Head of Development (Remote)

About Longroad Energy
Longroad Energy is a Boston, MA headquartered renewable energy developer focused on the development, ownership, and operation/asset management of wind and solar energy projects throughout North America. Founded in 2016, Longroad owns 4.5 GW of wind and solar projects across the United States in addition to operating and managing a total of 6.2 GW of wind and solar projects on behalf of Longroad and third parties. Our vision is to create lasting value for our shareholders, communities, and employees by responsibly developing, owning, and operating renewable energy projects. We have assembled a world-class team with a passion for renewable energy innovation and a commitment to developing renewable projects throughout the US.

The Development Manager will lead land use permitting efforts for Longroad Energy’s utility-scale renewable energy portfolio in California, with a primary focus on CEQA and NEPA processes in close coordination with Longroad’s Development and Natural Resources team. This role is responsible for developing and executing permitting strategies, managing agency and stakeholder relationships, and driving projects from early-stage development through pre-construction.

The Development Manager will operate as a key project leader, coordinating cross-functional teams across real estate, interconnection, engineering, finance, and construction to ensure permitting strategies are integrated into overall project execution, timelines, and investment decisions. This role will be remote and based in California. Candidates in the Bay Area have opportunity to go into the office as needed.

Lead land use permitting strategy and execution for California-based utility-scale renewable energy projects, including CEQA, NEPA, and CEC opt-in pathways as applicable.
Develop and manage project-specific permitting strategies, including timelines, budgets, and risk assessments aligned with overall development milestones.
Serve as the primary point of contact for permitting agencies and lead coordination of CEQA processes, ensuring consistency across all project documentation and communications.
Partner with internal and external counsel to evaluate permitting pathways, develop defensible strategies, and mitigate regulatory risk.
Monitor permitting progress against milestones and proactively identify and resolve risks, acting as the central driver of permitting execution.
Stakeholder & Community Engagement
Build and maintain relationships with landowners, permitting agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders to support project advancement.
Lead stakeholder engagement efforts to proactively address concerns, build project support, and reduce permitting and reputational risks.
Represent the company at public meetings, hearings, and community forums.
Cross-Functional Project Leadership
Coordinate cross-functional inputs from engineering, finance, legal, and natural resources teams to ensure permitting requirements are integrated into project design, financial modeling, and execution plans.
Ensure alignment between permitting strategy and broader development activities, including interconnection, real estate, and construction planning.
Manage external consultants (environmental, permitting, and technical), including scope development, selection, contract management, and performance oversight.
Oversee permitting-related budgets and ensure effective allocation of resources throughout the development lifecycle.
Project Reporting & Investment Support
Prepare and present project updates, key risks, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and the Investment Committee.
Support investment decisions by clearly articulating permitting risks, timelines, and dependencies.
Maintain clear documentation and reporting on permitting progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.

3+ years working at a developer managing California development projects in a planning, environmental, legal, financial, or real estate capacity.

• Strong understanding of California land use permitting frameworks and regulatory processes.
• Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Experience negotiating agreements and managing relationships with landowners, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical and public-facing materials.
• Ability to walk unassisted over undeveloped land, travel unassisted, and sit at a computer for long periods of time.
• Ability to travel throughout California to meet with agency staff and attend community events across various jurisdictions.
• established relationships with California regulatory agencies, consultants, or local jurisdictions are a plus.

Experience managing solar or wind project land use permitting from early stage through financial close and construction.
Financial analysis and budgeting skills, formal project management training, or policy analysis experience.
Experience with interconnection, real estate, greenfielding projects are a plus.

Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving development environment with shifting priorities.
Strong ownership mindset with a focus on driving results and delivering projects forward.
Strategic thinker with the ability to balance risk, timelines, and project economics.
In addition to base salary, this role includes a bonus. The position offers health, vision/dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, accrued paid time off, life insurance and disability coverage.
The Company does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Benefits at Longroad include the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401 (k) plan and matching, and comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. Our robust time-off policy includes accrual of 18 vacation days in your first year, paid holidays, and paid volunteer time. We offer paid parental leave to help support employees as they transition into parenthood. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Diversity, equity, and inclusion matter - at Longroad, in our industry, in our communities, and in society at large. We embrace our responsibility to build and promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive working experience and drive change where we live and operate. We work to actively promote and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion. We collaborate with our community, colleagues, and industry in the ongoing pursuit of evolving and growing an inclusive and diverse environment. We aim to be the most trusted renewable energy company on the long road to a green future. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, citizenship, or any other legally protected status. Longroad Energy prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and will reasonably accommodate applicants with a disability, upon request, and will also ensure reasonable accommodations are made for disabled employees. Longroad Energy is firmly committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities in all employment practices and personnel actions, including advertising, recruitment, testing, screening, hiring, selection for training, upgrading, transfer, demotion, layoff, discipline, termination, rates of pay, and other forms of compensation.