Director, Development (West)

Strata Clean Energy; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Strata Clean Energy is seeking a Director (open to Senior Manager) to lead a portfolio of utility-scale solar and battery storage projects across the Southwestern and Western U.S. This hands-on role requires coordinating permitting, interconnection, engineering, legal, origination and commercial teams to move projects from origination through development to readiness for investment.

The successful candidate will mentor junior staff, manage complex budgets and schedules, and report to the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, planning, real estate, management, business or related field.
• 7+ years of utility-scale renewable energy development experience.
• Proven ability to independently advance complex projects through permitting and interconnection.
• Strong working knowledge of Western permitting regimes, private, state and federal land processes and utility-scale interconnection pathways.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple utility-scale solar and battery storage projects through development stages from site origination to NTP, sale, or financial close by driving schedule, risk mitigation, and cross-functional alignment.
• Anticipate and manage project development risks related to land, permitting, environmental, and transmission availability.
• Oversee development budgets, risk tracking, schedules, and project reporting.
• Prepare projects for investment committee, commercialization, and transaction handoff.
• Interface with institutional investors, lenders, and their counsel regarding financing, commercialization and/or M&A deals.
• Mentor 1–2 junior development team members and ensure execution quality and pace.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Mentoring

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Project management software

Excel

Job description

Strata Solar Development is seeking a Director and open to Senior Manager to support and lead a portfolio of complex, high profile utility-scale solar, energy storage and digital infrastructure projects across the Southwestern and Western U.S.

This role is a hands‑on project leadership position with direct accountability for advancing projects from greenfielding through mid- to late-stage development and commercialization readiness. The successful candidate will independently lead stakeholder-intensive projects, mentor junior staff, and serve as a key internal integrator across permitting, interconnection, engineering, legal, origination, and commercial teams. This position works closely with land, engineering, permitting, and commercial teams and will report to the SW Regional Director to support efforts to expand Strata’s portfolio across key markets in the West.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Leadership and Execution

• Lead multiple utility-scale solar and battery storage projects through development stages from site origination to NTP, sale, or financial close by driving schedule, risk
• mitigation, and cross-functional alignment
• Anticipate and manage project development risks related to land, permitting, environmental, and transmission availability
• Oversee development budgets, risk tracking, schedules, and project reporting
• Prepare projects for investment committee, commercialization, and transaction handoff
• Manage contractors and consultants that work on Strata’s behalf to complete development tasks
• Interface with institutional investors, lenders, and their counsel regarding financing, commercialization and/or M&A deals

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with permitting, interconnection, land, engineering, origination and other teams to advance projects through development to commercialization
• Ensure development strategy aligns with Strata’s portfolio priorities, capital discipline, and risk tolerance

Team Leadership and Mentorship

• Manage and mentor 1–2 junior development team members, providing clear project ownership, skill development and coaching and accountability for execution quality and pace

Reporting and Portfolio Management

• Maintain accurate project status, schedules, and risk assessments in Strata’s development systems
• Provide clear, concise updates to senior leadership on project readiness, blockers, and recommendations
• Contribute to regional portfolio strategy discussions and prioritization

Frequent travel to meet with landowners, key stakeholders, local officials and as needed for project development and company meetings.

Qualifications and Experience:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, planning, real estate, management, business or related field
• 7+ years of utility-scale renewable energy development experience
• Proven ability to independently advance complex projects through permitting and interconnection
• Strong working knowledge of Western permitting regimes, private, state and federal land processes and utility-scale interconnection pathways
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities

Preferred

• Master’s or other advanced degree
• Direct mentoring and people‑management experience
• Experience preparing projects for sale, financing, or EPC execution
• Strong understanding of project economics and financial models
• Recent project management experience in Arizona, Nevada and/or New Mexico

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office environment with travel to support development activities. Must be able to sit, stand, bend, twist and lift up to 20 pounds.

About Us

Strata Clean Energy is a leading developer, EPC, and service provider for utility-scale solar and storage systems in the United States. We control and self-perform all processes from our nationwide solar and storage developments, to construction, OṔ, and Asset Management.

Our employees are empowered to drive our business in a collaborative, creative, and passion‑driven environment that fosters long‑term professional growth. There is a lot to learn at Strata, but we’re here to help you give your best and have a good time doing it.

At Strata, you’re part of something big. We’re leading the industry in sustainable energy careers. We are driving innovation to make a difference for our customers, our employees, and our planet. Join us in powering the future.

Strata Solar is anequal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Strata Solar is an equal employment and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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