Director of Project Development – Solar (West Coast)
This position supports greenfield development and project acquisition opportunities within the project development organization for Solar PV and hybrid (PV + BESS) projects. The role focuses on development activities in specific energy markets. Job responsibilities include providing analytical and project management support across the development lifecycle of greenfield, co-development, and acquired projects. The candidate will collaborate with internal team members and external partners on tracking and reporting project schedules, budgets, expenditures, and other critical development matters. Additionally, the role involves conducting research, analyses, and supporting workstreams on land, grid, regulatory frameworks, permitting processes, local incentives, and abatements, as well as assisting with necessary project filings. Successful applicants will have experience in project development and management, with a strong ability to research and present data. The position offers opportunities for career growth in a dynamic environment.
Responsibilities
Key duties include but are not limited to:
- Support project development efforts, including greenfield projects in selected markets, by working on land acquisition, interconnection studies, contract administration, surveys, and other due diligence activities.
- Assist in GIS-based prospecting and project origination by gathering and analyzing critical data on markets, energy infrastructure, land, grid, regulatory frameworks, permitting processes, and various incentives to efficiently screen and prioritize project opportunities.
- Create and review project reports, summaries of deliverables, budgets, schedules, contracts, and other documents for active projects.
- Coordinate with external partners to manage project deliverables, including timelines, budgets, documents, and data rooms, under development agreements.
- Implement and maintain a project development and management platform for tracking project and pipeline-level expenses, progress, and key issues.
- Serve as a liaison between project management and internal departments such as Finance and Accounts to align on pipeline spending projections, budgets, variances, payment obligations, and related management reporting.
- Maintain up-to-date project pipelines and summaries to support offtake and financing activities.
- Collaborate with team members to create pipeline decision documents to justify incremental project spending and support ongoing development strategies.
- Act as a repository for various project assumptions, ensuring consistency and controlled updates.
- Review project acquisition data rooms to assess project status, investment requirements, risks, and development completeness, and prepare summaries for timely project opportunity appraisals. With support from senior management, create investment committee papers for project approval.
- Research and maintain a list of potential co-development partners, including cold calling to support project origination and brand awareness.
Qualifications, Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, energy-related field, or a relevant discipline.
- 5+ years of experience in renewable energy project development.
- Hands-on experience in specific energy markets.
- Experience in creating, reviewing, and managing contracts, schedules, and budgets.
Competencies
The following skills, knowledge, and attributes are necessary for success in this role:
- Ability to work efficiently and diligently to accomplish key responsibilities promptly.
- Capability to thrive in a fast-paced, start-up environment and contribute hands-on.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Excellent written, oral communication, and organizational skills.
- Strong cross-cultural relationship-building and influencing skills at all organizational levels.
- Flexible, cooperative, with a well-developed team spirit and motivation for team success.
- Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively in a team, support others outside of direct responsibilities, and collaborate with diverse skillsets.
- Proficiency with project management and budgeting platforms such as MS Project, Oracle Primavera, Monday.com, Smartsheets, Zoho, etc.
- Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and other relevant software, with the ability to work effectively on spreadsheets, word processing, networking, and email programs.
Oscar Associates Limited (US) is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.