Senior Director, Early-Stage Development

Sol Systems is seeking a Senior Director of Early-Stage Development who will be responsible for securing site control and initial development through the first interconnection feedback from an ISO for utility scale solar and battery projects. The Senior Director will lead a team which will secure site control in markets established by the strategy team and develop these projects to a point in which they are derisked enough to support entry into the interconnection queue.  A successful candidate for this role is an execution-minded person with acquisition and development experience that excels at creating processes and giving direction for junior developers to follow.

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 leading solar energy firm based in Washington, DC, dedicated to building a more sustainable future. Founded in 2008, the company deploys renewable energy infrastructure across the United States, with a specific focus on ensuring that these projects have a positive economic impact on the communities in which they operate. The company has financed or developed well over $2 billion of solar energy assets to date. We work with some of the largest corporations in the world to achieve a carbon-free and sustainable future. Sol has been founder-led throughout its 16 years of operations and is backed by KKR, one of the largest private equity firms in the world. 

Key Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities include managing a team to:

Conduct site origination campaigns:

• Identify siting areas to pursue within Sol System’s targeted markets.
• Work with contract land agents and their ongoing campaigns in multiple markets to achieve company’s site acquisition KPIs.
• Advise team on acceptable deal terms.
• Visit landowners and land sites as needed to assist staff in closing deals.
• Maintain data, reports, documents, and communication related to all site initiatives.

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

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 in 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.