Associate Director, Utility Scale Development

Kintec Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Kintec Search is seeking an Associate Director or Senior Manager for Utility Scale Development to lead a portfolio of solar, wind, and energy storage projects from greenfielding to COD. You will manage cross-functional teams, liaise with internal experts and external consultants, and drive successful project execution across the full lifecycle.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex permitting, interconnection, and financing processes in the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business/economics, environmental science, or relevant fields.
• Minimum 7 years' of work experience in renewable energy infrastructure (US wind/solar/storage).
• Exceptional project management skills.
• Motivated self-starter with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to multi-task and work independently or in a team.
• Strong leadership and communication; able to meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office and Teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage customer relationships.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.
• Office-based role with some travel to other offices and field locations.
• Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations.

Responsibilities

• Develop a portfolio of utility-scale Solar, Wind and Energy Storage projects, from greenfielding to start of construction.
• Serve as project lead, managing large cross-functional project teams.
• Manage the full project lifecycle, coordinating with internal SMEs and external consultants (land control, environmental permitting, interconnection, engineering, energy yield, tax abatements, power marketing, tax equity).
• Manage cost estimating and EPC bidding to firm up CAPEX with Precon and Procurement teams.
• Optimize engineering design.
• Provide support during the construction phase to ensure successful COD.
• Support more junior Development Managers / Associates.
• Understand key drivers of financial attractiveness and identify best locations with commercial and technical teams.
• Drive project competitiveness via technical, commercial and financial levers.
• Lead due diligence of project acquisitions with M&A team.
• Prepare management presentations and drive internal approvals.
• Manage project budgets, objectives, schedules, and deliverables.
• Participate in regional strategy and internal improvement initiatives.
• Provide support during construction for COD.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Multi-tasking

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Associate Director or SR Manager, Utility Scale Development

Role Responsibilities:

• Develop a portfolio of utility-scale Solar, Wind and Energy Storage projects, from greenfielding to start of construction
• Serve as project lead, managing large cross-functional project teams
• Manage the full project lifecycle, working with a strong backbone of internal subject matter experts and external consultants. This includes site due diligence, securing land control agreements, environmental and permitting, interconnection, engineering & pre-construction, energy yield, tax abatements, power marketing, and tax equity financing
• Manage cost estimating and EPC bidding process to firm up CAPEX as collaborating with Precon and Procurement teams
• Manage optimization of engineering design
• Provide support during the construction phase to ensure successful COD.
• Support more junior Development Managers / Associates that are in the lead of individual projects
• Understand the key drivers for project’s financial attractiveness and identify best project locations in collaboration with commercial and technical teams
• Drive project competitiveness optimization, via technical, commercial and financial levers
• Lead the due diligence of project acquisitions, in collaboration with M&A team
• Prepare management presentations and drive internal approval processes
• Manage project budgets, objectives, schedules, and deliverables for assigned development projects
• Actively participate in the strategy for the region and internal improvement initiatives
• Provide support during the construction phase to ensure successful COD

Job Requirements and Experiences:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business/economics, environmental science, or relevant fields
• Minimum 7 years' of work experience applicable to renewable energy infrastructure, including experience in developing wind, solar, or battery storage projects in the US
• Exceptional project management skills
• Motivated self-starter, goal-oriented, and strong problem-solving abilities
• Ability to multi-task, while working independently and as part of a team
• Strong leadership and communication, and ability to meet deadlines
• Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate multiple tasks and deliverables
• Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to manage customer relationships
• Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Teams
• Proven ability to empathize, build relationships, and effectively communicate with people from a diverse set of backgrounds
• Responds well to direction, is easy to challenge and develop, and is coachable
• Detail-oriented, has strong business acumen, and a sound understanding of business concepts
• Strong problem-solving abilities, interpersonal skills, attention to detail and work ethic
• Ability to travel up to 50%
• This position is an office-based role with some travel and visits to other offices and field locations
• Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time