Director, Development

Copia Power•Phoenix, AZ

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Copia Power is seeking a Director, Development to lead development of its renewable energy and data center project portfolio in Arizona and the desert Southwest. The role guides projects from early-stage site identification through late-stage commercialization, financing, and handoff to construction. It works at the intersection of power and digital infrastructure, developing solutions to deliver energy for large-scale AI and hyperscale data centers in constrained markets. Projects include utility-scale generation and data center loads of 100 MW to 300 MW or more per phase. The Director leads development activities across a portfolio, including site identification and evaluation, land negotiations and real estate agreements, permitting and entitlements, power and interconnection strategy, utility engagement, and energy markets, in coordination with cross-functional subject matter experts. The role manages project budgets, schedules, risks, priorities, commercial agreements, and acquisition due diligence, and drives resolution of complex development challenges. This is an individual-contributor role reporting to the Sr. Director, Digital Infrastructure. It works closely with asset management, energy markets, legal, finance, business development, and M&A teams. The role requires at least 10 years of relevant development experience and experience in Arizona or the broader Southwest. The employee must be able to work from the Phoenix, Arizona office at least three days per week and travel up to 30%.

Requirements

At least 10 years of professional experience in renewable energy and/or large-scale data center infrastructure development, including exposure to utilities, interconnection, permitting, contracting, and financing.
Experience in Arizona or the broader Southwest United States.
A track record of taking complex energy and/or technology development projects through the full life cycle, from initiation to financial close and into construction.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills.
Experience with project management software and a CRM system.
Ability to work in the Phoenix, Arizona office at least three days per week.
Ability to travel up to 30%.
Authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Problem-solving ability, integrity, strong work ethic, and a proactive, resourceful approach.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, rapidly changing organization and collaborate effectively with peers, management, and vendors.
Polite persistence.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree, preferably in finance, engineering, environmental studies, renewable energy, project/construction management, or a similar discipline.

Responsibilities

Lead subject matter experts in advancing early- and late-stage renewable energy and data center projects from site selection through commercial contracting, construction handoff, and project financing.
Manage a portfolio of projects, including budgets and finances, schedules and planning, risk assessments, and priorities based on development metrics and offtake potential.
Coordinate interdisciplinary teams across land negotiations, real estate, engineering, permitting, interconnection, and legal through construction commencement.
Facilitate discretionary permitting, including permit strategy, stakeholder engagement, and representation before local authorities and at public meetings.
Engage utilities on interconnection, transmission, and power delivery, aligning these efforts with Copia's generation strategy across solar, storage, and natural gas resources.
Support negotiation of project agreements, including site control, PPAs and Energy Supply Agreements, interconnection and load agreements, EPC contracts, and O&M agreements.
Identify, own, and drive resolution of complex development challenges, particularly those involving utilities, interconnection, permitting, and commercial interfaces.
Manage due diligence on individual or portfolio acquisitions with the business development and M&A team, assessing project risk, completing valuations, and informing transaction structuring.