Development Director, Western US

~ Longroad Energy is a Boston, MA-headquartered renewable energy developer focused on the development and operation of wind and solar energy projects throughout North America. Longroad Energy was founded by the former executive team of First Wind Energy:  Paul Gaynor (First Wind co-founder and CEO), Michael Alvarez, Peter Keel, and Charles Spiliotis.  In 2015, First Wind was sold to a strategic investor for $2.4 billion. ~

The Longroad team has a consistent track record of successfully financing wind and solar projects, with several company principals and key employees focusing on sourcing construction and long-term capital for the projects, including debt and tax equity. The following provides a summary of the team’s collective track record since 2008:

• Completed development and closed financing for 33 projects with approximately 3,300 MW of nameplate capacity, including four high-voltage transmission lines.
• Raised over $11 billion of capital, including project finance debt, tax equity, corporate debt, partnerships, and sponsor equity (with notable financing transactions closed during the global financial crisis).
• In 2015 post acquisition of First Wind, raised over $4 billion of capital

Position Overview

The Development Director for Western US will be responsible for leading activities related to the development of solar, wind, and storage projects in this region. Work will include the creation and implementation of a market plan for the Western US transmission region.

Activities will include prospecting for wind and solar sites and due diligence to support M&A, negotiating land agreements, acquiring local, state and federal permits and approvals, completing local and state tax agreements, real estate surveys and title work, and performing other development work to support project financing. The position requires working extensively with internal subject matter experts to support origination, legal, interconnection, wind resources, environmental and permitting, construction planning, government affairs, engineering and finance activities throughout the development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Work with senior management to achieve the market plan by evaluating project pipeline, assessing project viability / economics and providing guidance to internal and external members of the development team.
• Coordinate with our environmental / permitting team for permitting requirements such as wildlife and impact studies. Manage outside consultants’ budgets and scope, work with local and state permitting agencies to ensure compliance with permitting requirements.
• Meet with landowners, and community stakeholders to establish a positive, long-term relationship with host communities.
• Work with wind and solar resources teams to install data gathering equipment and perform a thorough site assessment for wind and solar energy projects. This includes collection of wind and solar data, project layouts, geographical analysis and turbine design recommendations.
• Assist origination team with analyzing off-take, developing revenue plans and submissions to corporate, utilities and municipal requests for proposals.
• Work with the financial and commercial team to create and manage the financial project model. Lead and assist in any sales origination, negotiation and execution of the PPA.
• Partner with the engineering and construction teams to assist in project scoping, budgeting and management.
• Ensure project milestones are met through the development process. This includes compiling and organizing data for presentation to the investment committee to assess development risk versus spending at various stages of the project’s life.
• Continue to build the project pipeline and manage multiple projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years managing multiple development projects in a planning, environmental, legal, finance or engineering capacity. 5 – 7years of experience preferred. Projects should be in power generation, utilities, or industrial real estate development.
• Experience developing solar projects in the Western US transmission territory is preferred.
• College degree required. Graduate degree preferred.
• Possess subject matter expertise in a business function directly related to the development process.
• Experience with leading or managing others.
• Financial analysis and budgeting skills, formal project management training and skills or policy analysis experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong negotiation and presentation skills.
• Ability to create forms, letters and fundamental spreadsheets using MS Word and Excel. Ability to create presentations in Power Point. Ability to perform internet-based research.
• Self-motivated with ability to work in a team and independently.
• Safe driving record, valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to walk over undeveloped land unassisted, travel unassisted and sit at a computer for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends to attend meetings and community events. 30-50% travel in region will be required during business hours in support of the position responsibilities.
• Characteristics Necessary for Success
• A focus on developing successful projects that create value for the company and as a result, the development team.
• Ability to collaborate and create support for development projects both inside and outside the company.
• Comfortable with fast paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to make informed decisions quickly and a bias for action.
• Passionate and enthusiastic about alternative energy.
• Self-starter with desire to succeed.
• Integrity and accountability.

Compensation Program

• Longroad Energy has a highly competitive compensation program that rewards developers for success, is paid out of successful deals, and is uncapped.
• The compensation program aligns incentives so that when the company does well the developer does well.

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off