utility Scale Development Director
$190,000–$286,000 year
On-siteChicago, Illinois, United States
Job Summary
Develop and oversee utility-scale solar, wind, and energy storage projects from greenfielding through start of construction, directing cross-functional teams without direct people-management authority. Manage the full project lifecycle including site due diligence, permitting, interconnection, and financing support while establishing budgets and driving cost-estimating activities. Lead critical negotiations with landowners, utilities, and regulators to resolve high-complexity issues and optimize engineering design for improved returns. Prepare executive-level investment recommendations and support power marketing and transaction processes for acquisitions and divestitures. Provide strategic mentorship to Development Managers and shape regional development strategy and internal process improvements. This full-time, permanent role requires 11+ years of experience and involves up to 50% travel.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, business/economics, environmental science, planning, public policy, or a related field
- Advanced degree
- Minimum of 11 years of relevant work experience
- At least 4 years of utility-scale wind, solar, or battery storage development experience in the United States
- Demonstrated success independently leading complex, capital-intensive energy or infrastructure projects through multiple development stages
- Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and managing external consultants, advisors, contractors, or strategic partners
- Expert knowledge of utility-scale project development, including land acquisition, permitting, interconnection, engineering, preconstruction, stakeholder engagement, commercial structuring, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management
- Exceptional project and portfolio management skills, including the ability to establish priorities, drive accountability, and deliver results across multiple complex workstreams
- Proven ability to lead through influence, align diverse cross-functional stakeholders, and resolve disagreements without relying on direct reporting authority
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including the ability to assess project economics, development tradeoffs, capital requirements, and risk-adjusted value
- Excellent analytical, negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to develop practical solutions to ambiguous or high-impact issues
- Excellent executive communication skills and the ability to translate detailed project information into concise recommendations for senior leadership
- Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with landowners, communities, government officials, regulators, utilities, partners, and internal stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
- Motivated self-starter who is goal-oriented, detail-oriented, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities independently while contributing effectively as part of a team
- Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams
- Ability to travel up to 50%
- Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for extended periods of time
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States
- RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time
Desired Qualifications
- Advanced degree preferred
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