Interconnection Project Manager (DG) - Internal NLE candidates only

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 seeking an Interconnection Project Manager (DG) to join our team! We are currently only considering internal applicants.

This position may be filled out of our Lowell, MA, Boston, MA, or Chicago, IL, Oakland, CA, or Troy, NY 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 from home on other days.

Position Summary

In this role you should have exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate interconnection-related efforts between Engineering, Project Finance, Accounting, and Operations. You will possess a technical skill set that enables accurate interpretation of utility feedback and an understanding of the implications on development, engineering, and construction efforts. You should have the ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in your markets, while also being able to maintain a strategic perspective on the holistic interconnection environment on a regional basis.

Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Represent New Leaf as the primary point of contact for all utility communications;
• Leadership of all utility interactions and meetings, including conflict resolutions;
• Lead interconnection due diligence and research for new market entry (process implementation, dynamic entrepreneurial problem solving, and relationship building);
• Create and maintain utility/region-specific project management infrastructure, trackers, reports, and other project management tools to assist in the development strategy;
• Owning the full interconnection lifecycle. Interpret and organize utility requirements and feedback; synthesize and communicate risks to the cross-functional members of the development team;
• Proactively monitor utility performance to identify risks to the critical path, autonomously escalate issues, and negotiate positive outcomes;
• Serve as the interconnection process subject matter expert (utility behavior/tariff guidelines) for the development team, and act as an internal consultant to assist with strategic decision-making;
• Handle project-level disputes and successfully negotiate positive outcomes with utilities;
• Identify opportunities for improvement, and lead the implementation of countermeasures;
• Own the interconnection application submittal packages, coordinating with internal cross-functional teams and external consultants;
• Own cash flow forecasting (payment amounts, target/due dates, and required form of payment), which will require a strong understanding of financial accounting, cost-benefit analysis, and utility payment policies. ;
• Understand and apply continuous improvement tools, value stream mapping, and change management;
• Evaluate, onboard, and manage 3rd party consultants;
• Develop and maintain a consistent record as each project navigates the interconnection process lifecycle;
• Coordinate signatures, approvals, payments for applications, impact studies, and interconnection agreements.

Desired Qualifications

While no one individual will possess them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences, skills, and attributes. If you’re unsure 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!

• 4+ years of relevant experience with preference given to those with energy and direct electric utility experience;
• Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Policy, Finance, Business, Environmental Science, Project Management preferred);
• Strong project management, reporting, and technical skills, preferably in Salesforce and Smartsheet/Microsoft Project;
• Excitement about growing along with a fast-paced, dynamic company; comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to build, experiment, and iterate when the path forward is undefined;
• A passion for renewable energy, addressing the climate crisis, and accelerating the clean energy transformation.

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 the Chicago location is $112,970-$131,290. The on-target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 20% percent of base salary. Your actual salary may be above, in, or below this range, depending on your location and experience.

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.