Flex Gen Project Dev Manager

RWE•Chicago, IL

18d•$138,000 - $208,000

About The Position

RWE Americas is expanding its Project Development team to meet growing U.S. energy demand from large-load customers. The team originates and develops sites for data center customers, combining data center site development with natural gas-fired generation and RWE’s solar, wind, and battery storage businesses. RWE develops, owns, and operates generation assets, while pursuing development steps for the data center site, including land, electrical interconnection, utilities, and permits. The Flex Gen Project Development Manager oversees project development from origination and supports financial investment decisions for data center sites and natural gas generation assets. The role works closely with internal functions and external stakeholders to identify and develop sites for the project portfolio. It includes leading site selection and project development, managing budgets and schedules, directing consultants, representing RWE in formal external engagements, and advising senior leadership on project viability and investment decisions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, economics, or another relevant field.
At least 5 years of work experience developing large infrastructure projects, ideally involving natural gas assets, renewables, data centers, other conventional power generation, or the broader energy industry, with a proven track record.
Expertise in landowner negotiation and creation and management of real estate agreements.
Sophisticated understanding of technical, economic, and regulatory considerations for data center and/or flexible generation projects.
Deep knowledge of technology-specific development, including interconnection, land, utility needs such as gas, water, and fiber, and permitting.
Pragmatic, solution-oriented attitude.
Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management tools such as Salesforce and ArcGIS for project portfolio management.
Willingness to travel as project needs require.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience in renewables, data centers, other conventional generation, or the broader energy industry in addition to natural gas development expertise.

Responsibilities

Lead site selection for a regional or technology-specific pipeline of data center and flexible generation projects from early-stage development through final investment decision (FID).
Create project-level and portfolio-level capital budgets and development schedules.
Manage external consultant teams conducting environmental studies, engineering work, and permitting support.
Represent RWE in formal engagements with transmission providers, state and local permitting bodies, and utility commissions.
Conduct competitive intelligence and market analysis to shape project origination priorities, and direct internal support teams toward project- and team-specific goals.
Serve as a regional or functional point of contact for resolving major permitting or interconnection challenges.
Recommend project viability assessments, strategic pivots, and investment decisions to senior leadership.
Mentor Project Associates and oversee their deliverables, timelines, and quality control.
Monitor policy and regulatory changes relevant to load and flexible generation applications with internal teams, and translate changes into project strategy.
Create and implement development strategies covering market entry, partnership opportunities, and risk mitigation.
Lead evaluation of complex trade-offs, such as site versus grid capacity and permitting delays versus redesign.
Serve as the primary internal point of contact regarding project work and as a primary development contact in external engagements with consultants and permitting agencies.