Senior Development Project Manager

Novitium Energy • Full-time • Remote • 2w ago

Overview

The Senior Development Project Manager (Sr. DPM) is a high-level individual contributor and leader responsible for the comprehensive management of a high-volume portfolio of utility-scale or distributed generation solar projects.

This role requires a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of the renewable energy market, capable of handling our most technically complex and high-risk projects. Beyond project execution, the Sr. DPM serves as a strategic advisor to the business, assists in refining internal processes, and mentors junior project management staff to elevate the performance of the entire Development team.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Project Leadership & Execution

Manage a high-capacity portfolio of complex solar projects, overseeing the lifecycle from post-sale handoff to Notice to Proceed (NTP).
Expert Decision Making: Evaluate project impacts on the broader business health; make critical decisions regarding project viability, risk mitigation, and resource allocation.
Drive the complex permitting process in high-barrier jurisdictions, leveraging deep regulatory experience to navigate unconventional challenges.
Process Improvement: Identify bottlenecks in the development lifecycle and lead initiatives to improve internal workflows, software utilization, and cross-departmental handoffs.

Mentorship & Team Development

Peer Mentoring: Serve as a formal or informal mentor to Development Project Managers, providing guidance on complex due diligence, contract negotiations, and problem-solving.
Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for the department, assisting others in troubleshooting project hurdles.

Financial Mastery & High-Stakes Procurement

Manage multi-million dollar development budgets with a high degree of accuracy and accountability.
Negotiate Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and high-value contracts with vendors, suppliers, and consultants to optimize project margins.
Provide high-level financial reporting that connects project performance to company-wide EBITDA goals.

Engineering & Due Diligence Oversight

Direct internal and external engineering teams on the most technically demanding sites (e.g., challenged terrain, interconnect complexities).
Review and vet critical due diligence reports to ensure long-term asset performance and safety.

Stakeholder Management & Reporting

Manage relationships with key high-value clients and strategic partners.
Represent the company in front of regulatory bodies, utility executives, and community leaders during high-stakes public hearings or negotiations.
Synthesize complex project data into executive-level briefings for senior management.

Qualifications & Skills
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Tenure: 5+ years of experience in project development, specifically focused on the renewable energy development lifecycle.
Complexity: Proven track record of successfully bringing high-capacity utility-scale or multi-site portfolios to NTP.
Business Acumen: Demonstrated ability to understand the "big picture" of the energy business, including project finance, PPA structures, and market trends.
Leadership: Experience in process improvement and a natural aptitude for mentoring and developing junior talent.
Technical Expertise: Advanced proficiency in project scheduling software (MS Project, SmartSheet, Salesforce) and a deep understanding of EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contracts.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field (PMP certification or MBA preferred) is preferred.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $145,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

Commercial Focus: Do you have 5+ years of experience specifically in Commercial/Industrial (C&I) or Utility-scale solar development? (Note: Residential-only experience does not qualify).
Project Lifecycle: Have you successfully led at least 3 commercial solar projects from the initial development/contracting phase all the way to Notice to Proceed (NTP)?
Portfolio Volume: Have you managed a commercial project portfolio with an aggregate capacity of 10MW or greater?
Contractual Knowledge: Do you have direct experience negotiating Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Interconnection Agreements, or high-value EPC contracts?
Commercial solar development often involves 'unforeseen' budget killers like high utility upgrade costs, subsurface soil issues, or local permitting delays. Describe a specific commercial project where you hit a major financial pitfall during development. How did you quantify the impact on the project's IRR/margin, and what specific mitigation strategies (e.g., equipment value engineering, PPA renegotiation, or vendor credit) did you use to bring the project back to a 'Buy' decision?

Work Location: Remote