Senior Director, Project Development

at Clearway Energy

San Francisco, California, United States

What The Role Is

Reporting to the Managing Director, Project Development, the Senior Director, Project Development is responsible for the development of wind, solar, and energy storage projects across the Northwest region. They will lead a regional team and are charged with orchestrating market strategy, project development, and execution of the construction of Clearway's renewable energy projects across the Northwest region. The position will oversee and help originate a portfolio of projects, coordinating with cross-functional teams including Origination, Permitting, Engineering, Project Finance, and Construction throughout the projects’ full lifecycle to successfully bring them to commercial operation.

Candidates should have professional experience in renewable energy project development with competencies across project siting, land and real estate, regulatory and environmental permitting, interconnection, and transmission and power marketing. Candidates should also have experience working with major equipment suppliers, and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors. Additionally, they should have a track record of successfully bringing one or more projects through a successful project financing process. Preferred experience with multiple generation technologies (wind, solar, storage, and thermal) and experience in the northwest working with utilities connecting to Bonneville Powers service territory.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead Northwest development strategy. Work with cross-functional team members to establish and execute on regional goals and prioritize resources.

• Manage and recruit northwest development managers.

• Maintain industry relationships/contacts and current knowledge of market drivers, industry trends, and competitive dynamics to facilitate proactive development posture and early-mover positioning as opportunities materialize.

• Manage and execute the development of complex large-scale renewable energy projects from initial project proposal and siting, through to permitting, design, interconnection, approval, contracting, financing, and handover to construction.

• Identify, propose, and implement creative or alternative project development approaches that reduce exposure to permitting risks, optimize development schedules, or create additional project value.

• Direct and conduct due diligence on development-stage project and portfolio acquisitions, including comparison and prioritization of multiple opportunities based on common siting, permitting, interconnection, power marketing, and other project metrics.

• Manage and administer development services agreements with local/regional development partners; manage a network of local project stakeholders (e.g., technical consultants, surveyors, land persons, etc.).

• Collaborate with the engineering team and external consultants to evaluate site layouts and constraints, technology options, schedule implications, interconnection applications, and studies.

• Coordinate and provide input to project interconnection requests, load-flow and congestion studies, and other necessary aspects of securing project transmission.

• Lead or support the negotiation and diligence of critical project contracts and agreements including PPAs, GIAs, equipment supply agreements, and EPC contracts.

• Conduct critical reviews of project pro forma models to ensure that the inputs accurately reflect the project design(s).

• Market development-stage projects for new power purchase and offtake agreements, including submitting responses to Request for Proposals (RFPs) in coordination with the origination team.

• Lead projects through financing diligence efforts to support obtaining cash equity, tax equity, and/or project debt commitments prior to start of construction, and at term-conversion.

• Create and manage project budgets and schedules, including navigating internal project stage-gate reviews and investment decisions.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, economics, finance, environmental science, or related field is required.

• Minimum of 12 years of experience in the renewable energy industry in the U.S., with direct experience in full life-cycle development of utility-scale solar and/or wind projects.

• Open to considering a director-level position, depending on experience.

• Experience and familiarity with all facets of land development: landowner engagement and negotiation/contracting, title resolution, subdivision, agricultural land use/water restrictions, land (ALTA) surveys, GIS, and other real estate elements as required.

• Experience managing project schedules and project budgets, as well as understanding of key project value levers (commercial, financial, etc.).

• Experience managing cross-functional employee groups (i.e., project teams) and external stakeholders/agencies to execute on a project development strategy.

• Understanding of the development life cycle of wind, solar, and storage projects preferred, along with exposure to the benefits and concerns of renewable energy.

• Knowledge of governmental mandates, environmental regulations, or customer/market signals that impact or facilitate new development of renewable projects in the Northwest.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to successfully communicate in all situations with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to manage simultaneous projects/work streams, set priorities, and exercise independent judgment.

• Ability to travel as required (>25%).

• If you don’t meet 100% of the above qualifications but see yourself contributing, please submit your resume.

What Would Be Nice

• Advanced study in business, finance, law, environmental science, or public policy highly preferred.

• Battery storage experience a plus.

• Working or living history in the Northwest with competent understanding of geography, demographics and existing regional energy mix.

Clearway will not sponsor nonimmigrant visas for this position (H-1B, TN, E-3, etc.).

#LIHybrid

The pay rate for the successful candidate will depend on geographic location, skills, relevant and demonstrated experience, education, training and certifications, and other factors permitted by law. This role is eligible to earn an annual cash bonus, subject to personal and company performance goals.

Salary Range Across all U.S. Locations

$220,000—$246,000 USD

Clearway Energy Group is leading the transition to a world powered by clean energy. Along with our public affiliate Clearway Energy, Inc., we own and operate 10 gigawatts of renewable and conventional energy assets across the country. As we develop a nationwide pipeline of new renewable energy projects for the future, Clearway’s 8 gigawatts of operating wind, solar, and energy storage assets offset the equivalent of more than 9 million metric tons of carbon emissions for our customers today. Clearway Energy Group is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Carlsbad, CA.; Scottsdale, AZ.; Houston, TX; Denver, CO; and Princeton, NJ. For more information, visit clearwayenergygroup.com.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

At Clearway, we create a community that isn’t about being the same – it’s about building a team of unique individuals, with different backgrounds & skill sets, coming together to build something big & make a difference in the world. Clearway’s team is dedicated to a clean energy future across a wide spectrum of roles & responsibilities. Embodying our company values and operating principles, unique individuals come together over a common mission. We embrace opportunities to do challenging work that can change the world. We aspire to bring out the best in everyone. We share setbacks, celebrate successes, & act with integrity & accountability to get the job done.

Working at Clearway, Hybrid Together

Here at Clearway, we’re committed to balancing flexibility while fostering strong relationships with our teammates. We do this by prioritizing new hires based near one of our offices in San Francisco, Carlsbad, Scottsdale, Houston, Denver, & Princeton. Our office-based employees typically work together from fabulous spaces on Tuesdays & Thursdays to collaborate & learn, build community, get to know one another, & enjoy company-provided meals & events.

Clearway Energy is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience & expertise. We intentionally foster a culture of inclusion that empowers our employees to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities & protected veterans to join the team. Clearway is a proud promoter of employment opportunities to our Military & Veterans.

What We Provide

Clearway offers all eligible employees working 20+ hours per week a comprehensive menu of benefits: generous PTO, medical, dental & vision care, HSAs with company contributions, health FSAs, dependent daycare FSAs, commuter benefits, relocation, & a 401(k) plan with employer match, a variety of life & accident insurances, fertility programs, adoption assistance, generous parental leave, tuition reimbursement, & benefits for employees in same-sex marriages, civil unions & domestic partnerships. For more on Clearway benefits, visit our Benefits Website (https://benefitsatclearway.com/) .

Notice to Applicants

Clearway Energy is strongly committed to a philosophy of equal opportunity and fully complies with equal employment laws (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf) , ordinances and regulations for all applicants and employees. We will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to apply and compete for employment opportunities for which they are qualified. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to recruiting@clearwayenergy.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Notice to California Applicants (https://www.clearwayenergygroup.com/california-consumer-protection-act-applicant-notice/)

Clearway Energy is strongly committed to a philosophy of equal opportunity and fully complies with equal employment laws (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf) , ordinances and regulations for all applicants and employees.