Contracts Specialist

Contracts Specialist

Oakland, California, United States

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's Contracts Specialist is responsible for managing the execution and administration of all clean energy project contracts.

This position's majority focus will be on NLE's new Power Plants division ("IPP"). For the first six months, the person in this role will exclusively focus on that division, working closely with the Vice President, Power Plants to set up systems to manage EPC, O&M, and supply and purchase agreements in support of the first tranche of clean energy projects to be owned and operated by New Leaf Energy through its new IPP. Those projects will break ground in the second half of 2026.

In the longer term, this position will have additional responsibilities to support other project-level contracts executed through NLE's development business, including equipment procurement and vendor management within our Engineering division. As conceived, this role will be focused about 80 percent on the IPP and 20 percent elsewhere within NLE. However, it is critical to the business that the person in this role maintains a continuous focus on developing systems and contract support for the entire organization, centralizing our management practices such that we can be flexible in seizing new opportunities and managing them well in the future.

This position may be filled out of our Lowell or Boston, MA or Oakland, CA offices. 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.

Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Contract execution support:

• Support the drafting, negotiation of EPC, O&M, and supply and purchase agreements, amendments, and related project contracts;
• Manage the execution of such agreements, including all required exhibits and attachments, coordinating with internal and external parties necessary to approve;
• Assist in evaluating contractor and supplier proposals, bid comparisons, and commercial terms, including driving key terms reviews with shortlisted counterparties;
• Ensure scopes of work are clearly defined and aligned with technical requirements;
• Ensure vendor compliance with insurance and other requirements delineated before releasing work.

Contract management:

• Ensure proper documentation and recordkeeping throughout the project lifecycle;
• Support the IPP in managing, monitoring, and ensuring compliance with financing documents, EPC agreements, and project contracts.
• Support the management and procurement of all deliverables necessary to meet conditions precedent under the IPP's financing facilities to facilitate loan draws.
• Support change order review, claims management, and dispute resolution;
• Assist the Senior Director of Construction (IPP) in incorporating and tracking key deal terms, including, but not limited to:
• Liquidated damages (LDs)
• Performance guarantees
• Milestone schedules and verification
• Payment structures

Risk identification and documentation:

• Identify potential contractual and commercial risks and escalate to senior team members;
• Maintain organized records of contract drafts, comments, and execution versions.

Continuous improvement:

• Support the development, use, and continuous improvement of standard templates, checklists, and contracting materials;
• Track current trends in impactful areas of risk to contracts, including supply chain and tariffs; monitor counterparty positions and seek to improve New Leaf Energy's position in terms of shared risk.

Desired qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field;
• At least three years of prior experience in renewable energy EPC contracting, project development, equipment supply, or construction contract administration;
• Understanding of EPC contract forms, structures, and terms;
• Understanding of solar module and battery energy storage system supply agreements and long-term service agreements;
• Proven stakeholder management, communication, and organization skills;
• Familiarity with structured finance requirements and lender diligence processes is a plus, as is legal training or experience working alongside legal teams.

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 Oakland is $113,750 - $130,410. The on-target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 10% percent 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.