Project Development Manager

Lightshift Energy • Arlington, VA

1d • $115,000 - $155,000

About The Position

The Project Development Manager will be an integral member of Lightshift’s team, providing strategic support to the Project Development team, with a focus on utility-scale energy storage project development. The role facilitates Lightshift’s boots-on-the-ground project development efforts with support from the rest of the team. Candidates are preferred to report to Lightshift’s Arlington, Virginia headquarters, although remote employment may be considered for well-qualified candidates whose work overlaps with Lightshift’s development efforts.

Requirements

• Experience identifying viable project sites and leading land acquisition efforts for project development.
• Experience with pre-NTP project development workstreams culminating in project approvals from state and local authorities.
• At least 2 years of direct project development experience in the energy sector.
• Direct experience identifying energy storage market opportunities, determining use cases with prospective customers, and developing project sites.
• Excellent project management skills, including effective planning, organizing, and prioritizing tasks.
• Strong leadership and communication skills to manage project workstreams and stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25–50% of the time.
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, environmental science, energy management, renewable energy, electrical engineering, or a related field is desired.

Nice To Haves

• Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
• More than 2 years of project development experience, preferably with demonstrated results in obtaining project permitting approvals.
• Excellent research and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of development risks and risk management best practices.
• Working knowledge of U.S. energy markets.
• A collaborative attitude and desire to assist with company growth plans as needed.
• Desire to effectuate swift change in the clean energy transition.
• Prior mentorship experience developing junior development team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead land acquisition efforts and siting campaigns, and identify viable project sites to grow the project pipeline.
• Lead projects through the development lifecycle, from inception to Notice to Proceed.
• Create project management plans for Lightshift team use.
• Manage federal, state, and local permitting challenges as they arise.
• Ensure interconnection rights are secured and advanced for projects.
• Work with team engineers and analysts on project scope and site design.
• Research and conduct due diligence on federal, state, and local officials, regulators, utilities, RTOs, and other stakeholders throughout project development.
• Provide key support for battery supply and EPC partners from project design through contract negotiation and execution.

Benefits

• Generous annual cash bonuses.
• Full benefits package, including 401(k), health, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and short-term disability.

What This Job Offers

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