Director, Development

UGE International • New York, NY

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

UGE is a full-lifecycle renewable energy development company specializing in distributed generation and utility-scale solar PV and battery energy storage systems. The Director of Development oversees the Development Department and leads Project Developers, an Interconnection Specialist, and Project Development Managers as they advance solar and energy storage projects to Notice to Proceed (NTP). The role supervises the company’s project development function, including team resourcing and hiring, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning, and reports departmental progress, performance, and milestones directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

The Director provides development expertise and guidance, advances the development pipeline and newly acquired projects, and ensures that construction debt and tax equity closing requirements are met. The role manages development budgets and schedules, monitors project status and NTP forecasts, identifies market opportunities and risks, and coordinates with internal functions and external parties to move projects through development and financing diligence. The position also leads team planning and development, supports M&A diligence and integration, and establishes processes for collaboration across engineering, deployment, project finance, and M&A.

This is an onsite hybrid position based in either the New York City or Denver office, with four days per week in the office and one work-from-home day. Candidates outside commuting distance must be willing to relocate; relocation assistance is not provided.

Requirements

• Proven experience leading high-performing development teams with multiple direct reports and a meaningful volume of NTPs or closed financings.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Commitment to working with integrity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a range of audiences, including management, team members, engineers, internal and external stakeholders, contractors, and customers.
• Strong analytical skills, including familiarity with project financial concepts such as financial models, IRRs, budgets, and basic accounting.
• Deep experience with project development processes, including site control, utility/interconnection, curative title, permitting, and financing diligence.
• Experience working with engineering, deployment, and finance functions.
• Experience with buy-side M&A project acquisitions and leading projects through financing diligence and closings.
• Understanding of costs and timelines associated with developing distributed-generation-scale solar and storage projects.
• Project management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and solve problems in a complex, dynamic environment.
• At least 7–10 years of relevant experience in a similar role with directly transferable skills.
• Ability to work from the New York City or Denver office four days per week and work from home one day per week; candidates outside commuting distance must be willing to relocate.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Engineering degree or degree in a related field.
• Familiarity with the distributed generation development process and ability to train and lead others in identifying and solving development problems.
• Ability to inspire, coach, and motivate Developers and an Interconnection Specialist.
• Ability to balance project-specific detail with the company’s broader strategy.
• Ability to make data-driven decisions and manage complex development projects and technical challenges.
• Experience collaborating across functions, adapting to evolving business needs, managing change, and pivoting strategies.
• Experience working with and managing remote employees.

Responsibilities

• Provide project development expertise and guidance to the development team, leading efforts to resolve development issues efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Set the team’s roadmap in alignment with company strategy and lead budget and workforce planning.
• Identify project development opportunities and risks in UGE’s markets, and implement strategies to capitalize on opportunities and manage risks.
• Manage development budgets and schedules.
• Drive the development pipeline and newly acquired M&A projects to NTP, ensuring construction debt and tax equity closing requirements are met.
• Manage a semi-remote team of Project Development Managers, an Interconnection Specialist, and Project Developers.
• Collaborate with the Director of M&A on diligence and integration of acquired projects into UGE’s development pipeline.
• Monitor and report development status, including NTP forecasts, resource needs and constraints, budgets, and project risks and opportunities.
• Drive external parties to complete development and financing diligence scopes efficiently.
• Troubleshoot and resolve challenges on individual projects with the team.
• Implement processes that coordinate development with engineering, deployment, project finance, and M&A.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package with a base salary reflecting experience and role impact.
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Generous time off.

What This Job Offers

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