Interconnection Project Manager (DG) - Internal NLE candidates only

New Leaf Energy • Troy, NY

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

New Leaf Energy is seeking an Interconnection Project Manager (DG) to join their team. This position is open to internal applicants only and can be based out of their Lowell, MA, Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Oakland, CA, or Troy, NY offices. The role requires exceptional organizational and project management skills to coordinate interconnection efforts between various departments including Engineering, Project Finance, Accounting, and Operations. A technical skill set is necessary to interpret utility feedback and understand its impact on development, engineering, and construction. The ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders and maintain a strategic perspective on the regional interconnection environment is also crucial.

Requirements

• 4+ years of relevant 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
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Direct electric utility experience

Responsibilities

• Represent New Leaf as the primary point of contact for all utility communications.
• Lead all utility interactions and meetings, including conflict resolutions.
• Lead interconnection due diligence and research for new market entry, including process implementation, 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.
• Own the full interconnection lifecycle.
• Interpret and organize utility requirements and feedback, and 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, and payments for applications, impact studies, and interconnection agreements.

Benefits

• Market-competitive base salary
• Above-market variable compensation
• Equity-like program
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 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)
• Open and self-managed paid time-off policy
• 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: Mid Level