Senior Project Development Manager - SolAmerica Energy

SolAmerica Energy is a private equity-backed firm who develops, builds, owns, and operates distributed generation (DG) solar projects and energy storage solutions. 

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, SolAmerica has successfully developed and built solar power projects throughout the United States and has a growing pipeline of project opportunities in more than 20 states. 

SolAmerica is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and believes in attracting, retaining, and advancing employees who will best serve and represent its customers, partners, and communities. 

We promote fostering a work culture of mutual respect and teamwork, ensuring that everyone can grow and contribute at their greatest potential. For additional information about SolAmerica, visit www.solamericaenergy.com.

Requirements

The company is seeking a forward-thinking and detail-oriented Senior Project Development Manager (Senior PDM) position that will manage up to two direct reports and a portfolio of distributed generation solar projects through the development phase. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of the solar industry and solar project development, from real estate to interconnection to local permitting. A key requirement would be a track record of bringing solar projects from land control through development and successfully handing projects off to construction. 

A broad understanding of county zoning practices, solar energy, and the diligence required to develop solar projects is a necessity, as you will be responsible for advising and guiding your team through complex zoning cases and interconnection processes. Prior project development experience is required.

Management Responsibilities

• Manage direct reports and dotted-line SMEs to ensure progress toward and achievement of the completion of development / NTP.
• Develop and manage project budgets.
• Manage consultants within approved project budgets, scope, and schedule.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and serve as a solar development expert to internal members of the development team.
• Ensure proper coordination between internal and external interconnection teams.
• Ensure proper coordination between internal and external environmental diligence teams.
• Ensure proper coordination between internal and external zoning / permitting teams.
• Oversee zoning application preparation, inclusive of local tax modeling and community relationships and outreach.
• Identify, negotiate with, onboard, and manage development consultants.
• Meet with landowners and community stakeholders prior to and during permitting to establish a positive, long-term relationship with host communities.
• Provide project budget, progress, and timeline updates to management.
• Lead, assist, and train direct reports in zoning discussions / negotiations.
• Ensure project milestones are met throughout the development process, including collection, organization, and presentation of relevant data to management to assess development risk at various stages of the development process.
• Work cross-departmentally to maintain clear communication and smooth collaboration at all stages of the project development process.
• Travel to project site locations and attend stakeholder meetings as needed.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Detail oriented and organized.
• Strong negotiation and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under various deadlines. 
• Ability to create forms, letters, presentations, and spreadsheets using MS Office.
• Ability to use all available resources to conduct research.
• Self-motivated with ability to work in a team and independently.
• Safe driving record and valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to walk over undeveloped land unassisted, travel unassisted, and sit at a computer for long periods of time.
• Ability to work evenings to attend meetings and community events.
• Up to 40% travel in support of the position responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years managing multiple solar development projects.
• Possess subject matter expertise in business functions related to the development process.

Office Location & Travel Requirements

Ideal candidates will be based out of the Atlanta, Georgia area and will be able to work from our HQ based in the Midtown area pursuant to the company's hybrid work policy. 

SolAmerica will consider remote candidates living within a manageable driving or flying distance from Atlanta within the Eastern Standard Time Zone. The position requires occasional travel to HQ and other meetings, as needed.   

Benefits

SolAmerica Energy offers a competitive salary, benefits package (inclusive of equity-based compensation) and performance bonus opportunities with this position.

 Our total rewards strategy is designed to support our employees to thrive professionally and personally while seeking to create a culture of work/life balance as we work toward our collective goals as a business.

 We offer a monthly stipend to go towards communication expenses and all our health insurance benefits are effective from Day 1.

It’s a great time to join SolAmerica Energy!

Third Party Agencies & Candidate Submissions

SolAmerica Energy will only consider candidates for this position while it is active.

SolAmerica Energy will not consider unsolicited candidate applications from third party agencies.