Solar Project Development Director

Illinois City, United States | Posted on 09/28/2026

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.
• 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.
• 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.