Project Development Manager

OCI Alabama LLC; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

OCI Energy LLC seeks a Project Development Manager to lead land and project development for current and future solar projects. You will coordinate with landowners, legal teams, EPCs, and engineers to drive timely, compliant site qualification and permitting.

The role requires strong negotiation, contracts knowledge, and real estate research skills, with travel up to 50% to support multiple sites and jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering or related field.
• Experience in solar project development, real estate, or land acquisition strongly preferred.
• Strong negotiation and contract understanding are essential.
• Knowledge of zoning, permitting, and interconnection processes is required.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage all aspects of land development for OCI’s projects.
• Coordinate with landowners, lawyers, and consultants to finalize terms.
• Lead due diligence, permits, interconnection analysis, and surveys.

Skills

Land acquisition

Real estate research

Zoning & land use

Negotiation

Legal/contractual knowledge

Public speaking

Project management

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Energy or related field

Job description

OCI Energy, headquartered in San Antonio, TX, is a respected provider of solar power, plant developer, owner, and operator. We are seeking a Project Development Manager to provide support for a growing organization in a fast-paced environment. This role provides a perfect opportunity for a professional looking for interesting work within a small cohesive team, the ability to expand their experience and contribute to the corporation's success.
SUMMARY:

Under general supervision by Vice President of Project Development, the Project Development Manager will develop, lead and manage all aspects of land and project development for OCI’s current and future projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develop and manage all aspects of land development for OCI’s current and future projects.
• Conduct real estate research to identify sites that are suitable for developing new projects for utility and DG scale projects, that includes but not limited to, conducting due diligence for zoning, flood-zoning, commercial terms, interconnection, tax abatements, mineral title, mineral rights waivers, easements, ROW, crossing agreements, oil & gas infrastructure, accommodation agreements, FAA, environmental studies, ESA Phase I and Phase II, title insurance coordination, ALTA surveys, environmental and jurisdiction permitting, appraisal reports, wetland identification, protected species, archeological, hazardous material, road and highway access, geotechnical, topo, hydrology, etc.
• Conduct real estate search to determine the land with most preferable commercial terms for OCI projects, and coordinate with landowners, agents, and/or assigned lawyers as required to discuss commercial terms, and manage the process to finalize an agreements.
• Perform zoning and use-of-land search to ensure the sites are suitable for future solar farms development according to the applicable jurisdictional requirement.
• Perform preliminary interconnection analysis to determine the available transmission, or distribution lines (as applicable) in the vicinity of the potential sites.
• Coordinate with the surveyors to perform surveys (ALTA, TOPO, etc.) for the potential lands to identify the site boundaries, and associated infrastructures.
• Conduct or coordinate mineral title search to identify the stakeholders for the applicable site(s), and perform assessment of title risk and mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate with applicable entities to negotiate terms and execute agreements to cross existing infrastructure facilities on the sites.
• Coordinate with applicable landowners/entities to negotiate terms and execute agreements to ensure easement and/or right-of-way rights.
• Coordinate with applicable entities to negotiate terms and execute agreements to ensure accommodation agreements.
• Coordinate with mineral right owners to request, or negotiate (as applicable) the waiver terms and agreements.
• Coordinate with interconnection engineers or subcontractors to identify the load capacity of the transmission, or distribution lines.
• Coordinate with environmental consultant subcontractors to perform preliminary environmental studies, ESA Phase I, and ESA Phase II as applicable.
• Conduct flood zoning search to ensure the subject site(s) are not located on flooding zone.
• Coordinate with consultant contractors to perform preliminary and/or final geotechnical and hydrological studies.
• Coordinate with the applicable jurisdictions (federal, state, county, city, courts, DOT, etc.) to acquire specific permits required for projects.
• Conduct FAA analysis and apply and acquire applicable permits.
• Conduct wetland search, and coordinate with environmental consultants to identify if there are jurisdictional requirements.
• Coordinate with applicable jurisdictions or local tax consultants to; pre-determine (pre-conclude) tax abatement benefits for the applicable jurisdictions, apply for tax abatements, attend town hall meetings as needed, negotiate terms, and execute agreements.
• Coordinate with the title insurance company to coordinate title underwriting issues relating to land ownership and title policies, and purchase the required insurance for the sites.
• Cross-function with business development team to understand and synchronize on the project requirement in terms of specifications, and timelines.
• Cross-function with legal team to discuss and negotiate the terms of the agreements.
• Cross-function with finance team to share the cost assumptions and projections.
• Cross-function with EPC contractors to finalize the design layout, and address the applicable permits process and requirements.
• Coordinate with real-estate agents/brokers to perform the lease/buy/sell process as applicable.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Energy or related field
• Four plus (4+) years of active and hands-on experience in Solar Project Development (Real Estate)
• Previous Landman experience is a strong preference
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills is a must
• Written and verbal skills are vital in dealing with individuals as well as groups
• Negotiation experience is a must
• Basic legal and contractual experience is a must
• Ability to work independently or as part of a high-performing team
• Must be able to manage various tasks simultaneously in order to accomplish desired objectives. Land acquisition requires managing a variety of competing interests to include risks, costs and relationships.
• Effective public presentation
• Must be familiar with public land records and how to research ownership.
• Must be familiar with land use issues.
• Must be familiar with the survey and land engineering knowledge
• Must be familiar with crossing, easements, ROW, leasing, land acquisitions, and mineral waivers agreements.
• Must be familiar with environmental studies, ESA, and RECs
• Must be familiar with tax abatements terms, and process.
• Solid experience with jurisdictional entities on numerous basis is a must
• Must have hands-on experience with obtaining permits from applicable jurisdictions
• Knowledge about interconnection, transmission, and distribution lines is a preference.
• Knowledge about geotechnical and hydrological studies is a preference.
• Must be familiar with the title underwriting process
• Travel required, up to 50%

OCI Energy LLC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. OCI Energy LLC complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Qualifications

Behaviors

Preferred

Functional Expert

Considered a thought leader on a subject

Team Player

Works well as a member of a group

Innovative

Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Detail Oriented

Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

Preferred

Ability to Make an Impact

Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business

Self-Starter

Inspired to perform without outside help

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.