Project Development Manager

Lightshift; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Full benefits package

Paid time off

Job summary

Lightshift Energy in Arlington, VA, is seeking a Project Development Manager to join the team and support utility-scale energy storage project development from inception to Notice to Proceed, coordinating with engineers, analysts and external partners. Responsibilities include land acquisition and siting, managing development workstreams through permitting and interconnection, and coordinating with regulators, utilities, and EPC partners.

Travel 25–50% and cross-functional leadership are key.

Qualifications

• Must have demonstrated project management skills and ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to secure land acquisition, siting, and project approvals with authorities.
• Experience coordinating with regulators, utilities, and EPC partners is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead land acquisition efforts and siting campaigns to grow the project pipeline.
• Manage development lifecycle from inception to Notice to Proceed (NTP).
• Create and execute project management plans for internal teams.
• Coordinate permitting challenges at federal, state, and local levels.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Travel availability

Stakeholder management

Energy storage market knowledge

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in business, environmental science, energy management, renewable energy, electrical engineering, or related degree

Job description

Founded at the beginning of 2019, Lightshift Energy (formerly Delorean Power) focuses on the development, design, financing, construction, ownership and operations of utility-scale energy storage projects in the US. Large-scale batteries allow our customers to save costs, operate the grid more reliably, and balance variations in wind and solar production. Located in Arlington, VA, Lightshift Energy works with utilities and large electric consumers on sophisticated, value-maximizing approaches to energy storage and clean energy integration. Lightshift Energy’s leadership combines decades of clean energy expertise with a commitment to accelerating the shift to a sustainable energy future through storage.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Project Development Manager will be an integral member of Lightshift’s team, providing strategic support to the Project Development team, with a focus on utility-scale energy storage project development. The Project Development Manager will facilitate Lightshift’s boots-on-the-ground project development efforts with support from the rest of the Lightshift team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leading land acquisition efforts / siting campaigns and identifying viable project sites to grow our project pipeline
• Leading projects through development lifecycle (inception to Notice to Proceed)
• Creating project management plans for Lightshift team use
• Managing project federal, state and local permitting challenges as/when they arise
• Ensuring interconnection rights are secured and advanced for our projects
• Working with team engineers and analysts on project scope and site design
• Providing research and due diligence support on all federal, state and local officials, regulators, utilities, RTOs, and other stakeholders throughout the project development process
• Providing key support for battery supply and EPC partners from project design to contract negotiation/execution

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience identifying viable project sites and lead acquisition efforts of land for project development
• Experience with pre-NTP project development workstreams that culminate in obtaining project approvals with state and local authorities
• Excellent project management skills, including effective planning, organizing and prioritizing tasks
• Strong leadership and communication skills to manage project workstreams / stakeholders
• Direct experience identifying energy storage market opportunities, determine use cases with prospective customers, and to develop project sites
• At least 2 years of direct project development experience in the energy sector
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills;
• Willingness to travel ~25-50% of the time
• Bachelors or Master’s degree in business, environmental science, energy management, renewable energy, electrical engineering, or related degree desired

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills
• Strongly prefer more than 2 years of project development experience with demonstrated results (project permitting approvals obtained)
• Excellent research and presentation skills
• Knowledge of development risks / risk management best practices
• Working knowledge of US energy markets
• A collaborative attitude and desire to help as needed to assist company growth plans
• Desire to effectuate swift change in the clean energy transition
• Prior mentorship experience with developing junior development team members

LOCATION

Preference is for candidates to report to Lightshift’s Arlington, VA headquarters. We will consider remote employment for well qualified candidates as long as there is overlap with Lightshift’s development efforts.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Base salary range of $115,000 – $155,000; commensurate with related qualifications and experience/educational background

• Generous annual cash bonuses
• Full benefits package, including 401k, health/dental/vision insurance, paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and short-term disability