Director Project Development, Data Centers

Origis Energy; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health insurance

Paid time off

401(k) plan with matching contributions

Job summary

A leading renewable energy company is seeking a Director of Project Development, Data Centers to drive the origination and execution of utility-scale solar projects. The role involves managing the full development lifecycle, coordinating with various teams, and advancing land sites for data center projects. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in project development and a deep understanding of the renewable energy sectors. This remote position offers unique opportunities for strategic thinkers in the energy transition.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant utility-scale project development experience.
• Deep understanding of U.S. utility-scale solar and energy storage markets.
• Experience with interconnection processes from application through LGIA finalization.

Responsibilities

• Originate and advance data center land sites through land control and permitting.
• Coordinate with various teams to advance projects from inception to NTP.
• Manage project budgets ensuring cost control and schedule discipline.

Skills

Utility-scale project development

Landowner negotiations

Cross-functional team leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

BS and/or BA degree

MBA preferred

Job description

Director Project Development, Data Centers

Remote

Join the Origis Energy Team!

Origis Energy is accelerating the transition to a carbon‑free future by Reimagining Zero SM. As one of America’s leading renewable energy and decarbonization solution platforms, the company continues to expand and reimagine its contribution to the world’s net‑zero goals. Origis Energy puts customers first to deploy a wide range of sustainable solutions for grid power generation, performance optimization, and long‑term operation of solar and energy storage plants across the U.S. Founded in 2008, Origis Energy is headquartered in Miami, FL.

The Origis team, regarded as one of the leading developers in the U.S., is committed to living five core values in all interactions both with each other and external stakeholders:

Solve for Tomorrow. A role with Origis Energy puts you at the forefront of the transition to clean energy. Are you ready to bring new ideas? Do you exist to find solutions? That’s how we revolutionize energy and build a carbon‑free future – through unmatched service and relentless innovation.

Rise Together. To succeed here, you’ll collaborate with others and work as one team, across various teams including solar and energy storage development, financing, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and operations, maintenance and asset management. Are you open to diverse perspectives and prepared to work seamlessly across disciplines to reach our collective goals?

Perform at Peak. We’re seeking team members who bring authentic energy and passion to every task. How can you use your natural strengths, genuine optimism and intelligence to make your greatest contributions to Origis?

Inspire & Grow. The Origis team is comprised of knowledgeable, passionate solar and energy storage experts who bring deep expertise and solution‑driven thinking to clients. A successful Origis team member encourages others and sets a high bar for growth. We have a culture of continuous improvement because each team member takes the role of both learner and mentor.

Be Resilient. The spirit in which we tackle the energy challenges and objectives of our clients means we consistently stretch for the extra mile. We always take initiative and remain adaptable, overcoming obstacles by prioritizing respect.

Position Description

The Director Project Development, Data Centers, reporting to the SVP, Project Development, will support the origination and execution of data center infrastructure and utility‑scale solar projects. This role will work across the full development lifecycle – originating, evaluating, and advancing data center land sites through land control, entitlements, permitting, and infrastructure readiness, culminating in sale and handover to third‑party data center developers. The primary objective is to drive pipeline growth and successful project execution across data center land development and utility‑scale solar and energy storage.

The Director Project Development, Data Centers is a regular, full‑time position, and is eligible for our generous employee benefits package, including employer‑paid health insurance, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions, and other great benefits.

Key Responsibilities

Data Center Development

• Originate, evaluate, and advance data center land sites from inception through the development stage, including site control, zoning, entitlements, permitting, and infrastructure readiness, with the objective of preparing sites for sale to third‑party data center developers.
• Coordination with origination, engineering, legal, finance and other commercial teams to advance project from inception to NTP.
• Lead site‑level diligence for data center land opportunities, including land use and zoning, environmental constraints, access, utility availability, water considerations, transmission proximity, and infrastructure constraints.
• Develop and execute land acquisition strategies, including negotiating and managing options, leases, purchase agreements, easements, title, and survey, in coordination with legal and real estate teams.
• Advance entitlement and permitting pathways (rezoning, site plan approvals, conditional/special use permits, and other local/state approvals) to deliver development‑ready sites at handover.
• Coordinate handover packages for buyers, including development documentation, permits, studies, interconnection status, and critical path summaries.
• Support development‑related due diligence for acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships, including environmental, geotechnical, title/survey, permitting, and interconnection reviews.
• Compile and synthesize development inputs for investment memoranda, site sale materials, and leadership updates.
• Form and lead comprehensive project teams using Origis Tier 1 consultants to conduct early‑stage risk analysis and advance development efficiently.
• Manage vendors and project budgets through the SAP system, ensuring cost control and schedule discipline.
• Represent Origis in meetings with utilities, permitting authorities, community stakeholders, consultants, and counterparties.

Interconnection, Utilities & Infrastructure

• Evaluate transmission grids and land constraints to identify and recommend optimal sites for data center land development and co‑located or adjacent energy opportunities.
• Interface with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, municipalities, and other regulatory entities regarding transmission, distribution, interconnection and service agreements.
• Work closely with early‑stage interconnection teams to assist with interconnection applications, study management, and milestone tracking through LGIA execution, where applicable to land value and marketability.
• Assess infrastructure readiness (electric, water, gas where applicable, access roads, fiber) and identify gaps or mitigation strategies to improve site attractiveness to buyers.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS and/or BA degree required; MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant utility‑scale project development experience.
• Deep understanding of the U.S. utility‑scale solar and energy storage markets; familiarity with data center land development trends is required.
• Demonstrated experience advancing projects through site origination, land control, entitlements, permitting and interconnection; experience with interconnection processes from application through LGIA finalization.
• Strong familiarity and knowledge of development tools and value drivers, including grid analysis, interconnection studies, permitting, and financial model impacts.
• Full‑spectrum knowledge of solar development and data center siting requirements and land‑based development considerations.
• High comfort level in landowner negotiations and managing real estate documentation.

Key Attributes for Success

• Detail‑oriented and highly organized with strong documentation discipline.
• Strategic thinker who understands how land, grid access, and permitting translate into asset value.
• Creative problem solver with a pragmatic, solution‑oriented mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, tight timelines, and budgets simultaneously.
• Effective at managing multiple stakeholders within cross‑functional teams (development, interconnection, engineering, legal, finance).
• Demonstrates sound professional judgment and comfort operating in transaction‑driven environments.
• Exceptional communication skills; written, verbal, and presentation.

Location

Austin, TX | Miami, FL | Remote working can be considered

Travel

Up to 25% travel required as necessary

Equal Opportunity Employer

Origis Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOC). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

Support for Applicants with Disabilities

Request for Support or Accommodations: As part of our effort to provide equal opportunity to qualified disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities, we are happy to offer support and special accommodations in order for you to successfully reach us with your interest. Please reach out to us at [e-mail] if you would like to request help with your application.