Project Development Manager

TotalEnergies; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Medical, dental & vision insurance

HSA with company contributions

401(k) plan with employer match

Education assistance

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

TotalEnergies Renewables USA, LLC is seeking a Project Development Manager in Austin, TX. You will lead development efforts for utility-scale renewable projects, coordinating engineering, permitting, interconnection, and community engagement to drive milestones.

The role requires 3+ years in renewable energy development, strong stakeholder management, and the ability to travel 20-30% as needed to ensure on-time project completion within budget.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in renewable energy project development.
• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Experience with permitting, interconnection, environmental diligence, land acquisition, or community engagement.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned utility‑scale renewable energy or co‑located projects through all development phases.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams to align schedules, budgets, and milestones.
• Manage land acquisition strategies and land agent activities for projects.
• Coordinate permitting, environmental, and community engagement activities with internal/external experts.
• Oversee interconnection, engineering, and technical development activities and ensure milestones are met.
• Manage project budgets and development expenditures; support commercial negotiations and incentives.
• Coordinate consultants and external stakeholders; represent projects externally.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Permitting

Interconnection

Risk management

Team leadership

GIS

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, Planning, Economics, Geography, Public Policy, Renewable Energy, or related field

Tools

GIS

Excel

Job description

Country United States / US City AUSTIN

Area Texas

Workplace location AUSTIN-GAINES RANCH LOOP(USA) Employer company TotalEnergies Renewables USA, LLC Domain Industrial Projects, Operations Type of contract Regular position Experience Minimum 3 years

Context & Environment

The Project Development Manager serves as the Development organization's primary project leader for assigned projects and is accountable for project advancement, development strategy implementation, stakeholder management, risk mitigation, and achievement of key development milestones. The role is expected to independently manage project priorities while integrating technical, commercial, regulatory, environmental, interconnection, permitting, real estate, and community considerations into actionable development strategies. The Development Manager interfaces regularly with their Director or Associate Director to confirm portfolio priorities, align on resource needs, review material risks, validate project recommendations, and raise decisions that have broader market, portfolio, financial, reputational, or strategic implications. This reporting relationship is intended to provide oversight, coaching, and escalation support while preserving the Development Manager’s accountability for assigned project execution.

Willingness to travel 20-30% as needed to assure the project’s completion on time and within budget

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a major energy company, which produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity. Over 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, more affordable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 120 countries, TotalEnergies ambition is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 or sooner. The US Government is engineering a major transformation of the US economy with ambitious goals to cut GHG emissions in half by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Activities

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead assigned utility‑scale renewable energy or co‑located projects or greenfield campaigns through all phases of development; serve as the primary development lead and integrator of project development workstreams across technical, permitting, environmental, commercial, interconnection, real estate, and stakeholder functions; establish and maintain project development strategies, schedules, budgets, and critical path activities; coordinate cross‑functional subject matter experts including engineering, GIS, environmental, interconnection, real estate, legal, commercial, and execution teams; identify project risks, opportunities, and constraints and develop mitigation strategies; align project priorities with company objectives and portfolio strategy; ensure project activities comply with company procedures and governance requirements; coordinate activities required to achieve development milestones and commercial objectives; and prepare recommendations regarding project continuation, acceleration, modification, or termination.
• Manage land acquisition strategy and land agent activities for assigned projects, ensuring land agreements are negotiated in the company’s best interests and support project development, constructability, financing, and commercial objectives. Identify land optimization opportunities, coordinate real estate and title‑related workstreams, and ensure full compliance with the company’s site control process. Work with internal teams, external counsel, land agents, title companies, and other subject matter experts to address ownership, title curative, encumbrances, access, crossing, and subsurface mineral matters that may affect project viability, schedule, or risk profile
• Coordinate permitting, environmental, and community engagement activities in partnership with internal and external subject matter experts. Ensure these workstreams are appropriately scoped, sequenced, budgeted, and incorporated into overall project development strategy, schedules, and risk mitigation plans. Support stakeholder engagement plans, governmental outreach activities, consultant deliverables, and permitting and environmental milestones while monitoring critical path dependencies and project risks.
• Coordinate interconnection, engineering, and technical development activities with internal subject matter experts. Ensure interconnection assumptions, study milestones, technical deliverables, and execution requirements are incorporated into project schedules, risk management plans, and development strategies. Monitor transmission, interconnection, and system planning developments affecting project viability and facilitate cross‑functional decision‑making regarding project impacts, tradeoffs, and mitigation strategies.
• Manage project budgets and development expenditures; support commercial negotiations and business development opportunities; evaluate development alternatives and associated financial impacts; and support contract negotiations, incentive opportunities, tax abatements, and economic development initiatives.
• Select, manage, and direct consultants supporting project development activities; establish consultant scopes, budgets, schedules, and deliverables; coordinate relationships with landowners, utilities, regulators, public officials, consultants, and community stakeholders; and serve as the principal external representative for assigned projects.
• Prepare project approval, executive reporting, and governance materials, including CDO approval requests, COMEX materials, and required governance documentation; validate development‑phase CAPEX assumptions; communicate project status, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions to management; and present project updates to internal leadership and stakeholders as required.
• Mentor Development Associates and Senior Development Associates; provide guidance on development fundamentals, project execution, stakeholder management, and business judgment; support onboarding and professional development activities; and contribute to building a sustainable internal pipeline of future Development Managers.

Candidate Profile

Education/Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, Planning, Economics, Geography, Public Policy, Renewable Energy, or related field.

Experience:

• Typically 3-6+ years of renewable energy project development or related experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with permitting, interconnection, environmental diligence, land acquisition, community engagement, or other development disciplines.
• Experience leading consultant and stakeholder coordination activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Utility‑scale solar, wind, battery storage, transmission, or large‑load development experience.
• Strong understanding of project economics and development risk management.
• Advanced communication and presentation skills.

TotalEnergies values diversity, promotes individual growth and offers equal opportunity careers.

Working at TotalEnergies

At TotalEnergies we are committed to balancing flexibility while fostering strong relationships among our team members. Our office‑based employees work together from dynamic workspaces 3 days per week to build teamwork through collaboration while also having the flexibility to work from home 2 days per week. TotalEnergies Renewables USA currently has offices in Berkeley, Boston, Austin, and Houston.

What We Provide

TotalEnergies offers a robust comprehensive benefits package available to employees on the first day of hire. These benefits include but are not limited to generous PTO, medical, dental & vision care, HSA with company contributions, health FSA, commuter benefits or paid parking, 401(k) plan with employer match, enhanced 401(k) plan, life & accident insurances, generous parental leave, education assistance, fitness subsidy and more.

International Consideration

TotalEnergies regrets that it is unable to sponsor employment Visas or consider individuals on time‑limited visa status for this position.