Director Solar Utility-Scale Project Development (Eastern Region)

Company: 174 Power Global
Location: Irvine
Posted on: April 8, 2021

Job Description:

174 Power Global designs, builds and manages solar power plant solutions. The company brings a decade of global leadership in solar PV to North America, combining best-of-world technology, processes and partnerships to deliver utility-grade solar PV solutions customized for local energy markets. 174 Power Global offers the full spectrum of PV solutions - from power plant development, design, construction, operations and maintenance. With proven capabilities across the solar value chain, 174 Power Global minimizes uncertainty and risk and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in solar energy. POSITION OVERVIEW
The Director Solar Utility-Scale Project Development (Eastern Region) is responsible for driving high growth through origination, development and management of a robust solar pipeline of projects in various stages of development, by leveraging 174 Power Global's project financing and internal EPC and development resources. The role of the Director of Project Development (Utility-scale) is to support the company's Eastern region strategy through origination of new greenfield sites, continued development of existing sites and/or lead the acquisition of new sites in key areas of growth in PJM or MISO regions. This candidate will identify opportunities on the basis of co-development relationships with project developers and well as individual projects under development or operation. This position will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team involved in all stages of project development, from conception through the start of construction and requires regular team collaboration. This position reports to the Head of Development, U.S. Eastern Region and is expected to travel at least 30-40% of the time depending on candidate's location relative to PJM and MISO market focus. RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop strategic plan and manage budget needs for PJM or MISO areas in conjunction with Head of Development, U.S. East Region and continuously drive the completion of strategic milestones that will materially advance a project through the various stages of project development through start of construction;
• Develop, advance, and manage development of existing or new downstream utility-scale solar projects (50 MW or greater selling to utilities or corporates) including offtake, permitting, interconnection, land, community relations, stakeholder management and all related budgets;
• Communicate on a regular basis in meetings or with presentations to Supervisor and other team members, including visits to CA headquarters as needed to foment strong collaboration among a multidisciplinary team based in Irvine;
• Aggressively pursue, quantify, drive, and close solar project deals for near term revenue or long- term portfolio management;
• Develop and create bid proposals with creative, well-conceived winning bid strategies and optimized economics, factoring in lease, loan financing options, module and BOS assumptions internally approved by company;
  
  • Work closely with different internal teams to negotiate contract terms (project finance, engineering, project management, procurement and legal);
  • Actively monitor and manage the progress of projects via periodic meetings to assess the development status, issue resolution, budget and schedule of each project.
  • Assist with financial models, PowerPoint presentations (internal and external audiences), internal reporting, weekly team meetings and relevant regulatory research as needed;
  • Responsible for the overall development of a large commercial solar project portfolio in PJM or MISO region;
  • Foster and maintain key business and government customer relationships while also identifying and expanding key development partnerships in local communities, with potential partners, corporate buyers, etc.;
  • Originate creative new business opportunities in the Eastern Interconnect region of the US territory, continuously drive the completion of strategic milestones that will materially advance a project through the various stages of project development and lead the project as the main contact point.
  • Provide business vendor reviews and qualifications to strengthen and maintaining existing contacts of major equipment suppliers and develop new vendor relationships.
  • Develop a thorough understanding of the various incentives and market drivers for each state and system operator, and communicate this information to appropriate managers.
  • Advance the integration of various battery technologies into the eastern solar projects as appropriate or where regional market conditions support the deployment of energy storage systems.
  • Direct and lead corporate response to RFPs/RFQs regarding plant integrator, equipment and technology selection.
  • Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and business ethics codes;
  • Identify and secure suitable project sites, perform cost/feasibility analysis, pricing analysis, contract and concession agreement negotiations;
  • Negotiate land leases and easements, managing landowner relationships and collaborating closely with internal real estate legal and support teams at headquarters;
  • Identify, manage and secure interconnection agreements while leading the overall interconnection strategy for a specific market area;
  • Secure permits required by local, county, state and federal jurisdictions, and managing community relations in collaboration with the company's Permitting specialists.
  • Obtain internal approvals to allow projects to advance, including processing PRs/ POs, initiating WBS documentation, preparing project for Investment Committee approval and maintaining overall budget and schedule for project in compliance with approvals.
  • Provide overall project direction and spearhead the creation and advancement of regional pipeline as primary lead for all project aspects.
    REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
    
    • BS/BA with a minimum of 10 - 15 years of experience in large scale solar projects development (50
    • MW or larger)
    • Demonstrated track record of consistently sourcing and advancing projects through various stages of development to start of construction.
    • Strong fluency in solar project finance, contracts, utility interconnection, and construction/ EPC
    • issues
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
    • Superior understanding of customer and PJM or MISO market dynamics and future requirements/trends; preferably living within PJM or MISO markets.
    • Willingness to travel at least 30% of the time and work with a global team of professionals
    • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and must be a strong team player with experience working in teams while also being a self-driver to optimize growth in key markets.
    • High degree of professionalism and conduct at all times
    • Excellent organizational skills
    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
    • Able to multi-task, set priorities, meet deadlines, manage schedules and actively maintain budgets. Self-starter and originator.
    • Confidence and ability to interact with people at all levels of the organization
    • Advanced technical knowledge (e.g., familiarity with renewable technologies, power markets, legislation, regulatory issues).
    • Microsoft Office Suite proficiency required
      174 Power Global provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Keywords: 174 Power Global, Irvine , Director Solar Utility-Scale Project Development (Eastern Region), Executive , Irvine, California