Civil Engineering Manager - New Leaf Energy, Inc.
Chicago, IL
About the Job
New Leaf Energy is an experienced clean energy developer that partners with landowners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. We identify high-value sites, work with landowners and local communities to develop them, and partner with long-term asset owners to bring the most impactful clean energy projects to life.
New Leaf Energy is looking for a Civil Engineering Manager to join our growing team and support the development of renewable energy projects. In this role, you will be responsible for leading a team of engineers and collaborating with project developers and engineering consultants to review, design, and obtain permits for solar PV, energy storage, and wind projects. The successful candidate will need to carefully balance due diligence efforts with project risks to advance New Leaf Energy's projects. This position reports to the Vice President of Civil Engineering.
This position may be filled out of our Lowell, MA, Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, and Troy, NY offices. (Internal remote candidates will also be considered.) We value in-person collaboration and offer a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and are free to work from the office or home on other days.
About the Role
The Civil Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day team leadership and project development tasks, and defining the strategic approach to those in response to New Leaf Energy's business goals. In addition, they will provide hands-on oversight of all technical aspects of assigned projects and ensure that the team follows established processes to maintain consistent output in line with NLE standards and AHJ requirements. The manager will also work closely with other functions to streamline cross-functional communications and handoffs. Furthermore, they will conduct training to enhance internal technical capability, author SOPs, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and support the professional development of the team members they manage.
Primary duties include, but are not limited to:
- Day-to-day team leadership of a team of 5-7 civil engineers;
- Work breakdown, task assignment, and progress monitoring in support of the business's overarching goals;
- Mentoring and coaching engineers;
- Site review, zoning/bylaws review, and outlining entitlement path;
- Reviewing engineering calculations and design drawings prepared by in-house or external consultants;
- Working with state agencies, towns, and other stakeholders, as well as presenting to planning/zoning boards and state and federal agencies;
- Managing survey, environmental, and engineering sub-consultants;
- Assisting engineering leadership in resource planning;
- Assisting in the continued development of SOPs and engineering standards;
- Deeply collaborating with cross-functional engineering, project development, real estate, project finance, and policy teams.
Desired Qualifications
While no one individual is likely to possess them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences, skills, and attributes. If you're unsure of whether you meet enough of the qualifications below but believe that your experience and skill set is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply!
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering (master's degree preferred);
- Active PE license;
- 8-15 years' experience in site development, entitlement, and environmental permitting (municipal, state, federal);
- Solar PV or energy storage experience;
- Team leadership experience, through direct or indirect management;
- Willingness to understand and practice the New Leaf North Star and to promote it with direct reports and others (for external candidates – internal candidates are expected to fully understand and use the North Leaf North Star);
- Resource planning and engineering project management experience;
- Experience in reviewing engineering services contracts, should-cost estimation, and managing subconsultants;
- AutoCAD Civil 3D and HYDROCAD (or equivalent design tools) proficiency;
- Ability to communicate design concepts and lead meetings between clients, engineers, regulatory officials, and consultants;
- Ability to identify and build consensus around process improvement opportunities and lead the implementation of those;
- Ability to manage multiple projects while being highly motivated, detailed, and organized.
Compensation
New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market-competitive base salary, plus above-market variable compensation, plus an equity-like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership. We use a data-driven and transparent methodology to calibrate compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable, guided by the New Leaf Energy compensation manual, which is available to all employees.
Under our compensation framework, the likely base salary range for this position in Chicago is $146,460-$167,150. The on-target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 20% of base salary. Your actual salary may be above, in, or below this range, depending on your location and experience. Our office locations in Lowell, Boston, Oakland, and Chicago all carry geography-based upward adjustments to the base pay range.
We value transparency and can share more during the interview process.
Benefits and Culture
New Leaf Energy's success is driven by our collaborative, long-term relationships based on trust and transparency. We offer a flexible work environment that places significant responsibility in independent teams and creates opportunities for innovation and personal growth. New Leaf Energy's benefits are designed to appropriately recognize our employees' contributions and enable a reasonable work/life balance. Our benefits include:
- Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental and vision;
- A 401k plan with immediate vesting and a company match (100% of the first three percent of your pay; 50% for the next two percent you contribute);
- An open and self-managed paid time-off policy;
- A hybrid work location policy that supports working from home for part of the week;
- A parental leave policy for both birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire;
- Professional development and education assistance.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
New Leaf Energy values the diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and contributions of all employees. We want all our employees to feel like they belong and are empowered to be their most authentic selves at work. We're actively committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive environment not only within our own organization but also within the clean energy industry.
We seek a diverse candidate pool in this–and every–search. New Leaf Energy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, New Leaf Energy complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO M/F/D/V.
A Note to Third-Party Recruiters
New Leaf Energy's People + Culture team coordinates all recruiting and hiring at our company. New Leaf Energy does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies. Resumes are only accepted from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies if a signed agreement is in place AND if external recruiting assistance is authorized by the People + Culture team for a specific position. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of New Leaf Energy. New Leaf Energy is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.