Solar Project Development Director

Title: Director, Development

Supervisor: VP, Development

Location: State of Illinois

Salary Range: $140,000 – $170,000 USD

Bonus Opportunity: Up to 35% of annual salary

Position Overview

We are seeking a Director of Development to lead the identification, origination, and advancement of community solar, standalone energy storage, and distributed generation opportunities across the region. This role requires a blend of strategic planning and hands-on execution—managing a team of developers while collaborating cross-functionally to drive projects from initial site control through Notice to Proceed (NTP).

The ideal candidate is an experienced leader with a passion for clean energy, deep market insight, and a proven ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Team Management

• Develop and execute regional strategy to grow the project pipeline in alignment with organizational goals.
  

• Manage, mentor, and build the capabilities of a dedicated team of development managers and associates.
  

• Set and monitor stage-gate criteria for capital investments, evaluating project risk and success metrics at every phase.
  

• Report portfolio progress, budget adherence, and risk profiles to executive leadership while optimizing internal processes for scale.
  

Pipeline & Project Execution

• Oversee full-cycle development for a large portfolio ($100+\text{ MW}$), managing all stages from land acquisition through NTP.
  

• Lead all core development functions, including siting, environmental permitting, utility interconnection, stakeholder engagement, and project budgeting.
  

• Ensure projects adhere to aggressive schedules, proactively identifying and mitigating potential execution risks.
  

• Direct negotiations for vendor contracts, service agreements, and consultant engagements.
  

Commercial & Market Strategy

• Leverage strong retail/wholesale market knowledge to expand opportunities across C&I (Commercial & Industrial) and MUSH (Municipal, Universities, Schools, Hospitals) sectors.
  

• Structure and negotiate agreements for behind-the-meter (BTM) project developments with commercial off-takers.
  

• Maximize federal tax incentive opportunities (e.g., ITC) while actively identifying revenue-stacking strategies and economic pathways for standalone viability.
  

• Analyze and integrate energy storage deployments to balance evolving regulatory and policy landscapes.
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain durable relationships with landowners, municipal officials, regulators, utilities, and local communities.
  

• Work closely with internal Real Estate, Interconnection, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and Construction teams to ensure seamless project handoffs and commercial alignment.
  

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Environmental Science, Energy, or a related field; Master’s degree or PMP certification preferred.
  

• Experience: 10+ years in renewable energy project development, utility-scale/distributed generation, or related energy sector management.
  

• Leadership: Proven track record of direct team management, coaching, and talent retention.
  

• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of power market dynamics, permitting protocols, interconnection processes, and project development life cycles.
  

• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of project finance, commercial deal structuring, capital allocations, and revenue stacking.
  

• Soft Skills: Excellent negotiation, public presentation, strategic decision-making, and organizational skills.
  

• Travel: Willingness to travel regularly across the region as required by project development needs.