Business Development Strategist

EDL Energy; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

EDL Energy is seeking an experienced Business Development Strategist to identify and evaluate opportunities in renewable energy markets, support growth strategies, and drive project origination from assessment to execution.

The role requires strong analytical abilities, financial modeling skills, and excellent communication to collaborate with internal teams and external partners, with travel to project locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 5+ years in business development, commercial management, project development, strategic planning, or financial analysis in relevant industries.
• Experience with renewable energy, RNG, landfill gas, environmental attributes, or energy commodities preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial modeling skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building abilities.

Responsibilities

• Identify, research, and evaluate new business opportunities in renewable energy, RNG, LFGTE, and environmental commodity markets.
• Support development and execution of growth strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Assist with origination and advancement of new projects from opportunity assessment through execution.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.

Skills

Business development

Commercial management

Project development

Strategic planning

Financial analysis

Financial modeling

Market research

Communication

Relationship-building

Presentation skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Energy Management, or related field

Job description

Key Areas of Responsibility

Business Development & Strategy

• Identify, research, and evaluate new business opportunities within renewable energy, renewable natural gas (RNG), landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE), and environmental commodity markets.
• Support the development and execution of growth strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Assist with the origination and advancement of new projects from initial opportunity assessment through execution.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop business cases and strategic recommendations for new investments, acquisitions, partnerships, and expansion opportunities.

Commercial Analysis & Market Intelligence

• Analyze renewable energy, environmental commodity, and carbon markets to identify opportunities for value creation.
• Monitor and assess regulatory developments, market trends, commodity pricing, and industry dynamics.
• Prepare financial models, project evaluations, forecasting analyses, and scenario assessments to support business decisions.
• Generate reports, presentations, and dashboards to communicate findings and provide actionable insights to management.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning processes.

Energy Markets & Environmental Attributes

• Assist in the management and optimization of renewable energy credits, Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), carbon credits, and associated environmental attributes.
• Support the registration, certification, reporting, and compliance requirements for environmental programs.
• Coordinate commodity transactions and maintain supporting documentation and records.
• Track regulatory changes affecting environmental markets and renewable energy programs.

Project Development & Commercial Support

• Support the evaluation and development of renewable energy projects through technical, commercial, and financial assessments.
• Assist with due diligence activities, project economics, and investment evaluations.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders during project development and implementation.
• Support contract administration and commercial agreement management.
• Participate in negotiations and discussions with customers, vendors, utilities, municipalities, and project partners.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain productive relationships with customers, landowners, municipalities, business partners, brokers, consultants, and regulatory agencies.
• Represent the company during customer meetings, site visits, industry events, and conferences.
• Support stakeholder engagement efforts throughout project development and operational phases.
• Coordinate communication between internal teams and external partners to ensure successful project execution.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with Operations, Engineering, Finance, Legal, Environmental Compliance, and Executive Leadership teams.
• Support strategic initiatives and special projects across the organization.
• Contribute to process improvements and continuous enhancement of business development and commercial practices.
• Prepare executive-level presentations and reports for leadership review.
• Actively ensure own health and safety and the health and safety of others through understanding and implementing workplace health and safety obligations
• Support and comply with Company policies and procedures as advised and documented in the Company’s employment policies as amended from time to time and as directed by Managers/Supervisors
• In addition to the duties set out above, the Business Development Strategist may be expected to perform other duties as assigned from time to time by the Company

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Energy Management, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in business development, commercial management, project development, strategic planning, or financial analysis in the renewable energy, environmental services, infrastructure, or energy industries.
• Exposure to renewable energy markets, RNG, landfill gas, environmental attribute programs, or energy commodities preferred.
• Experience supporting contract negotiations, partnerships, or commercial transactions is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with compliance, audit, or certification processes is a plus.
• Financial modeling and data analysis proficiency.
• Ability to interpret complex market, operational, and financial information.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across diverse teams.
• Willingness to travel as needed to customer sites, industry events, and project locations.

EDL is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer