Senior Project Developer - DG Solar and BESS - Up-State New York / Hybrid

Leap29; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Leap29 seeks a Senior Project Developer to lead the development of distributed generation solar and energy storage projects in Upstate New York. You will oversee site origination, permitting, interconnection, budgeting, and risk management through late-stage development.

You will collaborate with internal teams, landowners, utilities, consultants, and regulators to ensure projects stay on budget and schedule while meeting regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, Planning, Real Estate, Project Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• Thorough understanding of renewable energy project development and the project development lifecycle.
• Knowledge of zoning regulations, land use planning, permitting processes, and environmental compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with utility interconnection processes and electric distribution systems.
• Strong organizational, analytical, project management, and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence a broad range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead distributed generation solar and energy storage projects from origination through construction readiness and handoff to delivery team.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, development budgets, risk assessments, milestone trackers, and project plans.
• Identify project risks and develop and implement mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate and support utility interconnection activities with engineering and other project teams.
• Identify, evaluate, and secure potential project sites through feasibility assessments and market research.
• Monitor interconnection queue positions, project milestones, system upgrade requirements, timelines, and costs.
• Establish and maintain relationships with municipalities, utilities, landowners, consultants, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Solar development

Energy storage

Land use & permitting

Interconnection processes

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Environmental Science, Business, Planning, Real Estate, Project Management or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project management software

Job description

SENIOR PROJECT DEVELOPER - DG Solar and BESS - Up-State New York / Hybrid

SUMMARY

The Senior Project Developer is responsible for leading the development of distributed generation solar and energy storage projects from initial site origination through construction readiness and handoff to the delivery team.

This position will oversee all aspects of project development, including site identification and evaluation, land acquisition, permitting, utility interconnection, budgeting, risk management, and due diligence through late-stage development.

The Senior Project Developer will work collaboratively with internal teams, landowners, municipalities, utilities, consultants, regulatory authorities, and other third-party stakeholders to ensure projects progress efficiently, remain within approved budgets and schedules, and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Comprehensive knowledge of solar and energy storage project development
• Understanding of land use, zoning, permitting, and environmental regulations
• Knowledge of utility interconnection processes and requirements
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead distributed generation solar and energy storage projects from initial site origination through construction readiness and handoff to the delivery team.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, development budgets, risk assessments, milestone trackers, and project plans.
• Identify project risks and develop and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate and support utility interconnection activities in collaboration with engineering and other project teams, including applications, studies, approvals, milestones, and ongoing utility communications.
• Identify, evaluate, and secure potential project sites through feasibility assessments, market research, and development opportunity analysis.
• Conduct market and regulatory research to identify opportunities for expansion into new markets.
• Monitor interconnection queue positions, project milestones, system upgrade requirements, timelines, and associated costs.
• Negotiate and manage land leases, purchase agreements, easements, rights-of-way, and other real estate agreements through execution and applicable closing or payment milestones.
• Develop project-specific permitting strategies and coordinate zoning approvals, site plan reviews, special-use permits, variances, and other required municipal approvals.
• Ensure projects comply with applicable federal, state, and local environmental, land use, and permitting requirements.
• Coordinate environmental, geotechnical, survey, civil engineering, hydrological, title, and other due diligence activities.
• Collaborate with engineering teams regarding project layouts, site constraints, constructability, design development, and utility coordination.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with municipalities, utilities, landowners, consultants, regulatory agencies, community representatives, and other stakeholders.
• Represent our client at municipal meetings, public hearings, industry events, stakeholder meetings, and community outreach activities.
• Support project financing, commercial transactions, and project sales activities as required.
• Identify and manage applicable incentive programs, funding opportunities, and grant applications.
• Prepare executive-level reports, project status updates, development schedules, pipeline reports, and other management information.
• Manage consultant scopes of work, development agreements, contracts, project documentation, and associated budgets.
• Coordinate the transition of projects to Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Operations teams, ensuring a complete and well-documented development handoff.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, Planning, Real Estate, Project Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Thorough understanding of renewable energy project development and the project development lifecycle.
• Knowledge of zoning regulations, land use planning, permitting processes, and environmental compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with utility interconnection processes and electric distribution systems.
• Strong organizational, analytical, project management, and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence a broad range of stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and project management software.
• Experience with project scheduling and planning tools preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel to project sites, municipal meetings, stakeholder engagements, and other business activities as required.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in solar project development, renewable energy, land development, real estate development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects through land acquisition, permitting, utility interconnection, and development.
• Direct experience coordinating utility interconnection applications, studies, approvals, and utility communications strongly preferred.
• Experience working with municipalities, planning boards, regulatory agencies, consultants, utilities, landowners, and other project stakeholders.
• Experience in community solar, distributed generation, or energy storage project development strongly preferred.