Senior Project Developer - DG Solar and BESS - Up-State New York / Hybrid

SENIOR PROJECT DEVELOPER - DG Solar and BESS - Up-State New York / Hybrid

SUMMARY

The Senior Project Developer is responsible for leading the development of distributed generation solar and energy storage projects from initial site origination through construction readiness and handoff to the delivery team.

This position will oversee all aspects of project development, including site identification and evaluation, land acquisition, permitting, utility interconnection, budgeting, risk management, and due diligence through late-stage development.

The Senior Project Developer will work collaboratively with internal teams, landowners, municipalities, utilities, consultants, regulatory authorities, and other third-party stakeholders to ensure projects progress efficiently, remain within approved budgets and schedules, and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Comprehensive knowledge of solar and energy storage project development
• Understanding of land use, zoning, permitting, and environmental regulations
• Knowledge of utility interconnection processes and requirements
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead distributed generation solar and energy storage projects from initial site origination through construction readiness and handoff to the delivery team.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, development budgets, risk assessments, milestone trackers, and project plans.
• Identify project risks and develop and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate and support utility interconnection activities in collaboration with engineering and other project teams, including applications, studies, approvals, milestones, and ongoing utility communications.
• Identify, evaluate, and secure potential project sites through feasibility assessments, market research, and development opportunity analysis.
• Conduct market and regulatory research to identify opportunities for expansion into new markets.
• Monitor interconnection queue positions, project milestones, system upgrade requirements, timelines, and associated costs.
• Negotiate and manage land leases, purchase agreements, easements, rights-of-way, and other real estate agreements through execution and applicable closing or payment milestones.
• Develop project-specific permitting strategies and coordinate zoning approvals, site plan reviews, special-use permits, variances, and other required municipal approvals.
• Ensure projects comply with applicable federal, state, and local environmental, land use, and permitting requirements.
• Coordinate environmental, geotechnical, survey, civil engineering, hydrological, title, and other due diligence activities.
• Collaborate with engineering teams regarding project layouts, site constraints, constructability, design development, and utility coordination.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with municipalities, utilities, landowners, consultants, regulatory agencies, community representatives, and other stakeholders.
• Represent our client at municipal meetings, public hearings, industry events, stakeholder meetings, and community outreach activities.
• Support project financing, commercial transactions, and project sales activities as required.
• Identify and manage applicable incentive programs, funding opportunities, and grant applications.
• Prepare executive-level reports, project status updates, development schedules, pipeline reports, and other management information.
• Manage consultant scopes of work, development agreements, contracts, project documentation, and associated budgets.
• Coordinate the transition of projects to Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Operations teams, ensuring a complete and well-documented development handoff.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, Planning, Real Estate, Project Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant professional experience may be cons…