Interconnection Project Manager (U-S)

Newleafenergy; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 112,968 - 131,287; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits

401k plan with company match

Self-managed paid time-off policy

Professional development assistance

Job summary

New Leaf Energy in Chicago is seeking an Interconnection Project Manager to manage utility-scale projects and coordinate interconnection efforts across multiple ISOs. The ideal candidate will have 4+ years of relevant experience, a Bachelor’s degree, and strong project management skills.

The position offers a hybrid work environment and competitive compensation, including a base salary range of $112,968 to $131,287 and an additional 20% cash bonus on-target.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of relevant experience in energy or direct electric utility.
• Strong project management skills, preferably with PMP certification.
• Proven ability to navigate complex project environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning for application submissions.
• Coordinate with internal teams to manage interconnection processes.
• Monitor ISO performance and identify risks to project timelines.

Skills

Project management

Technical skills

Organizational skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Policy, Finance, Business, Environmental Science, or Project Management

Tools

Salesforce

Smartsheet

Microsoft Project

Job description

New Leaf Energy is an experienced clean energy developer that partners with landowners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. We identify high-value sites, work with landowners and local communities to develop them, and partner with long‑term asset owners to bring the most impactful clean energy projects to life.

New Leaf Energy is seeking an Interconnection Project Manager (Utility-Scale) to join our team!

This position may be filled out of our Lowell, MA, Boston, MA, or Chicago, IL offices. We value in‑person collaboration and offer a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and are free to work from the office or from home on other days.

Position Summary

In this role you will play an integral role in the performance of our utility‑scale interconnection portfolio. These may include, and are not limited to, the management of projects in CAISO, NYISO, ISO‑NE, PJM, TVA, MISO, and SPP. The ideal candidate will have very strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate interconnection‑related efforts between Engineering, Project Finance, Accounting, and Operations. You will possess a technical skill set that enables accurate interpretation of utility feedback and an understanding of the implications on development, engineering and construction efforts. You should have the ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in these markets, while also being able to maintain a strategic perspective on the holistic interconnection environment on a regional basis.

Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Lead critical path planning and tactical management for application window submissions (for portfolio of projects);
• Develop a strong understanding of New Leaf Energy’s utility‑scale value stream map (development process) and development strategy;
• Lead new market entry interconnection due diligence and research, including process implementation and entrepreneurial problem‑solving skills;
• Create and maintain ISO/region‑specific project management infrastructure;
• Read/understand project documents (line diagrams, layouts, datasheets, site control docs, etc.);
• Track and report on key performance metrics in each ISO/region;
• Serve as the ISO interconnection process subject matter (utility behavior/ISO Tariff guidelines) expert for PD's, serve as a consultant to assist with strategic planning;
• Manage ISO/Transmission interconnection process to FERC regulations and ISO‑specific processes (portfolios of projects submitted into study windows/clusters through MIPA sale);
• Daily portfolio management of all active interconnection applications across multiple ISOs and services territories;
• Actively monitor ISO performance to identify risks to any project’s critical path, and elevate issues autonomously;
• Coordinate interconnection activities: Direct ISO RFIs to appropriate internal parties, and manage internal response to performance and lead time targets;
• Understand both internal and external project milestones and their implications to the overall project schedule;
• Assist in onboarding and managing third‑party consultants;
• Create and maintain long‑term relationships with ISO contacts;
• Handle project level disputes and successfully negotiate positive outcomes with utilities;
• Interact with New Leaf Energy’s policy team to provide support and insight into specific interconnection processes;
• Engage in ISO‑level policy discussions;
• Participate in ISO‑and FERC‑level policy working groups when required;
• Follow ISO‑level interconnection issues and report back to team leads;
• Provide guidance for market participation strategy.

Desired Qualifications

While no one individual will possess them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences, skills, and attributes. If you’re unsure whether you meet enough of the qualifications below but believe that your experience and skill set is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply!

• 4+ years of relevant experience, with preference given to those with energy and direct electric utility experience;
• Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Policy, Finance, Business, Environmental Science, or Project Management preferred);
• Strong project management, reporting and technical skills, preferably in Salesforce and Smartsheet/Microsoft Project. PMP certification preferred;
• Excitement about growing along with a fast‑paced, dynamic company; comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to build, experiment, and iterate when the path forward is undefined.

Compensation

New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market‑competitive base salary, plus above‑market variable compensation, plus an equity‑like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership. We use a data‑driven and transparent methodology to calibrate compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable, guided by the New Leaf Energy compensation manual, which is available to all employees.

Under our compensation framework, the likely base salary range for this position in the Chicago location is $112,968 to $131,287. The on‑target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 20% percent of base salary. Your actual salary may be above, in, or below this range, depending on your location and experience.

We value transparency and can share more during the interview process.

Benefits and Culture

New Leaf Energy’s success is driven by our collaborative, long‑term relationships based on trust and transparency. We offer a flexible work environment that places significant responsibility in independent teams and creates opportunities for innovation and personal growth. New Leaf Energy’s benefits are designed to appropriately recognize our employees’ contributions and enable a reasonable work/life balance. Our benefits include:

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental and vision;
• A 401k plan with immediate vesting and a company match (100% of the first three percent of your pay; 50% for the next two percent you contribute);
• An open and self‑managed paid time‑off policy;
• A hybrid work location policy that supports working from home for part of the week;
• A parental leave policy for both birthing and non‑birthing parents, available immediately upon hire;
• Professional development and education assistance.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

New Leaf Energy values the diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and contributions of all employees. We want all our employees to feel like they belong and are empowered to be their most authentic selves at work. We’re actively committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive environment not only within our own organization but also within the clean energy industry.

We seek a diverse candidate pool in this–and every–search. New Leaf Energy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, New Leaf Energy complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO M/F/D/V.