Project Development Manager

Total Energies; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

TotalEnergies is seeking a Project Development Manager to lead utility-scale renewable energy projects through development stages, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery.

You will drive land acquisition, permitting, interconnection, and stakeholder engagement while aligning with portfolio strategy and governance requirements. This role emphasizes strategic thinking, risk management, and cross-functional leadership in a dynamic energy transition environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, Planning, Economics, Geography, Public Policy, Renewable Energy, or related field.
• 3–6+ years of renewable energy project development or related experience.
• Experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead utility-scale renewable energy development across all project phases.
• Coordinate land acquisition, real estate, and title work with internal and external teams.
• Manage permitting, environmental diligence, and community engagement.
• Oversee interconnection, engineering and technical development activities.
• Prepare governance materials and present updates to leadership.

Skills

Project development

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Leadership

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

GIS

Job description

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 elevate 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.

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.

Joining TotalEnergies means committing to the energy transition and helping provide energy that is more affordable, more available, and more sustainable for as many people as possible. You will grow within an international multi‑energy company where every talent matters. You will contribute to ambitious projects and deliver concrete solutions to today's energy challenges. Throughout your career, you will benefit from a wide variety of assignments and tailored learning opportunities. You will fully develop your potential in an environment that fosters innovation and excellence. Join committed and collaborative teams where success is built together.

We place respect and employee well‑being at the heart of our performance. That is why TotalEnergies values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all.