VP Project Development

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Full job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

A. Overview

B. Position Summary

Responsibilities:

• § Strategic Oversight of Project Planning and Execution: Provide executive leadership for the planning,
• development, and construction of Optimize microgrid and distributed generation projects. Drive strategic
• alignment between project goals and organizational objectives, ensuring high-impact delivery of Solar,
• Wind, Geothermal, Biomass, Biogas, CCHP Systems, Energy Storage, and Energy Conservation Measures
• (ECMs).
• § Leadership in Feasibility and Risk Assessment: Oversee advanced viability assessments, including site
• analysis, fatal flaw studies, and risk mitigation strategies. Ensure technical, financial, and regulatory due
• diligence across all project development phases.
• § Evaluation and Optimization: Lead comprehensive reviews of site information, energy modeling, utility
• interconnection, and technology performance. Champion innovation by identifying opportunities for
• system improvements and optimization, ensuring all projects meet the highest standards of resilience and
• efficiency.
• § Financial Acumen: Collaborate with the executive finance team on structuring and negotiating complex
• financial arrangements, such as Energy Service Agreements (ESAs), Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs),
• Equity/Debt Financing, Sale-Leasebacks, and Tax Equity Investments. Provide thought leadership on
• financial modeling for integrated clean and renewable energy technologies.
• § Partner Management: Spearhead negotiations with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC)
• providers, OEMs, and contractors. Develop and maintain strategic partnerships, ensuring contracts are
• structured to optimize project economics and mitigate risks.
• § Regulatory and Permitting Strategy: Direct permitting efforts for multi-technology renewable energy
• projects, maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Anticipate regulatory challenges
• and proactively develop strategies to address them.
• § Advanced Project Scheduling and Resource Allocation: Oversee the development and management of
• critical path schedules and milestone tracking for all projects. Ensure optimal resource allocation across a
• portfolio of projects, balancing efficiency with delivery timelines. Integrate scheduling effectively with EPCs
• and other contractors.
• § Operational Excellence in O&M: Establish and refine an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) management
• program for completed projects. Lead initiatives to improve service responsiveness, reliability, and cost
• § Performance Metrics and Process Standardization: Drive the implementation of key performance
• indicators (KPIs) and benchmarks for project development. Promote continuous improvement by
• standardizing business processes, metrics, and best practices across all operational areas.
• § Crisis Management and Problem-Solving: Serve as the escalation point for high-impact challenges during
• project development and execution. Lead cross-functional teams in developing rapid and effective
• solutions to on-site and off-site issues.
• Optimize Renewables, LLC
• 10312 Governor Lane Boulevard, Suite 5012 Williamsport, MD 21795 USA
• www.OptimizeRenewables.com 301.778.9300
• § Commissioning Leadership: Oversee the commissioning and integration of microgrid and renewable
• energy projects, ensuring seamless handoffs from development to construction to operational teams.
• § Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Act as the primary interface with executive leadership,
• investors, regulatory bodies, and other key stakeholders. Build consensus across diverse groups to achieve
• project and organizational goals.
• § Executive Reporting: Lead project reporting and present outcomes, strategies, and forecasts to the Board
• of Directors and other senior stakeholders. Provide clear, data-driven insights into project performance and
• pipeline development.
• § Team Leadership and Development: Build and mentor a high-performing project development team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration while championing quality, safety, and
• § Business Development: Identify new market opportunities and partnerships to expand the Optimize
• portfolio. Actively participate in industry forums and events to position the company as a leader in
• microgrid and renewable energy solutions.
• § Compliance and Risk Mitigation: Ensure that all projects adhere to legal, environmental, and safety
• standards. Develop proactive risk management frameworks to safeguard organizational assets and
• reputation.
• § Thought Leadership: Stay abreast of emerging technologies in microgrids and renewable energy. Advocate
• for and lead the adoption of ‘bankable’ leading-edge practices and technologies to even more effectively
• serve Optimize customers.
• § Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the Optimize Business Solutions, Finance, Operations, and
• Legal teams to ensure alignment on project development strategies. Support the development of
• proposals, RFP responses, and customer-facing materials to secure new business.
• § Scalability and Organizational Growth: Design frameworks to scale project development processes and
• expand capabilities to meet future demand. Prepare Optimize for growth by implementing scalable
• systems and practices.
• § Visionary Leadership: Serve as a key member of the Optimize Leadership Team, contributing to the
• overall strategic direction of the organization. Foster an environment of balance, innovation, fiscal
• responsibility, and urgency in achieving the company's mission.

