New Leaf Energy is seeking a Director of Utility-Scale Policy and Business Development to join our growing team! This position may be based out of our Chicago, IL office or remotely within the market (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Arkansas). For office based candidates, we offer a hybrid work environment allowing you to work remotely 2-3 days a week and from the office 2-3 days a week. Candidates should have a willingness to travel up to 20%.

New Leaf Energy is an experienced clean energy developer that partners with landowners, policy makers, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. We identify high-value sites, work with landowners and local communities to develop them, and partner with long-term asset owners to bring the most impactful clean energy projects to life.

The Director of Utility-Scale Policy and Business Development will join a growing team of developers, engineers, and business development professionals focused on accelerating New Leaf’s growth as a leading developer of utility-scale solar and storage, motivated by our mission to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy. This is a new position that will cover state-level and Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) policy and business development in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) & Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) footprints.

The role of the Director of Utility-Scale Policy and Business Development combines hands-on business development responsibilities with market expertise and policy advocacy. This is a leadership role where this person will work collaboratively with our project development and technical teams to increase the value of our existing pipeline and generate new business opportunities related to utility-scale solar and energy storage in a wide range of states and utility territories in the central U.S. We are looking for an entrepreneurial leader who has experience in renewable energy development and in advocating for policy changes at the RTO and/or Public Utility Commission (PUC) level. This candidate will be an active member of a multi-disciplinary development team, providing colleagues with both direct, project-level support as well as high-level strategic business guidance.

Position Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Prepare market analysis and business plans, and work collaboratively across the organization to implement development strategies that add meaningfully to New Leaf’s market-leading solar and storage businesses.
• Directly support project developers their development footprints (SPP & MISO), including but not limited to contributing to transmission-level site prospecting strategies, project interconnection efforts, RFP responses, and developing relationships with potential commercial off takers and contractual counterparties.
• Monitor a broad range of stakeholder meeting agendas, regulatory filings and business intelligence sources to identify new and evolving business opportunities and potential revenue streams. Identify and prioritize important utility commission and RTO initiatives that have the potential to directly impact New Leaf's development efforts and guide New Leaf developers, finance and technical experts accordingly.
• Advance company policy and business interests through stakeholder processes and federal regulatory proceedings. Includes submitting written filings, stakeholder meeting attendance, and other formal and informal communications.
• Drive engagement and collaboration with external stakeholders including those with leadership positions internally and externally. Form and lead coalitions of peer companies on issue-focused topics. Manage external counsel and consultants.

While no one individual will possess them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences, skills, and attributes. If you’re unsure whether you meet enough of the qualifications below but believe that your experience and skill set is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply!

• Significant (4-8 years) experience in business development and/or policy, focused on the electricity industry.
• Advanced understanding of development challenges and strategies for de-risking utility-scale projects. Includes familiarity with the function of the transmission system and project interconnection processes as well as renewable project finance, discounted cash flow models, financial valuations of energy projects and related.
• Experience navigating and advocating for state and/or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) jurisdictional wholesale electricity market tariffs, structures, and processes.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate complex issues in preparing briefs and other documents.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Independent, self-driven, and innovative individual with clear focus on results and clear abilities to adapt to changing environments and navigate complex issues. Self-motivated and able to function effectively with minimal supervision. Able to multi-task and effectively manage multiple assignments occasionally under time constraints.
• Passion for accelerating the adoption of renewable energy.
• Flexible and adaptable in support of a growing organization.
• College degree in related field, advanced degree preferred.

Compensation, Benefits, and Culture

New Leaf Energy’s success is driven by our collaborative, long-term relationships based on trust and transparency. We offer a flexible work environment that places significant responsibility in independent teams and creates opportunities for innovation and personal growth. New Leaf Energy’s benefits are designed to appropriately recognize our employees’ contributions and enable a reasonable work/life balance. Our benefits include:

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental and vision;
• A 401k plan with immediate vesting and a company match (100% of the first three percent of your pay; 50% for the next two percent you contribute);
• An open and self-managed paid time-off policy;
• A hybrid work location policy that supports working from home for part of the week;
• A parental leave policy for both birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire;
• Professional development and education assistance.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

New Leaf Energy values the diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and contributions of all employees. We want all our employees to feel like they belong and are empowered to be their most authentic selves at work. We’re actively committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive environment not only within our own organization but also within the clean energy industry.

We seek a diverse candidate pool in this–and every–search. New Leaf Energy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, New Leaf Energy complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO M/F/D/V.

A Note to Third-Party Recruiters

New Leaf Energy’s People + Culture team coordinates all recruiting and hiring at our company. New Leaf Energy does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies. Resumes are only accepted from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies if a signed agreement is in place AND if external recruiting assistance is authorized by the People + Culture team for a specific position. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of New Leaf Energy. New Leaf Energy is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.