Development Manager, Permitting

Apex Clean Energy was founded with a singular focus: to accelerate the shift to clean energy. Through origination, construction, and operation of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage facilities, distributed energy resources, and green fuel technologies, Apex is expanding the renewable frontier across North America. Our mission-driven team of more than 400 professionals uses a data-focused approach and an unrivaled portfolio of projects to create solutions for the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking customers. For more information about how Apex is building the energy company of the future, visit apexcleanenergy.com.

Apex strives to excel in every phase of project realization, from origination and financing to construction and asset management. Our mission-driven team seeks determined, resolute individuals who strive to innovate and go above the call of duty, and who will relentlessly do their part to help accelerate the shift to America’s clean energy future.

At the direction of the Director of Permitting and the guidance of the VP of Permitting, the Development Manager of Permitting will own and manage activities surrounding the management and oversight of both external and internal resources required to permit utility-scale wind, solar, and/or battery storage energy projects. In this role, you must possess the experience and skills required to independently lead the late-phase of land-use permitting of multi-million-dollar development projects, preferably related to renewable energy projects.

Our ideal candidate will come into this role with a genuine passion for renewable energy, education in a related field, and at least 4 years of successful renewable energy project development that includes land-use permitting experience. Our ideal candidate has a solid track record of successfully achieving at least one land-use permit, exemplary teamwork, and enjoys working on a dynamic and diverse cross-departmental team. You understand how to drive projects through key development milestones as they relate to early to late-stage permitting and can do so independently. You can strategically design successful plans while also interpreting and analyzing the technical intricacies of a project. You are fully capable of understanding state and local land-use permitting requirements, create schedules surrounding the permitting process, assist with writing applications, work with internal teams and outside counsel and/or consultants on preparing for the permitting process that will allow for the successful construction and operation of utility-scale renewable energy projects. Our ideal candidate also has experience reading and drafting ordinance language, preparing permitting schedules, relating the permitting requirements to the development timeline, guiding Developers through early to late stage permitting, identifying inconsistencies in permit requirements, and be solution oriented in driving the permitting process forward.

As a project management professional, you have experience supervising others, are extremely organized, are proficient managing external vendors, and have no problem planning for and meeting deadlines for large multi-faceted projects. Our ideal candidate is a personable self-starter who seizes the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and thrives in an environment that requires flexibility and adaptation to constant change, shifting demands, and moving timelines.

Primary Responsibilities

The Development Manager of Permitting is responsible for overseeing the lifecycle of the implementation of renewable energy projects. This includes:

• Obtain land use permits for assigned utility-scale wind, solar, and/or battery storage energy projects
• Understand state and local land-use permitting requirements
• Manage the preparation and delivery of permit applications and supporting documentation
• Interpret technical engineering and environmental reports and studies to determine the permitting impact and pertinence towards application requirements
• Provide reports to management including updates on project permitting status and changes to permitting regulations
• Compilation and analysis of data for project stakeholders and partners
• Support the negotiation of power purchase and asset agreements as it pertains to permitting
• Participate in the development and execution of a project permitting strategy in close collaboration with our Public Affairs Team
• Oversee permitting consultants
• Work cross-departmentally to maintain clear communication and smooth collaboration at all stages of the project development process as it pertains to permitting
• Travel to project site locations and attend land-use permit meetings and hearings

To succeed as a Development Manager of Permitting at Apex Clean Energy, you’ll need to display excellence within the following criteria:

• Undergraduate degree in development related field with a strong academic record
• 3+ years of utility-scale energy development that included land-use permitting experience; direct wind or solar experience required
• Solid track record in project management
• Experience with county and state permitting processes and participated in obtaining one or more site permits
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within and lead multi-disciplinary teams while earning buy-in from team members to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery of permits
• Experience managing consultants
• Strong organization skills and ability to handle time to meet frequently changing deadlines in a rapidly changing environment
• Strong work ethic and ability to productively take ownership of permitting tasks while communicating collaboratively
• Adept at problem-solving
• Articulate with the ability to lead and assist with management, client, and public presentations
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Strong passion for renewable energy
• Exemplary standards of safety, honor, ethics, quality, communication, and productivity
• Willing and able to travel 15-20%
• Willing to work from our headquarters in Charlottesville, VA or satellite office in Lake Elmo, MN. Remote work would be considered for the right candidate.

What Apex Can Offer You

• A mission-driven, energetic environment
• Collaborative and driven professional workforce committed to supporting your ideas and feedback and accelerating your potential
• Ongoing support and guidance such as on-the-job learning, hands-on experience, and mentorship
• Training, strategies, and tools to support your personal and professional growth
• Team atmosphere of diverse professionals committed to making an impact as an organization
• Opportunities to volunteer and give back to our local communities
• Exceptional benefits such as medical and dental; 401(k) with corporate match
• Base and bonus commensurate with experience
• Responsible Paid Time Off plus standard company holidays
• Benefits Offered: comprehensive high-deductible health plans, dental and vision insurance plans, short-term and long-term disability, group life insurance, 401(k) corporate matching, flexible spending arrangements, company paid parking and cell phone, fitness and wellness corporate discounts

At this time, Apex will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

Apex Clean Energy, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.