Senior Manager Project Development - West

Hanwha Renewables; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Renewables is seeking a Senior Manager of Project Development in Houston, TX, to oversee acquisition and development of utility-scale solar and energy storage projects. The role requires 8+ years in renewable energy project development, the ability to manage real estate and permitting aspects, and effective communication skills. Competitive salary ranges from $170,000 to $210,000. The position involves hybrid work and 50% travel within North America.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in renewable energy project development.
• Proven track record as a lead developer with projects 50 MW+ in size.
• Solid understanding of energy markets and renewable development in North America.

Responsibilities

• Identify acquisition and development opportunities for utility-scale solar and battery projects.
• Manage all real estate aspects from site control to title policy issuance.
• Prepare strategic transaction summaries and manage title closing.

Skills

Renewable energy project development

Financial analysis

Communication

Team management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in business, urban planning, engineering, finance or related fields

Job description

Company Overview

Hanwha Renewables a member of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 firm that is among the eight largest business enterprises in South Korea. 174 Power Global designs, builds and manages renewable energy solutions. The company brings a decade of global leadership in renewable energy to North America, combining best‑of‑world technology, processes, and partnerships to deliver utility‑grade energy solutions customized for local energy markets. 174 Power Global offers the full spectrum of energy solutions – from power plant development, design, construction, operations, and maintenance. With proven capabilities across the renewable energy value chain, 174 Power Global minimizes uncertainty and risk, and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in renewable energy.

Position Overview

The Senior Manager of Project Development will be responsible for identification, assessment and execution of potential strategic partnerships, acquisitions and investments. This position will also manage the real estate, permitting and interconnection aspects of multiple utility scale photovoltaic (PV) solar and energy storage projects in targeted US markets. The Senior Manager will assist the Structured Finance team in divestment of assets as well as in any third‑party debt or equity financing. This role reports to the Vice President of Project Development or other designated management personnel. The position is based in the Houston, TX office with a hybrid schedule. Working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. The role is expected to travel up to 50% of the time.

Key Responsibilities

• Regular attendance is an essential job duty.
• Identify acquisition and greenfield development opportunities for utility‑scale solar and battery energy storage projects throughout North America.
• Perform detailed strategic and financial analyses, including company evaluations and financial feasibility studies of potential acquisition opportunities.
• Acquire and maintain information on market, industry, economic, consumer and competitive conditions and trends.
• Engage in industry groups to identify new market solutions.
• Prepare acquisition/divestiture and other strategic transaction summaries and recommendations.
• Manage all matters related to real estate from initial site control to issuance of the final title policy.
• Assist in obtaining initial title commitments and aid real‑estate division in all required title curatives.
• Co‑manage title closing and issuance of the closing letter and final title policy with required endorsements.
• Co‑manage all changes to the ALTA survey to provide a survey acceptable to the financier and the title company.
• Review and manage all lease agreements and any required amendments acceptable to the financing parties.
• Manage real‑estate land purchases and any sale‑leasebacks.
• Obtain any needed easements in a form acceptable for financial close.
• Perform any subdivisions and/or lot‑line adjustments needed for land acquisitions.
• Obtain any required crossing agreements such as driveways, pipelines, transmission and distribution lines, canals, DOT, communications, sewer and water.
• Acquire all permits needed to construct and operate utility‑scale solar and energy storage projects.
• Obtain all local land‑use approvals from the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), such as Conditional Use Permits, Zoning Authorizations, Zoning Letters, etc.
• Obtain required State siting and/or facilities permits, such as Certificates of Public Necessity (CPCN), Electric Merchant Permits (EMP), Electrical Siting Permits, etc.
• Prepare hearing presentations and lead the project at all local and state land‑use hearings.
• Receive all environmental clearances from local, state, and federal agencies as applicable, such as CEQA, NEPA, SEQR, etc.
• Perform historic and cultural resource studies and obtain clearance from the State SHPO as required.
• Manage filings with the Federal Aviation Administration and any other affected airports.
• Evaluate and obtain any required threatened and endangered species initial screenings, protocol surveys, and any required state or federal take authorizations or permits.
• Manage wetland surveys, filing of Preliminary and/or Approved Wetland Jurisdictional Determinations, and applying for and receiving approval of Preconstruction Notices for Nationwide Wetland Permits.
• Manage interconnection applications through to commercial operation.
• Have working knowledge of ISO/RTO interconnection processes for filing interconnection applications including CAISO, PJM, ERCOT, SPP, and MISO.
• Make all required security postings and payments in a timely manner.
• Review and solicit comments from consultants and internal team on feasibility, system impact, and facilities studies.
• Oversee all agreements needed to construct the facilities including interconnection agreements, engineering and procurement, and construction agreements.
• Manage flow of information between HQC US, project investor, and third‑party financing representatives.
• Provide support for HQC US Structured Finance and Legal departments during project sale, debt and equity closings.
• Prepare projects for debt and equity finance or divestment by addressing low and medium finance risk items identified during acquisition process.
• Confirm that project land‑control documents, easements, right‑of‑way agreements, etc. meet minimum finance thresholds.
• Manage all matters related to real estate for project closing.
• Manage a team developer (max two).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in business, urban planning, engineering, finance or other related fields.
• 8+ years of renewable energy project development, working on behalf of the owner/developer.
• A proven track record as a lead developer with a “deal sheet” of projects 50 MW+ in size.
• Solid understanding of energy markets and renewable energy development in North America.
• Ability to communicate effectively with management, coworkers, clients, vendors, contractors and other stakeholders.
• Superior preparation, presentation, time‑management and interpersonal skills.
• Willing to travel up to 50% of the time within North America and internationally.
• Represent the company with professionalism in internal and external communications.
• A valid driving license and passport.

Compensation

$170,000 to $210,000 salary.

Equal Employment Opportunities

Hanwha Renewables provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. www.174powerglobal.com