Senior Development Manager

Senior Development Manager

Renewable Energy | Utility-Scale Projects (Wind / Clean Energy)
Location: Flexible / Regional (U.S. & Canada)

The Opportunity

A leading renewable energy development platform is seeking a Senior Development Manager to lead the advancement of a portfolio of utility-scale clean energy projects from early-stage development through commercialization.

This is a high-impact leadership role for an experienced development professional who enjoys owning projects end-to-end, influencing strategy, and working cross-functionally across engineering, real estate, permitting, commercial, finance, and legal teams. Depending on business needs, this role may also include direct people leadership within a regional development team.

You will be empowered to make decisions, manage risk, and drive projects forward in a fast-moving, growth-oriented environment backed by a well-capitalized platform.

What You’ll Do

Project & Portfolio Leadership

• Own the execution of a regional portfolio of renewable energy development projects.

• Drive projects through key milestones including site control, permitting, interconnection, commercial agreements, financial close, and NTP.

• Identify, manage, and mitigate development risks while maintaining schedules and budgets.

• Lead internal approval processes and provide clear recommendations at major decision points.

• Maintain accurate, consistent project reporting through internal tracking systems.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the central point of coordination across development, engineering, real estate, construction, legal, finance, and commercial teams.

• Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and subject matter experts.

• Act as the internal “owner’s rep” for development fundamentals across the organization.

Land, Permitting & External Engagement

• Partner with real estate teams to execute land acquisition strategies, including negotiations for leases, easements, rights-of-way, and purchase agreements.

• Maintain proactive relationships with landowners, communities, utilities, and permitting agencies.

• Lead and coordinate local, state, and federal permitting processes.

• Negotiate key agreements such as road use agreements, conditional use permits, and tax abatements.

Consultant & Technical Oversight

• Manage external consultants (environmental, engineering, biological, aviation, etc.), including scopes, contracts, budgets, and performance.

• Collaborate with engineering teams to evaluate site layouts, constraints, technology options, interconnection strategies, and schedules.

• Oversee pre-construction activities such as geotechnical investigations and preliminary engineering.

Commercial & Business Development Support

• Support development acquisitions, joint ventures, and pipeline growth through due diligence and risk assessment.

• Serve as the development subject matter expert during commercialization discussions with sponsors, investors, and counterparties.

• Partner with finance and legal teams during tax equity, construction financing, and transaction processes.

People Leadership (as applicable)

• Manage and mentor one or two development professionals, as needed.

• Partner with leadership and HR on team development, performance, and growth planning.

What We’re Looking For

Experience & Background

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum 4+ years of experience in renewable energy development, with a strong focus on utility-scale wind or clean energy projects.

• Proven experience advancing projects to financial close, NTP, and COD.

• Deep understanding of land acquisition, permitting, interconnection, EPC coordination, and commercial structures.

• Strong knowledge of the North American power market, including regulatory, utility, and stakeholder dynamics.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong project management and prioritization skills in a multi-project environment.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to solve complex, cross-disciplinary challenges.

• Confident negotiator with strong attention to detail.

• Financially literate with experience evaluating project economics, risks, and value drivers.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills; comfortable representing projects internally and externally.

• Well-established industry network across developers, utilities, consultants, and counterparties.

Additional Requirements

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project collaboration tools.

• Willingness to travel approximately 20–50% within the U.S. and Canada.

Why This Role

• High visibility and ownership across marquee renewable energy projects.

• Opportunity to influence strategy, not just execute tasks.

• Collaborative, mission-driven culture focused on sustainability and long-term impact.

• Backed by a stable, well-resourced platform with room for growth.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary with performance-based incentives.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.

• Generous paid time off.

• 401(k) with employer match.

• Tuition assistance and professional development support.