Project Development Manager - Michigan

Trajectory Energy; Michigan; Remote; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance contributions

Employee Equity Options

Professional Development Stipend

401k with employer match

Paid Vacation, Sick, and Wellbeing days

Job summary

A solar energy development company is seeking a Project Development Manager to establish and grow their solar market in Michigan. The role involves site evaluation, negotiating leases, and community outreach. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, a network in Michigan's agricultural or local government sectors, and a background in renewable energy. This remote position includes frequent travel across Michigan, offering a salary range of $150,000 – $180,000, depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Experience working with landowners on solar leases or other similar sales experience.
• Preference for candidates with a strong network in Michigan, particularly in the agricultural sector or local government.
• Knowledge of energy or renewable energy development.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate potential solar project sites.
• Negotiate and finalize solar leases with landowners.
• Organize and lead community outreach events.

Skills

Communication and presentation skills

Project management

Collaboration within multi-disciplinary teams

Ability to build local relationships

Tools

ArcGIS

Google Earth

Microsoft Office Suite

Airtable

Salesforce

Job description

Trajectory Energy Partners, a solar energy development company, is seeking a Project Development Manager to establish and build Trajectory’s solar market in Michigan. Trajectory works with communities across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic to develop community solar and utility‑scale solar projects.

This position will focus on identifying and evaluating potential solar project sites, working with landowners to finalize solar leases for their land, and the zoning process for solar projects. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating independently, building local relationships, and driving projects forward without a fully built‑out local infrastructure.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Build Trajectory’s development pipeline from the ground up in Michigan, identifying and advancing high-quality solar opportunities.
• Lead initial outreach to landowners of potential solar sites through targeted mailings and in-person community engagement.
• Negotiate and finalize solar leases with landowners.
• Strong communicator who can work directly with landowners and local officials on zoning efforts for solar projects.
• Organize and lead community outreach events to inform local landowners and other stakeholders of project details and respond to feedback and questions.
• Mapping and GIS analysis to identify potential solar project sites.
• Due diligence of potential project sites from a resource, environmental, permitting, land, constructibility, cost, community receptivity, and interconnection perspective.
• Support the management of third‑party diligence consultants on solar sites.
• Support project financing, including related due diligence.
• Regular travel to work with landowners and local officials on solar projects.

Experience and Background:

• Experience working with landowners on solar leases or other similar sales experience.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with ability to distill complex technical, legal, and financial subjects into commercial practicality.
• Preference for candidates with a strong network in Michigan, in particular in agricultural sector, real estate industry, and/or local government or politics.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS and Google Earth preferred.
• Knowledge of energy or renewable energy development.
• Strong computer and internet skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Airtable, Salesforce, or other database and/or CRM software.
• Confirmed ability to work collaboratively within multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Experience in project management.
• Strong organization skills and ability to handle time to meet frequently changing deadlines in a rapidly changing environment.
• Collaborative mindset with confidence to lead a new market.

Benefits at Trajectory:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance contributions
• Employee Equity Options
• Professional Development Stipend
• Access to company 401k plus 401k employer match
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Wellbeing days

Position based in Michigan. This is a remote position with frequent travel (40‑50%) across Michigan to visit sites and meet local stakeholders and consultants. Salary range is $150,000 – $180,000, dependent on experience.