Senior Associate, Project Development

Clearway Energy • Denver, CO

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director, Project Development, the Senior Associate supports and directly manages development of projects across Clearway Energy Group’s West region, including California, Hawaii, and the Desert Southwest. The role is part of a regional team developing and executing construction of the company’s solar, wind, and storage pipeline. It works with Business Development, Origination, Engineering, Project Finance, and Construction throughout the project lifecycle, from origination to commissioning and commercial operation.

The position manages and supports complex, large-scale renewable energy projects from proposal and siting through permitting, design, interconnection, approvals, contracting, financing, and handover to construction. The Senior Associate also evaluates development opportunities and acquisitions, manages project budgets and schedules, coordinates land and interconnection work, supports contract negotiations and financing diligence, and helps market development-stage projects. The role requires renewable energy project development experience and familiarity with the western U.S. permitting and power markets. Travel to projects within Clearway’s West Region is required as needed and is expected to exceed 25%.

The role is hybrid. Corporate new hires are prioritized near company offices, and office-based employees work in the office Tuesday through Thursday. The position is eligible for an annual cash bonus subject to personal and company performance goals. The stated salary range across U.S. locations is $120,000–$160,000. Employment authorization sponsorship is not available for this role.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, economics, finance, environmental science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of applicable experience in the U.S. renewable energy industry.
• Direct experience and competence in full life-cycle development of utility-scale solar and/or wind projects.
• Understanding of and ability to navigate complex permitting pathways for energy projects in the western United States.
• Experience with land development, including landowner engagement and negotiation or contracting, title resolution, subdivision, agricultural land use and water restrictions, ALTA surveys, GIS, and other real estate elements.
• Ability to travel as required to projects within Clearway’s West Region; travel is expected to exceed 25%.
• Ability to manage or support multiple projects simultaneously with strong critical-thinking skills.
• Experience managing project schedules and budgets and understanding key project value levers, including commercial and financial factors.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced study in business, finance, law, environmental science, or public policy.
• Experience and knowledge of governmental mandates, environmental regulations, or customer and market signals that affect or facilitate renewable project development in Clearway’s West Region.
• Battery storage experience.
• Knowledge of CAISO and/or WECC power and transmission markets.
• Experience with EPC engagement and one or more successful project financing processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support development of complex, large-scale renewable energy projects from initial proposal and siting through permitting, design, interconnection, approval, contracting, financing, and handover to construction.
• Identify and implement creative or alternative development approaches to reduce permitting risks, optimize schedules, or create project value.
• Support or manage due diligence for development-stage projects and portfolio acquisitions, comparing and prioritizing opportunities using project metrics.
• Administer development services agreements with local and regional partners and manage networks of local stakeholders, including consultants, surveyors, and land professionals.
• Collaborate with the Land Acquisition team and manage land campaigns to secure site control for generation and interconnection facilities.
• Work with engineering teams and external consultants to evaluate site layouts, constraints, technology options, schedules, interconnection applications, and studies.
• Coordinate and provide input to interconnection requests, load-flow and congestion studies, and other transmission-related work.
• Support negotiation and diligence of project contracts and agreements, including PPAs, GIAs, Turbine Supply Agreements, and EPC contracts.
• Support financing diligence to obtain cash equity, tax equity, and/or project debt commitments before construction and at term conversion.
• Coordinate with the Origination team on marketing development-stage projects and new power purchase and offtake agreements, including responses to RFPs.
• Create and manage project budgets and schedules and navigate internal stage-gate reviews and investment decisions.
• Help prepare and present materials about project development opportunities to management.
• Maintain industry relationships and current knowledge of market drivers and industry trends to support proactive development and early positioning.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health savings accounts with company contributions
• Health flexible spending accounts
• Dependent daycare flexible spending accounts
• Commuter benefits
• Relocation assistance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Life and accident insurance
• Fertility programs
• Adoption assistance
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Benefits for employees in same-sex marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships
• Company-provided meals and events for office-based employees
• Annual cash bonus eligibility subject to personal and company performance goals

What This Job Offers

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