Director of Project Development- Distributed Solor & Storage

ENGIE North America is committed to reshaping the energy future through the global implementation of a lower carbon energy economy to preserve the world’s natural resources.  We are looking for talented and driven people who are committed to making the vision a reality.

The Director of Project Development ensures the Company’s distributed solar + storage assets are planned, sited, permitted, and prepared for construction in a manner that meets the performance requirements and goals of the organization. The Director of Project Development is also responsible for aligning with other key groups in DSS to ensure our projects can be successful.

The Director will build, guide, and manage a team of developers and real estate experts in ENGIE’s Distributed Solar and Storage (DSS) organization. This key function plays two main roles: the development team, who is responsible for executing on early, mid and late-stage distributed solar + storage projects and the greenfield land team, who is responsible for growing our early stage pipeline and supporting land acquisition and entitlement activities across DSS.

This position can sit in Chicago, IL or Houston, TX and will report to the Vice President of Distributed Solar and Storage. This position is open to a hybrid schedule of both in-office and work-from-home days. 

The safety of our employees is our number one priority. All employees at ENGIE have both a duty and the authority to STOP WORK if unsafe acts are observedThe safety of our employees is our number one priority. All employees at ENGIE have both a duty and the authority to STOP WORK if unsafe acts are observed.

What you'll do: 

• Direct and manage ENGIE’s Distributed Solar + Storage (DSS) Project Development Team, which will include managing a team of  direct reports and growing project pipeline to achieve our organizational goals on efficiently and effectively taking projects to notice to proceed

• Focus on process improvement and key driver in creating and implementing our team strategy; the Director will be part of the DSS Lead Team and will work closely with other leaders across the organization

• Manage and provide guidance to the team on the management of both internal and external subject matter experts to complete all land acquisition, environmental, local/state/federal permitting, interconnection, real estate and design activities

• Provide guidance and mentorship to direct reports and others across the organization on both day to day project decisions and career development

• Along with the team, represent ENGIE with customers, landowners, and local/state/regional stakeholders as needed and keep them informed throughout the development process; this includes attending community engagement events, conferences, policy/advocacy group meetings and other local events

• Work closely with DSS Business Development team on M&A opportunities and ensure efficient handoff from that organization to project development

• Lead the preparation and presentation for project/market reviews both at both the DSS level and global level management committees, including quarterly pipeline reviews and management vettings

• Support energy offtake, financing, and project M&A discussions, including due diligence activities

• Ensure projects are progressing on schedule and within budget

• Represent ENGIE at national solar and renewable energy events as an attendee, speaker, panelist and solar energy leader

• Assist with other tasks as assigned

What you'll bring: 

• A minimum of a four (4) year degree is required with a focus in Engineering, Business, Environmental Sciences,  Economics or related field is  preferred

• A minimum of 10 or more years of experience in  renewable energy development or comparable experience; distributed solar  

• High degree of creative problem-solving acumen, especially in the context of renewables transactions and project development

• Comfortable resolving and settling challenging commercial disagreements – always poised and professional with internal and external stakeholders

• Strong understanding of renewable energy market trends and  solar project development. Previous experience with distributed/community solar project development is required

• Results-oriented leader with the ability to work independently within a large matrixed organization while effectively interfacing with the various cross-functional employee groups

• Proven record of accomplishment in renewable energy development, including experience taking projects through financing

• Thorough understanding of land easements/leases and title curative requirements

• Ability to thrive in quickly changing environment and manage multiple high-stakes transactions simultaneously

• Superior verbal and written communication skills and high level of attention to detail with the ability to present to a wide range of audiences, including third party developers, landowners, potential off takers, government officials, and corporate leaders

• Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint; CRM tools a plus