VP, Development

UGE International • New York, NY

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

UGE is a full-lifecycle renewable energy development company specializing in distributed generation and utility-scale solar PV and battery energy storage systems. The role oversees the Development Department and leads Project Developers, an Interconnection Specialist, and Project Development Managers in advancing solar and energy storage projects to Notice to Proceed (NTP). It supervises the project development function, including team resourcing and hiring, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning, and reports departmental progress, performance, and milestones directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

The position sets the development roadmap in alignment with company strategy; manages development budgets and schedules; advances the development pipeline and acquired M&A projects through NTP; and coordinates development and financing diligence, including construction debt and tax equity closing requirements. It leads and develops a semi-remote team, monitors project status and forecasts, manages risks and resource needs, and coordinates with engineering, deployment, project finance, and M&A to move projects through the development lifecycle.

This is an onsite hybrid role based in either the New York City or Denver office, with four office days and one work-from-home day each week. Candidates outside commuting distance must be willing to relocate; relocation assistance is not provided.

Requirements

• 10 or more years of relevant experience in a similar role, with directly transferable skills.
• Proven experience leading high-performing development teams with multiple direct reports and a meaningful volume of NTPs or closed financings.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Deep experience with project development, including site control, utility/interconnection, curative title, permitting, financing diligence, and coordination with engineering, deployment, and finance.
• Experience with buy-side M&A project acquisitions and leading projects through financing diligence and closings.
• Understanding of the costs and timelines associated with distributed-generation-scale solar and storage projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with management, team members, engineers, internal and external stakeholders, contractors, and customers.
• Strong analytical skills, including familiarity with project financial concepts such as financial models, IRRs, budgets, and basic accounting.
• Project management, organization, prioritization, and problem-solving skills in a complex, dynamic environment.
• Commitment to working with integrity.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions, manage change, and adapt strategies as business needs evolve.
• Experience working with and managing remote employees.
• Willingness to work from the New York City or Denver office four days per week and, if not within commuting distance, relocate.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Engineering degree or degree in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide development expertise and guidance to the team, helping resolve project development issues efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Set the team’s roadmap in alignment with company strategy and lead budget and workforce planning.
• Identify project development opportunities and risks in UGE’s markets and implement strategies to address them.
• Manage development budgets and schedules.
• Drive the development pipeline and newly acquired M&A projects to NTP, ensuring construction debt and tax equity closing requirements are met.
• Manage a semi-remote team of Project Development Managers, an Interconnection Specialist, and Project Developers.
• Collaborate with the Director of M&A on diligence and integration of acquired projects into UGE’s development pipeline.
• Monitor and report development status, including NTP forecasts, resource needs and constraints, budgets, and project risks and opportunities.
• Drive external parties to complete development and financing diligence scopes efficiently.
• Troubleshoot and resolve challenges on individual projects with the team.
• Implement processes to coordinate with engineering, deployment, project finance, and M&A and support the flow of projects through development.
• Report departmental progress, performance, and key milestones to the Chief Operating Officer.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package with a base salary reflecting experience and impact.
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Generous time off.

What This Job Offers

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