Associate Project Developer, Mid-Atlantic

New Leaf Energy • Chicago, IL

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

New Leaf Energy is seeking an Associate Project Developer to join its Mid-Atlantic development team. The role supports project developers by identifying leads, screening project opportunities, and advancing projects through due diligence, entitlement management, and closing. The position may be based in the Lowell, MA; Boston, MA; or Chicago, IL offices, with a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and may work from the office or home on other days.

The Associate Project Developer contributes to the company’s go-to-market strategy in assigned regions. The role includes GIS-based land prospecting and landowner outreach; documenting opportunities in Salesforce; conducting desktop due diligence; coordinating subcontracted site discovery work; managing project budgets and spend requests; supporting RFPs, cash flow analysis, and process improvement; and assisting with project closing, records, contract amendments, and sale due diligence. The position also involves monitoring renewable energy market trends and assessing potential future opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Strong writing, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage numerous tasks in parallel and prioritize competing demands.
• Self-motivated and independent, with strong communication and problem-solving abilities.

Nice To Haves

• Two to five years of experience.
• Solar sales or development experience.
• Proficiency with GIS tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Salesforce experience.
• Experience building sensitivity models in Excel or Google Sheets.

Responsibilities

• Use or manage GIS-based efforts to target land parcels with high potential hosting capacity for solar and storage.
• Identify and research leads through targeted land campaigns, including mailers, phone calls, and other outreach.
• Document opportunities in Salesforce, call landowners, and prepare due diligence packages for project developers.
• Schedule initial landowner meetings and transition qualified opportunities to project developers.
• Conduct desktop due diligence reviews of topography, soil conditions, access, and potential wetlands or environmental restrictions.
• Request quotes and release additional on-site work, including surveying, wetlands flagging, and site walks.
• Update project budgets and create project spend requests in Salesforce.
• Monitor and manage completion of site discovery items prepared by subcontractors.
• Initiate and send initial LOIs and leases.
• Follow up with Authority Having Jurisdiction administrators to support timely delivery of decision documents.
• Complete cash flow models to assess the impact of changing project costs or incentive conditions.
• Review RFPs and complete RFP questionnaires so project developers can assess bid viability.
• Support continuous improvement efforts and development of standard processes.
• Record required documents at local and county record offices during project close-out.
• Coordinate execution of contract amendments, including arranging notarization when needed.
• Prepare project data rooms to support project marketing and gather additional information for sale due diligence.
• Identify market trends and develop hypotheses about future opportunities as technology and policy evolve.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) plan with immediate vesting and a company match: 100% of the first 3% of pay and 50% of the next 2% contributed.
• Open, self-managed paid time-off policy.
• Hybrid work location policy supporting work from home for part of the week.
• Parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire.
• Professional development and education assistance.
• Incentive plan.
• Equity-like program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level