C. Qualifications

• 1. Knowledge and Skills
• § Experience taking resiliency and clean energy projects from conception to completion, with
• impressive track record in originating and developing bankable renewable energy projects.
• § Motivated to build a timely resiliency and clean energy solutions company with experienced growth
• managers/entrepreneurs.
• Optimize Renewables, LLC
• 10312 Governor Lane Boulevard, Suite 5012 Williamsport, MD 21795 USA
• www.OptimizeRenewables.com 301.778.9300
• § A desire to work on projects related to alternative energy, and community development /
• sustainability.
• § Solid knowledge of the resiliency and renewable power sector, its key stakeholders, and the
• regulatory environment.
• § Excellent project management skills with a strong quantitative and analytical ability.
• § Ability to rapidly integrate new concepts, standards, and processes into the company toolbox to
• deliver scale and systemic efficiency.
• § Experience working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• § Strong team approach based on mutual respect and a positive attitude.
• § Ability to work with different teams to ensure sound management of project development
• opportunities from the identification process to the integration of new assets in the organization.
• § Understanding of the importance of standard operating procedures, safety, respect, and integrity.
• § Commitment to providing exceptional customer communication and service.
• § Well established network of contacts with industry stakeholders, on the ground developers, off-takers, government representatives and financial stakeholders in the renewable energy industry.
• 2. Competencies
• § Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel (or similar), and foundational research tools.
• § Strong business acumen. Ability to quickly assess the potential value and risks of a business
• opportunity and prioritize potential project development opportunities accordingly.
• § Self-motivated with proven ability to perform at a high level with limited oversight and management.
• § Experience with engineering design packages and reading schematics.
• § Exceptional attention-to-detail and organization skills.
• § Strong analytical skills for problem-solving.
• § Organizational skills including: Multi-tasking, prioritizing, planning, and effective time management.
• § Creative thinker, independent worker and self-starter.
• § Operates from an understanding and demonstration of emotional intelligence.
• § Ability to work under tight deadlines as part of a high-performance, interdisciplinary team.
• § Proven experience managing EPCs and related project contractors and specialists.
• § Strong negotiation skills. Ability to present points of view in an effective way, representing well the
• interests and position of the organization and gain support for ideas.
• § Effectively develops and maintains strong personal and organizational relationships with internal and
• external staff, as well as related organizations.
• 3. Education
• § Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Legal, Science, or related field.
• § Master’s Degree is a plus.
• 4. Experience
• § 5-7 years of relevant design, development, and construction project management experience in a
• distributed generation clean energy industry, preferably at an energy-related company.
• § Experience in a high-growth company (preferably project development) including entrepreneurial
• flexibility to manage dynamic, challenging situations.
• 5. Certifications
• § None Required, though acceditations in Project Management (PMP, CAPM, or Six Sigma), Energy
• Management (CEM or LEED AP), or Engineering (PE or PME), may be differentiating.
• D. Key Relationships
• § Reports to the Chief Business Solutions Officer (CBSO). As of now, this position has scope to grow into a
• senior leadership Operations role.
• § Works collaboratively with the CEO, CFO, and COO.
• § Coordinates with customers, partners and funders, including government agencies, foundations, and
• non-profits.
• E. Physical Requirements
• § This position works from our offices and requires the ability to operate general office equipment
• including, but not limited to computers, copiers, and telephones.
• § The person in this position will commonly communicate in person, by phone, or video conferencing, and
• in writing with peers, managers, subordinates, clients, and board members, and must be able to
• exchange accurate and timely information in these situations.
• § Occasional, or even frequent, local or regional travel may be required to keep up with customers, meet
• with partners, attend conferences, or visit project sites.
• § Responsibilities may include physical activities such as standing or sitting for extended periods of time.
• § The position also requires field duties requiring significant walking, often in physical plants as well
• as in raw natural (usually) environments, although usually on relatively flat land.
• F. Working Environment
• § This position typically operates in an office environment, with flexibility to work remotely as needed.
• § The person in this role must be willing to work flexible hours, with occasional evening and weekend
• hours.
• § Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet project development deadlines.
• § The person in this role must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-growth company environment.
• Optimize Renewables LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants
• will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status,
• military status, protected veteran status, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status,
• sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, or any other basis protected by
• law, ordinance, or regulation.