or credit policy document, providing insights that shape the product's credibility.

Who Comity is looking for

• Former Treasurer, CFO, or senior credit/risk executive at a major electric utility, with direct experience managing counterparty credit exposure and collateral instruments.
• Possesses a deep network across the utility sector, including strong relationships with credit, treasury, and risk decision-makers.
• Understands utility credit standards, risk appetite, and the practical realities of collateral management in today's power markets.
• Can anticipate objections and explain what utilities really care about, with the credibility to open doors and influence senior stakeholders.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific examples of collateral instruments you've managed (e.g., letters of credit, cash collateral, guarantees) and how they impacted utility credit decisions.
• Quantify your network: mention the number of utility credit/treasury contacts you maintain and any past successes in convening or influencing them.
• Explain why you're interested in part-time advising and how you can commit to ongoing engagement without conflicting with your current roles.
• Demonstrate familiarity with Comity's mission by referencing the challenges of collateral in renewable energy markets and how your experience addresses them.
• Use your cover letter to propose a concrete approach for the first 30 days, such as mapping key stakeholders or reviewing the product against utility credit standards.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience as a utility treasurer/CFO/credit executive, emphasizing decisions you made regarding counterparty credit and collateral.', "Your network's depth and relevance: name specific utilities or associations you can reach and how you've leveraged such connections before.", "Your understanding of utility credit standards and how you would apply them to shape Comity's collateral product.", "Your motivation for joining Comity's mission and how your part-time advisory role can accelerate their utility engagement strategy."]

Research before applying

• Research Comity's product: understand what collateral product they are building and how it differs from traditional instruments.
• Study recent utility credit risk trends: look at reports from EEI, NARUC, or FERC on collateral practices and renewable integration.
• Identify key utilities and industry associations that Comity might target, and map potential contacts in your network.
• Understand the competitive landscape: who else is addressing collateral for renewables, and what gaps Comity fills.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Can you walk us through a time you assessed a new collateral instrument or counterparty credit risk? What factors did you consider?
• How would you identify and prioritize the right stakeholders within a utility to engage for a product like ours?
• What are the most common objections utilities raise about new collateral products, and how would you address them?
• Describe your network in the utility sector. How would you activate it to support Comity's education and adoption efforts?
• How do you see the role of collateral evolving in power markets as renewable penetration increases?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Being too vague about your utility experience—avoid general statements like 'I know the industry' without concrete examples of credit/collateral decisions.
• Underestimating the part-time nature: don't imply you're looking for a full-time role or can't commit to ongoing advisory work.
• Focusing only on your network without demonstrating how you would apply your expertise to product design and messaging.