AVP, Project Development

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

Position Summary

The Area Vice President of Generation Project Development will oversee the strategic planning, development, and execution of utility-scale renewable (wind, solar, battery storage), dispatchable gas generation and other carbon free technology projects. This role is pivotal in advancing the company’s decarbonization goals while ensuring reliability, affordability, and regulatory compliance across multiple operating companies. The position will manage a multidisciplinary team and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver a large volume of high-impact energy infrastructure investments for a rapidly growing part of the business.

Essential Responsibilities

- Define and execute long-term strategies for renewable, gas generation and emerging technology development

- Align project development with corporate decarbonization goals and integrated resource plans

- Evaluate emerging technologies such as geothermal, long duration storage, nuclear and carbon-free fuels for integration into generation portfolios

- Lead all phases of project development including site selection, permitting, interconnection, stakeholder engagement, and financial structuring

- Lead a highly matrixed project development function to ensure coordination and alignment with internal stakeholders (e.g. Energy Supply, Major Projects Group, Corporate Development, Finance, Regulatory) and external partners (e.g. 3rd party project developments, equipment OEMs, EPC firms)

- Support diligence of project acquisitions

- Direct/coordinate supply chain selection, scheduling, cost estimating, and risk management for large-scale projects with internal and external stakeholders

- Manage project bids for submission into ongoing Operating Company Resource Plan RFPs

- Build and lead a multidisciplinary team of project managers, engineers, schedulers, and cost controllers

- Oversee organizational design and talent development to support growth and execution capacity

- Collaborate with internal regulatory and policy teams to prepare, file and secure approvals for projects

- Navigate evolving energy market dynamics and ensure compliance with legislative initiatives

- Engage with internal policy, regulatory and finance teams on ongoing legislation and regulation impact project development (e.g. permitting, tax policy)

- Cultivate relationships with developers, OEMs, EPCs, and community stakeholders

- Originate and advance competitive generation projects through strategic partnerships

Minimum Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree in technical or financial role or equivalent. MBA strongly desired.

- Ten+ years of experience in energy project development, business development or relevant experience with preference for at least 5 years in a leadership role.

- Proven track record in utility-scale renewable and gas generation project execution or relevant experience.

- Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, financial modeling, and stakeholder engagement.

- Excellent leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills.

- Capable of integrating technical, managerial and business judgment.

- Ability to interact effectively with executive level management and the Board of Directors.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $194,200.00 to $246,134.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Long Term Incentive, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 01/30/26

EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)

All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at recruiting@xcelenergy.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.