Interconnection Project Manager (DG)

New Leaf Energy, Inc. • Troy, NY

11d • $105,180 - $122,240 • Hybrid

About The Position

New Leaf Energy is an experienced clean energy developer that partners with landowners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. We identify high-value sites, work with landowners and local communities to develop them, and partner with long-term asset owners to bring the most impactful clean energy projects to life. New Leaf Energy is seeking an Interconnection Project Manager (DG) to join our team! This position may be filled out of our Lowell, MA, Boston, MA, or Chicago, IL, Oakland, CA, or Troy, NY offices. We value in-person collaboration and offer a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and are free to work from the office or from home on other days. Position Summary In this role you should have exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate interconnection-related efforts between Engineering, Project Finance, Accounting, and Operations. You will possess a technical skill set that enables accurate interpretation of utility feedback and an understanding of the implications on development, engineering, and construction efforts. You should have the ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in your markets, while also being able to maintain a strategic perspective on the holistic interconnection environment on a regional basis.

Requirements

• 4+ years of relevant experience with preference given to those with energy and direct electric utility experience;
• Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Policy, Finance, Business, Environmental Science, Project Management preferred);
• Strong project management, reporting, and technical skills, preferably in Salesforce and Smartsheet/Microsoft Project;
• Excitement about growing along with a fast-paced, dynamic company; comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to build, experiment, and iterate when the path forward is undefined;
• A passion for renewable energy, addressing the climate crisis, and accelerating the clean energy transformation.

Responsibilities

• Represent New Leaf as the primary point of contact for all utility communications;
• Leadership of all utility interactions and meetings, including conflict resolutions;
• Lead interconnection due diligence and research for new market entry (process implementation, dynamic entrepreneurial problem solving, and relationship building);
• Create and maintain utility/region-specific project management infrastructure, trackers, reports, and other project management tools to assist in the development strategy;
• Owning the full interconnection lifecycle. Interpret and organize utility requirements and feedback; synthesize and communicate risks to the cross-functional members of the development team;
• Proactively monitor utility performance to identify risks to the critical path, autonomously escalate issues, and negotiate positive outcomes;
• Serve as the interconnection process subject matter expert (utility behavior/tariff guidelines) for the development team, and act as an internal consultant to assist with strategic decision-making;
• Handle project-level disputes and successfully negotiate positive outcomes with utilities;
• Identify opportunities for improvement, and lead the implementation of countermeasures;
• Own the interconnection application submittal packages, coordinating with internal cross-functional teams and external consultants;
• Own cash flow forecasting (payment amounts, target/due dates, and required form of payment), which will require a strong understanding of financial accounting, cost-benefit analysis, and utility payment policies;
• Understand and apply continuous improvement tools, value stream mapping, and change management;
• Evaluate, onboard, and manage 3rd party consultants;
• Develop and maintain a consistent record as each project navigates the interconnection process lifecycle;
• Coordinate signatures, approvals, payments for applications, impact studies, and interconnection agreements.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental and vision;
• A 401k plan with immediate vesting and a company match (100% of the first three percent of your pay; 50% for the next two percent you contribute);
• An open and self-managed paid time-off policy;
• A hybrid work location policy that supports working from home for part of the week;
• A parental leave policy for both birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire;
• Professional development and education assistance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees