Director, Development

LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) is a high-growth renewable energy company forging a sustainable future through integrity, innovation, and positive impact. We own and operate 30 large wind, solar, and energy storage projects across the United States, totaling over 3 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity.

LRE has an ambitious goal of 10GW of operating assets by 2028 and are developing and contracting an increasing pipeline of new projects every year. We take a full-lifecycle approach to our projects, built on a long-term ownership model and a company culture dedicated to our community partners and protecting the environment.

Location:

Phoenix, AZ

Job Summary:

The Development Director provides support for a growing organization in a fast-paced environment. The Development Director will focus on identifying and securing new solar, wind, and energy storage project development sites, negotiating land agreements, managing interconnection requests, evaluating project viability, and managing tasks from inception to pre-NTP. This role will also identify and evaluate project acquisitions and strategic partnering opportunities.

Responsibilities:

- Lead market analysis and site selection for greenfield development

- Establish regional portfolio development strategy in collaboration with commercial and technical peers.

- Identify and facilitate project acquisitions

- Negotiate real estate agreements and maintain landowner relationships

- Manage environmental assessment campaigns and associated external consultants

- Manage project permitting, development agreement, and tax abatement activities. Provide guidance and set permitting strategy in collaboration with SMEs to achieve successful completion of project development activities.

- Direct resource management campaigns and energy production estimates

- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and consultants to appropriately manage the electrical interconnection process

- Collaborate with peer groups such as legal, commercial, engineering, asset management, and government affairs

- Determine the financial viability of projects together with the project finance department

- Represent the company at regional industry association meetings and caucuses

- Support the preparation of RFP responses

- Prepare project budgets and schedules

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree (engineering concentration desirable), MBA a strong plus.

- Minimum 7 years of previous experience in energy project development, preferably in solar, wind, BESS, or natural gas electricity generation projects.

- Solid understanding of the development process of major power projects

- Ability to deal with local community dynamics, negotiate with utilities, as well as negotiate effectively with landowners and other stakeholders.

- Demonstrate successful completion of complex, large-scale renewable energy projects from inception through permitting (to NTP desirable). Experience in renewable energy issues and economics.

- Experience in US power markets, utilities, interconnection issues, and Power Purchase Agreements including understanding of regional energy trends including financing, stakeholder, regulatory and market dynamics to position the organization effectively.

- Technical understanding of power projects

- Ability to define and drive the organization’s long-term development goals and specific areas of focus.

- Understanding of fundamental financial concepts underlying investments and impacts and key drivers on returns

- Excellent project management skills with a highly organized approach

- Proven track record on talent development, mentorship, and fostering a collaborative work culture

Physical Demands:

- Position will require sitting for long periods of time.

- Occasionally lift 20-pound or more

- Willingness and ability to travel at least 20% of time

Leeward Management Services, LLC is committed to employing a diverse workforce and provides equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies:

Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting vendors or employment agencies. Only recruiting vendors with a current, signed agreement in place with LRE are authorized to submit resumes for specific, requested positions. All unsolicited resumes and candidate profiles submitted to LRE, or any LRE employee, without an active agreement or written request from LRE’s HR Department, will be considered property of LRE. LRE will not be responsible for any fees or expenses associated with unsolicited resumes or candidates submitted in this manner.