Senior Development Manager

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Senior Development Manager - Utility-Scale Greenfield Solar and Energy Storage

AES Clean Energy (AES CE) is currently seeking a Senior Development Manager to lead utility-scale project development efforts as a member of AES CE's Greenfield Utility Development team. The Greenfield team is tasked with development of solar and solar + storage projects. The successful candidate will manage project development efforts and lead a team of subject matter experts from project inception, through contracting, and up to commencement of construction. This includes project permitting, coordinating site studies and diligence, managing the interconnection process, managing project development budgets and schedule, contract management and ensuring projects successfully reach construction commencement.

This position will be based in Richmond, VA and reports to the regional Development lead. Remote or hybrid work location is available. The role requires the ability to work on multiple tasks and projects and requires travel as needed. The successful candidate will work on a cross functional team with strategic development, power marketing, legal, finance, engineering, construction, and outside consultants, landowners, customers, project stakeholders and utility companies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of development of solar and energy storage projects from greenfield early stage through construction support
• Taking over late stage development projects and managing to complete hand off to construction
• Represent AES Clean Energy professionally and competently during all aspects of project development
• Support in management of key stakeholders for each project
• Develop and manage project development schedules, budgets, and models
• Identify and clearly articulate project risks, opportunities, and recommendation action(s)
• Utilize AES CE financial and project management system(s) ensuring key project information is up-to-date and accurate
• Process contracts and agreements with external vendors for project-related services
• Lead project meetings, develop agendas and action items as needed with internal and external stakeholders
• Manage contract obligations in key project documents (Site Control, PPA, etc.)
• Lead Project Discretionary Permitting including permit strategy, tracking permit efforts, working with local AHJs, consultants, and counsel
• Presenting at permit hearings and public meetings as needed
• Coordinate site diligence in conjunction with internal teams and consultants including critical issue screening, environmental studies, surveys, diligence reports, title review, property tax matters, community relations, etc.
• Develop, manage, solicit and score RFP responses from external consultants to develop recommended consultant engagement for site development services
• Managing the Interconnection process with internal interconnection team
• Coordinate internal and external teams to advance engineering and design to meet project schedule and milestones
• Coordinate with construction management team as needed on securing ministerial permits
• Participate in Project Handoffs once fully developed and permitted to construction management team
• Participate in project financings answering relevant diligence questions and providing required documents
• Coordinate additional resources or outside consultants/contractors as well as managing contracts and agreements throughout project development.
• Utilize internal project management software tracking and provide comments and feedback for tool improvement
• Manage project financial model, including all inputs and assumptions

Skills and Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 (five) years of project development experience in utility-scale solar energy or energy storage facilities or similar field.
• BA/BS degree required with concentration in business, finance, economics, engineering, environmental sciences and/or other quantitative/environmental fields
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Extensive knowledge of utility-scale, greenfield solar project development, energy storage facility development, utilities, interconnection, permitting, and contracting
• Extensive knowledge of renewable energy technologies
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required including public speaking and/or platform skills for executive management presentations
• Self-starter, very self-reliant and capable of operating with minimum supervision
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed
• Energy storage knowledge a plus
• Experience with financial modeling
• Experience utilizing CRM systems and developing metrics
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Safety comes first at AES. To protect the health and safety of our people, customers, communities and partners, and to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, AES requires all newly-hired people or current AES people applying for U.S.-based role(s), to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be willing to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by their date of hire. Except where prohibited by law or not specifically covered in a collective bargaining agreement, new hires and transfers will be required to provide proof of vaccination during onboarding and periodically thereafter. This policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities, as applicable.