Lead Solar Project Developer & Permitting Expert

Jobtailor

Annapolis (MD)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a senior project manager to lead distributed solar projects from development through construction readiness, coordinating internal teams and external stakeholders.

You will manage schedules, budgets, permitting, interconnection, and financing materials, while representing the company before planning boards and regulators.

Willingness to travel regularly to project sites is required; experience with community solar or DG projects is a plus.

Qualifications

Six years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree, or a bachelor’s degree plus four years of relevant experience.
Experience advancing projects through permitting and regulatory approvals.
Strong project management, organization, and prioritization skills.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
Ability to manage multiple projects with limited supervision.

Responsibilities

Lead distributed solar projects from early-stage development through construction readiness.
Serve as the primary project manager and internal coordinator for assigned projects.
Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, risk assessments, and milestone tracking.
Coordinate the efforts of internal teams including engineering, interconnection, environmental, legal, real estate, and finance functions.
Identify and mitigate development risks throughout the project lifecycle.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Travel willingness

Renewable energy

Permitting/regulatory

Interconnection processes

GIS

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

GIS

Job description

• Lead distributed solar projects from early-stage development through construction readiness.
• Serve as the primary project manager and internal coordinator for assigned projects.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, risk assessments, and milestone tracking.
• Coordinate the efforts of internal teams including engineering, interconnection, environmental, legal, real estate, and finance functions.
• Identify and mitigate development risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Maximize project value by strategically advancing projects within applicable state incentive programs, community solar programs, distributed generation frameworks, and other policy-driven markets.
• Provide recommendations regarding project advancement, hold, sale, redesign, or termination decisions accordingly.
• Prepare and present materials necessary to obtain internal approvals for major project expenditures, development milestones, and investment decisions.
• Assess evolving program rules, incentive structures, queue reforms, and market conditions to optimize development strategies.
• Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with project stakeholders including landowners, municipalities, utilities, regulatory agencies, consultants, and community organizations.
• Support real estate activities including obtaining easements, access agreements, title curatives, and other land rights considerations.
• Coordinate studies including wetlands, endangered species, cultural resources, geotechnical, stormwater, and other required investigations.
• Secure land use permits, zoning approvals, environmental permits, stormwater permits, and other required authorizations.
• Develop permitting strategies and manage permit applications through approval.
• Represent the company before planning boards, zoning boards, permitting authorities, and public agencies.
• Address community concerns and communicate project benefits effectively.
• Ensure compliance with permit conditions and regulatory obligations.
• Lead the utility interconnection process from initial application through execution of an interconnection agreement.
• Coordinate interconnection submissions with internal engineers and external consultants.
• Drive projects toward obtaining executable interconnection agreements with commercially viable costs and timelines.
• Support project financing efforts by coordinating diligence materials and responding to lender, investor, or buyer requests.
• Assist with project M&A and portfolio transaction activities as needed.
• Coordinate development-related inputs required for financing and investment processes.
• Maintain organized project documentation and data rooms.
• Various other projects as needed or assigned.

Requirements

A minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree, or bachelor’s degree and at least four (4) years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience advancing projects through permitting and regulatory approval processes.
Strong project management, organization, and prioritization skills.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with limited supervision.
Willingness to travel regularly to project sites and stakeholder meetings.
Preferred Experience developing community solar or distributed generation projects.
Familiarity with utility distribution interconnection processes.
Experience presenting before planning commissions, zoning boards, or public agencies.
Knowledge of project finance, project economics, and renewable energy transactions.
GIS and site-screening experience.
Understanding of environmental permitting and land-use regulations.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in project management, particularly in leading distributed solar projects through development and construction phases. Proficient in navigating permitting processes, stakeholder engagement, and optimizing project value within regulatory frameworks.

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