Director of Development

Grid United•Houston, TX

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Organization Grid United is a mission driven company aiming to solve the largest barrier to a more reliable, resilient and affordable grid by developing new long haul electric transmission lines in the United States. Established in 2021 by proven industry leaders, Grid United is developing utility-scale electric multi-state transmission projects that will provide long-term economic benefits to communities across the country, provide Americans with improved grid resiliency for our homes and businesses, and cost savings for electricity consumers. More information about the company can be found at www.gridunited.com The Position Grid United is seeking an experienced Director of Development to lead the development of large-scale electric transmission projects from early-stage evaluation through permitting, commercial advancement, and construction readiness. The Director will serve as the primary development leader for one or more projects, establishing the project strategy, driving key decisions, managing risk, and coordinating work across land, routing, environmental, regulatory, engineering, commercial, legal, finance, and communications teams. This person will be expected to independently navigate complex development challenges while creating clarity, accountability, and momentum across the project team. This position will report to the Chief Development or Executive Officer and may be based in Houston, Texas, or near an active project area, depending on business and project needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. An advanced degree is helpful but not required.
8+ years of relevant professional experience, with substantial experience in electric transmission, renewable energy, or other linear infrastructure development.
Demonstrated experience advancing complex infrastructure projects through multiple stages of development.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and coordinating work across multiple internal functions and external partners.
Working knowledge of land acquisition, routing, permitting, environmental review, engineering, regulatory, commercial, and community engagement activities.
Experience developing and managing project budgets, schedules, risk registers, consultants, and executive reporting.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with landowners, utilities, public officials, regulators, community leaders, customers, and other external stakeholders.
Experience with state and federal permitting processes. Familiarity with NEPA and public utility commission proceedings is strongly preferred.
Strong judgment and the ability to recognize, assess, communicate, and mitigate project risks.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
Ability to absorb complex information quickly and communicate the most important issues clearly and concisely.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving environment with ambiguity, changing priorities, and multiple competing deadlines.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with GIS tools, mapping platforms, project controls, and stakeholder or land-management systems is preferred.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly to project regions and stakeholder meetings.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of one or more complex transmission projects from early-stage evaluation through permitting, commercial advancement, and construction readiness.
Develop and manage integrated project strategies, budgets, schedules, risk registers, priorities, and executive reporting.
Coordinate cross-functional work across land, routing, environmental, regulatory, engineering, commercial, legal, finance, and communications teams.
Direct local, state, and federal permitting and regulatory strategies, including environmental review and public utility commission processes.
Oversee land acquisition, routing, stakeholder outreach, and community engagement activities in partnership with internal teams and external consultants.
Build trusted relationships with landowners, utilities, customers, regulators, public officials, community leaders, and other project stakeholders.
Partner with commercial and technical teams to evaluate market drivers, customer needs, interconnection requirements, project economics, and development opportunities.
Identify and mitigate project risks, resolve complex development challenges, and provide clear recommendations to senior leadership.
Select and manage consultants while coaching project managers and contributing to the continued improvement of Grid United’s development processes and capabilities.