Project Development Manager

~ Innogy Renewables US currently develops, with plans to construct and operate, plants for generating electricity and energy from renewable sources. ~

Our objective is to rapidly expand the use of renewables in the US, focusing on wind and solar, by ourselves and with the help of our partners. In this way we can successfully transform the energy sector together. 

Headquartered in Chicago, IL and with offices in Pittsburgh, PA, our team will be developing and operating new generation capacity to produce clean, domestic power consistent with innogy’s core mission.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Development of Innogy Renewables US, the Project Development Manager (PDM) will assist with the full development of wind and/or solar power projects and prospects sourced through acquisition and/or organic opportunities in target markets of the US. Key activities will range from land acquisition and permitting to conceptual design, planning, securing interconnection and commercial offtake opportunities in collaboration with both internal and external team resources.

The PDM assures compliance with environmental, construction and other permit requirements for all of Innogy’s utility scale renewable projects and acquisition prospects, working with appropriate domestic and international standards, and evaluating risks and developing and implementing appropriate mitigation actions. The PDM focus is to assist with identification and pursuit of new growth opportunities through both greenfield and M&A processes in a highly competitive and fast-paced, high growth environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage the due-diligence review of prospective wind and/or solar development asset acquisitions.
• Lead local state, federal and regional permitting of wind and solar projects.
• Create and support project development plans to meet Innogy’s objectives and implement the plans to manage projects within time, quality and budget parameters.
• Provide strategic support to Business Development Managers and aid decision making through project permitting, development and due-diligence as required.
• Create and maintain effective communication and supportive relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, and especially with project landowners, to ensure that project-specific requirements are effectively negotiated and secured.
• Develop and implement the strategy for securing project grid interconnection and transmission.
• Work with internal and external engineering teams to ensure a timely wind monitoring regime are in place to provide bankable wind resource studies.
• Optimize equipment choices and layouts with Procurement and Technical Teams, identifying value-enhancing measures during design iterations.
• Create and maintain project updates and progress reports; identify risks and possible solutions for discussion with team members.
• Identify value-added and profitability influencers through development, regulatory and permitting analysis to improve project bankability.
• Ensure project-specific financial assessments capture all corresponding development, permitting and operational cost assumptions to support accurate financial modelling.
• Address and balance conflicting project priorities and timelines on a continual basis with available resources and teams.
• Research wind and solar energy markets and competition on an ongoing basis.
• Maintain a commitment to and an awareness of all health and safety (HSE) policies and requirements.

Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent in relevant disciplines (i.e. engineering, environmental, MBA, urban planning).
• Strong and proven track record of successful development of US wind and solar projects in various markets.
• Ability to quickly understand the basics of a variety of subjects relating to wind and solar energy; including resource studies, environmental studies, transmission issues, public relations, public policy, sales, and civil and electrical engineering.
• Competent in the application of standard project-management control tools and techniques including project planning, cost management, risk management, progress measurement, and control / reporting of project information.
• Display a strong drive to deliver results, persistent in overcoming obstacles and eager to take responsibility for making things happen in a complex development landscape.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work in teams and apply integrative skills.
• Flexibility to work both independently and with domestic and international groups.
• Experience in managing remote and indirect internal and external workforces, including consultants and contractors.
• Flexibility to travel as required, supporting the US business plan.
• Strong analytical, verbal and written communication skills.