J&T

Compensation

Full Description

Title: Director, Development Supervisor: VP, Development Location: State of Illinois Salary Range: $140,000 – $170,000 USD Bonus Opportunity: Up to 35% of annual salary Position Overview We are seeking a Director of Development to lead the identification, origination, and advancement of community solar, standalone energy storage, and distributed generation opportunities across the region. This role requires a blend of strategic planning and hands-on execution—managing a team of developers while collaborating cross-functionally to drive projects from initial site control through Notice to Proceed (NTP). The ideal candidate is an experienced leader with a passion for clean energy, deep market insight, and a proven ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Team Management • Develop and execute regional strategy to grow the project pipeline in alignment with organizational goals. • Manage, mentor, and build the capabilities of a dedicated team of development managers and associates. • Set and monitor stage-gate criteria for capital investments, evaluating project risk and success metrics at every phase. • Report portfolio progress, budget adherence, and risk profiles to executive leadership while optimizing internal processes for scale. Pipeline & Project Execution • Oversee full-cycle development for a large portfolio ($100+\text{ MW}$), managing all stages from land acquisition through NTP. • Lead all core development functions, including siting, environmental permitting, utility interconnection, stakeholder engagement, and project budgeting. • Ensure projects adhere to aggressive schedules, proactively identifying and mitigating potential execution risks. • Direct negotiations for vendor contracts, service agreements, and consultant engagements. Commercial & Market Strategy • Leverage strong retail/wholesale market knowledge to expand opportunities across C&I (Commercial & Industrial) and MUSH (Municipal, Universities, Schools, Hospitals) sectors. • Structure and negotiate agreements for behind-the-meter (BTM) project developments with commercial off-takers. • Maximize federal tax incentive opportunities (e.g., ITC) while actively identifying revenue-stacking strategies and economic pathways for standalone viability. • Analyze and integrate energy storage deployments to balance evolving regulatory and policy landscapes. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management • Build and maintain durable relationships with landowners, municipal officials, regulators, utilities, and local communities. • Work closely with internal Real Estate, Interconnection, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and Construction teams to ensure seamless project handoffs and commercial alignment. Qualifications • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Environmental Science, Energy, or a related field; Master’s degree or PMP certification preferred. • Experience: 10+ years in renewable energy project development, utility-scale/distributed generation, or related energy sector management. • Leadership: Proven track record of direct team management, coaching, and talent retention. • Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of power market dynamics, permitting protocols, interconnection processes, and project development life cycles. • Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of project finance, commercial deal structuring, capital allocations, and revenue stacking. • Soft Skills: Excellent negotiation, public presentation, strategic decision-making, and organizational skills. • Travel: Willingness to travel regularly across the region as required by project development needs.