Manager or Director, Transmission & Interconnection

Avantus • San Diego, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and organized candidate for a Manager or Director, Transmission & Interconnection position. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound industry knowledge, superior communications, and detail-oriented organizational skills. This role reports to SVP, Transmission. Avantus’ Transmission & Interconnection team is responsible for providing interconnection strategy of all utility scale solar & storage projects, performing analysis on the transmission system to identify capacity for potential projects, and leading the company through the necessary transmission & interconnection processes of utilities and ISO’s. Avantus is active in multiple ISO’s and vertically integrated markets across the country, with multiple projects at various stages of development.

Requirements

• Ten (10) years minimum of related experience in interconnection & project development or transmission planning at a utility, ISO/RTO, or project developer. 10+year experience is a plus and will be considered for senior levels.
• Deep understanding of ISO/RTO & vertically integrated utilities tariffs, interconnection processes, transmission service processes, transmission planning processes, and late-stage resource implementation processes
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously at a dynamic pace, find creative solutions, track major milestones, and prioritize several projects simultaneously
• Ability to provide verbal and written summaries of interconnection processes, results, milestones, and statuses for both a technical and non-technical audience
• Ability to read and negotiate long legal contracts (Interconnection Agreements, Power Purchase Agreements, Independent Engineer Reports, Financing Documents)
• Experience developing lasting relationships with utilities, consulting firms, ISO/RTOs, and regulators
• Required: Strong capability in Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, Word, Adobe Acrobat, & Google Earth

Nice To Haves

• Preferred: Ability to use OASIS/OATI, GE PSLF, PSSE, TARA, PowerWorld, UPLAN, ASPEN, PSCAD and/or AutoCAD
• Preferred: Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in Engineering and/or MBA

Responsibilities

• Lead projects through the interconnection process from project inception though Commercial Operation for Avantus’ projects in ISO’s (CAISO, ERCOT, SPP, MISO, PJM) and vertically integrated markets.
• Evaluate transmission & interconnection strategies, tariffs, integrated resource plans, costs, timelines, queue, wheeling rates, and processes for a variety of markets and provide strategy to the project teams
• Coordinate efforts to meet all interconnection requirements including interconnection applications, interconnection studies, interconnection agreements, and post-IA project execution milestones
• Negotiate interconnection study results and interconnection agreements with utilities toward favorable project outcomes
• Lead communication and build relationships with utilities/ISO’s and track interconnection progress to ensure projects are complete in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Identify optimal interconnection locations in target markets based on multiple cross-functional siting criteria
• Track changes to interconnection tariffs, business practice manuals, and key transmission upgrades in target markets
• Collaborate on interconnection milestones with cross-functional team including Development, Origination, Accounting, Finance, Treasury, Legal, Land Acquisition, Land Entitlement, Procurement, HV Engineering, Optimization Engineering, Construction, & Operations.
• Track milestones in interconnection agreements, security postings, coordinate meetings with utilities for project design, engineering, procurement and construction

Benefits

• Avantus offers competitive compensation with an excellent benefits package, including 401(k) matching; comprehensive medical and dental plan options; and flexible PTO.

What This Job Offers

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