Lead Development Manager - Utility-Scale Renewables

The Planet Group; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Planet Group is seeking experienced Development Manager to lead the development of utility-scale renewable energy assets in the West Region. You will navigate permitting, interconnection, and complex regulatory processes across solar, storage, and wind projects, coordinating with engineering, land, and finance teams.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in renewable energy development, with 10+ years in utility-scale projects and a track record of delivering projects through to construction

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of directly related experience in renewable energy project development, with at least 3 years managing energy-related projects through the full development lifecycle.
• 10+ years in utility-scale renewables with track record de-risking projects for construction.
• Direct experience in utility-scale energy, infrastructure, or heavy industrial land development.

Responsibilities

• Site Control: Lead the identification, evaluation, and secured site control of viable land for utility-scale deployment.
• Interconnection Management: Navigate the ISO/RTO interconnection queues and manage the technical studies required for grid injection.
• Permitting & Entitlements: Manage environmental and land-use permitting at local, state, and federal levels (including CEQA/NEPA).
• Project Economics: Maintain rigorous project models, tracking development budgets and ensuring assets meet Final Investment Decision criteria.
• Technical Coordination: Collaborate with engineering and GIS teams to optimize site layouts and technology selection.
• Demonstrable knowledge of interconnection processes, permitting, real estate, and state/federal regulation affecting renewable energy projects.

Skills

Real estate acumen

Technical understanding of power grids

Stakeholder engagement

Risk/benefit analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, or Environmental Science

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

Job description

The Planet Group is seeking experienced Development Manager to lead the development of utility-scale renewable energy assets in the West Region. You will navigate permitting, interconnection, and complex regulatory processes across solar, storage, and wind projects, coordinating with engineering, land, and finance teams.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in renewable energy development, with 10+ years in utility-scale projects and a track record of delivering projects through to construction