About Vesper Energy:
At Vesper, we know energy. We are an experienced developer of renewable energy projects that provide innovative solutions to today’s energy challenges. As a leading developer, owner, and operator of solar and storage assets across the United States, we are on a mission to advance high quality, high value renewable energy projects that contribute to a healthier, sustainable, and decarbonized future.
We have a track record of success in delivering renewable energy projects. Vesper Energy provides our customers with clean, low-cost electricity generated from solar and storage projects developed by our talented and passionate team of professionals. Our projects are successful because we invest in, respect and value the communities where we are located and the companies we work with. Working together, we can build a cleaner and brighter energy future.
Purpose:
Vesper Energy is looking for a Development Manager who will be responsible for the development of solar and solar + energy storage projects from greenfield site identification and land acquisition through project management, local and/or state permitting, and community engagement across a pipeline of projects targeting ERCOT, WECC and CAISO. Key skills required for this role include good networking/ interpersonal skills, zest for knowledge in the constantly growing renewable energy field, and ability to be a self-starter.
The Development Manager will be required to collaborate with internal teams and external consultants to lead their assigned projects to development completion, and confirm all projects are optimized for performance, cost, and reliability.
Educational Level:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, renewable energy, engineering, environmental science, or related field
Basic Qualifications:
- Demonstrated knowledge of full lifecycle of utility-scale renewable power generation development across a broad cross section of functional areas including real estate, engineering, policy, environmental, community, and finance.
- Strong Knowledge of CAISO, ERCOT and WECC.
- 3-5 years of development experience applicable to renewable energy, ideally solar PV and/or energy storage projects in the United States.
- Experience in the full project development life cycle, including market analysis, origination/green fielding, permitting, late-stage development, and project financing and equity transactions.
- Ability to coordinate with internal and external teams to develop and assess risks to project pipeline.
- Proven ability to guide and mentor less experienced team members and complete assigned tasks on schedule.
- Proven analytical skills and presentation skills.
- Strong organization and leadership skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and teams effectively.
- Ability to make articulate presentations to internal and public audiences.
- Strong computer and internet skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience with development tools such as Transect, Pivvot, Asana, or others preferred but not required.
- Highly resourceful and able to navigate through key risks to achieve project milestones.
- Independent self-starter who can meet deadlines and deliver quality products with minimal oversight.
- Entrepreneurial ability to identify opportunities and evaluate associated risks.
- Strong negotiation and consensus-building skills.
- Ability to manage a large workload while prioritizing tasks and effectively juggling competing deadlines.
- Detail-oriented with a strong sense of personal responsibility and ownership of work product.
- Excellent personal organizational and pattern recognition skills.
- Possess and maintain a current, valid Driver’s License.
Responsibilities:
- Lead development of utility-scale solar power generation facilities within: WECC, CAISO, ERCOT and other markets the company may pursue in the future.
- Lead cross-functional teams with excellent communication and project management skills to minimize project risks and maintain project objectives, schedules, and budgets.
- Extensive knowledge of the interconnection, permitting, real estate, and offtake/origination processes required to site projects optimally and advance them conception through to COD.
- Greenfield new project opportunities in an identified region through market analysis, site identification, and due diligence.
- Complete project permitting and environmental compliance throughout project development.
- Ability to communicate and align cross functionally on a regular basis to minimize project risks.
- Own the PnL for assigned projects; work with the finance team to develop financial models for each project while understanding and evaluating key inputs and assumptions.
- Negotiate tax abatements, land use agreements, mitigation settlements, and various other agreements.
- Manage project budgets, objectives, schedules, and deliverables for assigned development projects.
- Regular travel to project locations as needed to meet with landowners, evaluate sites, and advance development, up to 30%.
- Positively and professionally represent projects to external stakeholders.
- Engage community, local, and state institutions to garner project support and navigate assigned projects through the entitlement process.
- Managing contractors, vendors, and consultants to maintain project timeline and budget.
