Senior Director, Development

Sol Systems is seeking an experienced and well-rounded Senior Director of Development capable of executing projects in both early- and late- stages.  This developer will be responsible for: i) leading a team of three developers to progress early-stage projects through the interconnection queue, ii) conducting due diligence on M&A opportunities alongside the transaction lead and other subject matter experts, assessing site viability, community engagement, permitting, interconnection, and other development risks, and iii) taking the lead on select diligenced projects post-acquisition. The ideal candidate is an execution-focused professional with experience across all project stages, adept at establishing processes and providing clear guidance for junior developers.

This position offers a great opportunity to create a best-in-industry land origination and early-stage development team, and growth potential at a cutting-edge company with development and operations in targeted markets.

Sol Systems is a national clean energy firm focused on building domestic energy that benefits local communities. The Company is operating, building, and managing over 7 GW of projects across 38 States for Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, utilities, schools, and more than 40,000 customers across the United States. Sol Systems works with institutional clients, corporate partners, and foundations to create an energy future we can all believe in. The company was founded in 2008 and is led by its founder. 

Key Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities include managing a team to:

Develop sites through early-stage development:

• Manage and prioritize early-stage pipeline.
• Lead team to optimize site based on desktop constraints.
• Identify and secure adjacent land and pathways to the POI to optimize the array beyond the interconnection-required minimum acreage.
• Identify desktop constraints and work with Sol System’s internal community engagement, real estate, power flow and EPC teams to identify key risks.
• Champion process to de-risk projects to merit a million dollar plus interconnection deposit and hand-over to mid-stage development or provide decisive, justified direction to terminate projects where appropriate
• Develop preliminary project budgets, schedules and financial model assumption

Provide mid- and late- stage development:

• Asses risks of mid- and late- stage project acquisitions by leading a team of engineering, real estate, community engagement, and interconnection SMEs.
• Determine the development budget, financial model inputs, and schedule for potential acquisitions.
• Act as the lead developer for several acquired mid- and late-stage projects:
• Interface with stakeholders to develop community support, secure permitting, and finalize and maintain site control.
• Perform project management duties to lead a team of subject matter experts as the accountable person for a project until construction start. This includes budgeting, financial model inputs, scheduling, and team coordination.

Other Duties/Areas of Involvement:

• Use and evolve company tools: Smartsheet, Radian Generation, Anderson Optimization, etc.
• Maintain ongoing communication with VP of Development Execution and Chief Development Officer to support market development.
• Understand utility and state-specific policies and community engagement strategies in numerous markets to lead strategic land acquisition efforts.

A successful candidate will possess the following skills and attributes: 

• Five to ten years of experience in land acquisition and development. Willing to consider more experienced candidate for more senior position.
• Ability to travel as needed, up to 25% of the time.
• Proven track record of management and development of high performing teams.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to convey key ideas to landowners, stakeholders, and internal teams.
• Understanding of comprehensive solar development lifecycle.
• Experience and proficiency with leases, deeds, recording documents, LLC structures, trusts and other respective real estate documentation.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, identify risks, and alert the company of any opportunities or challenges arising during an initiative.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or other major related to the responsibilities and competencies listed above.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• Supplemental education or certifications in real estate, title, and/or solar energy.
• Experience with mapping systems such as Anderson Optimization or GIS.

Location & Hours: This is a full-time role with preference for candidates based near our Washington DC office but not a requirement. Remote candidates will also be considered for the role with office presence required on a scheduled basis.

Commitment & Compensation: Compensation will be commensurate with experience. In addition, Sol Systems provides health insurance, retirement benefits, partial gym reimbursement, education benefits, parental leave, paid vacation, sick and federal holidays, and the opportunity to work in a unique and dynamic environment.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter and salary requirements.

Deadline: We hope to hire for these positions immediately and will review applicants on a rolling basis.

Sol Systems is an equal-opportunity employer, and does not discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, orientation, creed, or other traits. Sol Systems supports and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.