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Director or Sr. Director, Development Utility-Scale Renewable Energy

Avantus
San Diego, California
Full Time
Posted October 22, 2025
$174k - $233k
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Job Description

The position involves leading the development of utility-scale solar photovoltaic projects, managing project lifecycle activities including permitting, agreements, financial analysis, and stakeholder engagement, with the goal of delivering affordable, zero-emission energy solutions.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop utility-scale solar power generation projects from inception to completion
  • Manage project budgets, schedules, objectives, and deliverables
  • Negotiate and oversee agreements such as tax abatements, land use, interconnection, and offtake agreements
  • Conduct site evaluations and engage with community, local, and state stakeholders
  • Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and consultants to ensure project timelines and budgets are met
  • Assist with permitting and environmental compliance during construction and operation
  • Perform financial feasibility analysis and support project financing efforts
  • Lead project initiatives independently, including task forces and development programs
  • Manage project economic analysis, including key drivers, pricing, and cash flow forecasting
  • Oversee project schedule and resource allocation, ensuring milestones are achieved
  • Supervise a small team of analysts, associates, or managers
  • Act as a key collaborator within the development team to improve processes and project outcomes

Requirements

  • Proven experience in the energy industry, specifically in energy infrastructure development in WECC and CAISO regions.
  • Extensive knowledge of the full-cycle of utility-scale renewable power generation development and marketing.
  • Extensive knowledge of interconnection, permitting, real estate, state and federal regulation, utility procurement goals, politics, law, and other issues that impact development of renewable energy projects in the eastern energy markets.
  • Detailed understanding of the interconnection process study process, contracting, utility requirements, financial obligations, and scope execution by utilities to both site projects optimally and to advance them through COD.
  • Solid understanding of economic drivers for renewable energy projects.
  • Ability to communicate and sync cross-functionally on a regular basis to minimize project risks.
  • Ability to independently lead development project initiatives or programs and run a project from start to finish.
  • Experience in managing tax abatements, land use agreements, mitigation settlements, interconnection agreements, offtake agreements, and various other agreements.
  • Experience in managing project budgets, objectives, schedules, and deliverables for assigned development projects.
  • Ability to travel to site locations to evaluate sites.
  • Experience engaging community, local, and state institutions for project support.
  • Experience managing contractors, vendors, and consultants to maintain project timeline and budget.
  • Assist with permitting and environmental compliance throughout the construction and operation of projects.
  • Work with finance and optimization departments during financial feasibility analysis, evaluation, and finance.
  • Ability to lead development project initiatives or programs independently and act as a trusted collaborator for continuous improvement.
  • Project ownership responsibility as the lead developer, including sign-off on project pricing and all inputs, and promoting all executive committee discussions and approvals.
  • Experience in approving project cash flow forecasts and project spend approvals.
  • Ability to own and manage a project schedule.
  • Ability to manage a team of 0-2 Analysts, Associates, or Managers.
  • Highly proficient in MS Excel (advanced proficiency required), Project, Word, PowerPoint, and Google Earth.
  • Independent self-starter who can meet deadlines and deliver quality products with minimal oversight.
  • Substantial ability to recognize opportunities, identify and evaluate risks in a development context, and effectively communicate the foregoing.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate contracts and financing agreements into concise financial and economic analysis.
  • Ability to manage a large workload, prioritize tasks, and juggle competing deadlines effectively.
  • Detail-oriented with a strong sense of personal responsibility and ownership of work product.
  • Excellent personal organizational and pattern recognition skills.

Benefits & Perks

Competitive compensation with an excellent benefits package
401(k) matching
Comprehensive medical and dental plan options
Flexible PTO

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