Interconnection Project Manager (DG) - Internal NLE candidates only
New Leaf EnergyChicago, Illinois
INTERN
Posted September 3, 2026
$113k - $131k
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Job Description
New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market-competitive base salary, plus above-market variable compensation, plus an equity-like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership.
Key Responsibilities
- In this role you should have exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate interconnection-related efforts between Engineering, Project Finance, Accounting, and Operations. You will possess a technical skill set that enables accurate interpretation of utility feedback and an understanding of the implications on development, engineering, and construction efforts. You should have the ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in your markets, while also being able to maintain a strategic perspective on the holistic interconnection environment on a regional basis.
- Represent New Leaf as the primary point of contact for all utility communications;
- Leadership of all utility interactions and meetings, including conflict resolutions;
- Lead interconnection due diligence and research for new market entry (process implementation, dynamic entrepreneurial problem solving, and relationship building);
- Create and maintain utility/region-specific project management infrastructure, trackers, reports, and other project management tools to assist in the development strategy;
- Owning the full interconnection lifecycle. Interpret and organize utility requirements and feedback; synthesize and communicate risks to the cross-functional members of the development team;
- Proactively monitor utility performance to identify risks to the critical path, autonomously escalate issues, and negotiate positive outcomes;
- Serve as the interconnection process subject matter expert (utility behavior/tariff guidelines) for the development team, and act as an internal consultant to assist with strategic decision-making;
- Handle project-level disputes and successfully negotiate positive outcomes with utilities;
- Identify opportunities for improvement, and lead the implementation of countermeasures;
- Own the interconnection application submittal packages, coordinating with internal cross-functional teams and external consultants;
- Own cash flow forecasting (payment amounts, target/due dates, and required form of payment), which will require a strong understanding of financial accounting, cost-benefit analysis, and utility payment policies. ;
- Understand and apply continuous improvement tools, value stream mapping, and change management;
- Evaluate, onboard, and manage 3rd party consultants;
- Develop and maintain a consistent record as each project navigates the interconnection process lifecycle;
- Coordinate signatures, approvals, payments for applications, impact studies, and interconnection agreements.
Requirements
- While no one individual will possess them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences, skills, and attributes. If you’re unsure whether you meet enough of the qualifications below but believe that your experience and skill set is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply!
- 4+ years of relevant experience with preference given to those with energy and direct electric utility experience;
- Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Policy, Finance, Business, Environmental Science, Project Management preferred);
- Strong project management, reporting, and technical skills, preferably in Salesforce and Smartsheet/Microsoft Project;
- Excitement about growing along with a fast-paced, dynamic company; comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to build, experiment, and iterate when the path forward is undefined;
- A passion for renewable energy, addressing the climate crisis, and accelerating the clean energy transformation.
Benefits & Perks
- New Leaf Energy’s success is driven by our collaborative, long-term relationships based on trust and transparency. We offer a flexible work environment that places significant responsibility in independent teams and creates opportunities for innovation and personal growth. New Leaf Energy’s benefits are designed to appropriately recognize our employees’ contributions and enable a reasonable work/life balance. Our benefits include:
- Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental and vision;
- A 401k plan with immediate vesting and a company match (100% of the first three percent of your pay; 50% for the next two percent you contribute);
- An open and self-managed paid time-off policy;
- A hybrid work location policy that supports working from home for part of the week;
- A parental leave policy for both birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire;
- Professional development and education assistance.
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