Project Development Manager (Utility Scale Land Aquisition)

Located in San Antonio, TX

Salary: $130k to $150k DOE

Location: San Antonio, TX

Our client is a leading developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale renewable energy projects, specializing in utility-scale solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS). They are seeking a Project Development Manager to join a growing organization in a fast-paced environment. This position offers the opportunity to work on high-impact renewable energy projects while collaborating with a close-knit, experienced team and contributing to the continued growth of an industry leader.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of Project Development, the Project Development Manager will lead and manage all aspects of land acquisition and project development for current and future utility-scale renewable energy projects.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of land development for current and future renewable energy projects.
• Identify and evaluate sites suitable for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects through comprehensive real estate research and due diligence.
• Conduct or coordinate due diligence activities, including:
• Zoning and land use
• Floodplain analysis
• Commercial evaluations
• Interconnection assessments
• Tax abatements
• Mineral title research
• Mineral rights waivers
• Easements and rights-of-way (ROW)
• Crossing and accommodation agreements
• FAA reviews
• Environmental studies (Phase I & II ESA)
• Title insurance coordination
• ALTA and topographic surveys
• Environmental and jurisdictional permitting
• Appraisals
• Wetland delineation
• Protected species assessments
• Archaeological reviews
• Hazardous materials investigations
• Road and highway access
• Geotechnical and hydrological studies
• Evaluate commercial terms for prospective land acquisitions and coordinate negotiations with landowners, brokers, and legal counsel to execute purchase or lease agreements.
• Perform zoning and land use evaluations to confirm project viability.
• Conduct preliminary interconnection assessments to identify available transmission and distribution infrastructure.
• Coordinate with surveyors to complete ALTA, topographic, and boundary surveys.
• Perform or coordinate mineral title research and assess title risks and mitigation strategies.
• Negotiate and execute crossing agreements with infrastructure owners.
• Negotiate easements, rights-of-way, and accommodation agreements with applicable stakeholders.
• Coordinate mineral rights waivers with mineral owners.
• Work with interconnection consultants and engineers to evaluate system capacity.
• Coordinate environmental consultants to complete environmental due diligence and permitting.
• Perform floodplain reviews to assess site suitability.
• Coordinate geotechnical and hydrological investigations.
• Manage permitting activities with federal, state, county, municipal, DOT, and other regulatory agencies.
• Coordinate FAA reviews and approvals as required.
• Coordinate wetland assessments and environmental compliance activities.
• Work with local jurisdictions and tax consultants to identify, negotiate, and secure tax incentive opportunities, including attendance at public meetings when necessary.
• Coordinate with title companies regarding underwriting, title policies, and land ownership matters.
• Partner closely with Business Development, Legal, Finance, and EPC teams to align project schedules, commercial assumptions, permitting, engineering design, and contractual requirements.
• Coordinate with real estate brokers throughout land acquisition, leasing, and disposition activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Energy, Real Estate, or a related field.
• 4+ years of hands-on experience in utility-scale solar project development and land acquisition.
• Previous Landman experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting battery energy storage (BESS) projects is a plus.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven negotiation experience.
• Working knowledge of contracts and legal agreements.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Experience presenting to public agencies, landowners, and community stakeholders.
• Knowledge of:
• Public land records and ownership research
• Land use and zoning regulations
• Surveying and land engineering principles
• Easements, ROW, crossings, leasing, acquisitions, and mineral rights
• Environmental due diligence, ESA Phase I & II, and Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs)
• Property tax abatements and incentive programs
• Regulatory permitting processes
• Title underwriting and title insurance
• Knowledge of transmission, distribution, and interconnection processes is preferred.
• Familiarity with geotechnical and hydrological studies is preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Why Join?

• Opportunity to work with an established leader in utility-scale renewable energy development.
• High visibility role with significant ownership over project development activities.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture with opportunities for professional growth.
• Exposure to a robust pipeline of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects.

 

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