Senior Project Developer - Heartland Solar Region - National Grid Renewables

National Grid Renewables is a full-service renewable energy company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. National Grid Renewables has developed over 2,400 megawatts of wind and solar projects that are either operational or currently under construction throughout the United States. National Grid Renewables has a multi-gigawatt development pipeline of wind and solar projects in various stages of development throughout the United States. National Grid Renewables provides custom solutions for utilities and corporations looking to harness renewable energy for business growth. With deep roots in agriculture, National Grid Renewables prides itself on developing renewable energy projects that are farmer-friendly, community-driven, and beneficial for rural communities. 

PositionDescription:
The Senior Developer’s essential functions and responsibilities include leading new business, advancing project development, understanding how to manage risks around project decisions, driving the project schedule, budgeting, and management of external relationships and consultants. This role will be leading a National Grid Renewables development project portfolio in MISO and SPP.

Core Responsibilities:             

• Lead the company in targeting; and evaluating markets to identify greenfield developments, Mergers & Acquisitions; and partnership opportunities in MISO West, MISO South and SPP.
• Work with the commercial and finance teams to prepare financial models, evaluate new technologies, and prepare compelling solutions for customers.
• Interface with the engineering and construction teams to ensure that projects are deliverable, considerate of site characteristics, and on-budget.
• Coordinate with the Transmission department to site strategic Points of Interconnection, provide supporting application materials, and track the interconnection process and obtain Generator Interconnect Agreements.
• Coordinate with the Real Estate department on title curative measures for the project.
• Work directly with the permitting department to manage state, federal, and local permitting efforts and approval processes for utility-scale electric generation projects.
• Represent National Grid Renewables with federal, state and local officials, regulators, utilities, transmission operators, and other stakeholders throughout the project development process. Effectively managing and maintain key stakeholder relationships necessary for the project to thrive.
• Secure purchase options, lease options, easements, and extensions through successful land negotiations.
• Manage external consultants, contractors, and/or land agents.
• Maintain strong relationships with project landowners.
• Support in obtaining abatements or other agreements as necessary to allow for construction of the projects.
• Strong presence in the local community through ability to represent the company and project at project open houses, events, and public hearings.
• Update internal data for reports and maintain project schedules.
• Provide input on written or verbal reports to management including updates on project status and changes to regulations.
• Manage and understand project risks as it relates to development and constructability.
• Manage annual development budget up to $3M for targeted project capital investment of over $400M.
• Lead development on approximately 7-9 early-stage project and approximately 2 mid to late stage.
• Travel approximately 40% of the time.
• Other duties as assigned.

                                                                               
Skills of a Senior Developer Include:

• Proficient project management skills and organization.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to pursue results and take project ownership.
• Ability to self-prioritize and plan work effectively.
• Ability to work independently and park of a team.
• Relationship management skills including but not limited to conflict resolution, negotiation, relationship building, stakeholder engagement, and emotional intelligence.
• Innovative in ability to analyze and present solutions to problems.

What You Bring to the Role:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

• 3-5 years of project development experience in renewable energy or a relatable industry (energy, real estate, commercial development, etc.) with demonstrated knowledge of energy markets is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver on large scale utility energy development projects is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience with public speaking or presentations is strongly preferred.
• Intermediate understanding of real property interests is preferred.
• Intermediate understanding of project constraints and conceptual engineering design is preferred.
• Willingness to work with and manage relationships with landowners and other stakeholders is required.

National Grid Renewables believe fostering diversity, equity and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility. Open, honest and respectful ways of working, learning and communicating are the cornerstones of a successful business, and leveraging inclusion and diversity lead to better business results. At National Grid Renewables, we’re focused on creating a work environment where our people feel respected and included, and therefore empowered to be themselves.