Development Project Manager

JOB TITLE: Development Project Manager

LOCATION: Carpinteria, CA

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Regular Employee- Exempt

REPORTS TO: Project Leader

The Clipper Windpower team has pioneered the wind industry in both project development and engineering.  Now Clipper is driving technology breakthroughs and establishing turbine manufacturing and operations that will further support our development portfolio and lead the industry to the next level.  Despite our seasoned experience, we recognize future success will depend on the quality of the personnel that join our team.  We are looking for innovative people with the energy and talent to help Clipper reach its full potential.

 

We are currently in search of Development Project Managers to join our dynamic development team.  The Development Project Manager will direct development activities and financial goals of some of the most ambitious and challenging wind power projects in the world.  Successful candidates will demonstrate leadership skills, project management capability, experience in development activities, knowledge of economics or commercial finance and a strong interest in renewable energy suitable for a management-level position in wind power development.

 

Responsibilities:

 

Manage the development of wind energy projects from inception of a project through construction and commercial close with the objective of establishing and maintaining optimum project value for the company, including:

 

   Project Development  85% 

   Manage the development of defined project assets through a complete development cycle, from prospecting hand-off to financial close based on approved schedule and budget.  Must be able to manage the development activities of multiple projects simultaneously.Determine project goals, schedule and budget based on input from across the company covering development requirements, company objectives, market dynamics, turbine supply, construction timing and resource requirements. Perform project risk assessment as part of project planning function; develop project risk profile to mirror planned cash flows; manage risk along with budget and schedule.Lead functional teams and steering committees to execute project objectives within approved schedule and budget.Work to meet milestones for project funding to allow the timely allocation of turbines and other long-lead commitments to project.Direct Development team to produce a finished project asset suitable for commercial financing and construction.  Activities will include land acquisition, community relations, securing permits, environmental studies, wind resource assessment, project design and engineering, contracting for transmission and interconnection rights, economic models and valuation, off take arrangements and market assessment.Coordinate with external departments, including Construction, Engineering, Services, Procurement, Manufacturing, Transportation, Planning, Accounting, Finance and Commercial Operations.Lead project presentations to management and others; lead requests for project/budget approvals; support transaction approval requests (TRs/DRs) in coordination with Transactions group. Support preparation of bid packages for response to requests for proposals.Manage process of gathering inputs and defining specifications for project financial models used to establish power value/pricing as well as turnkey project pricing.  “Own” input parameters and associated assumptions to project economic assessment.Work with Regional Development Leaders, Sales and Finance staff on commercial transactions from PPA’s, joint ventures, project sales, equity investments and other financing options.  Participate on project transaction deal teams.Manage due diligence process with project customers to facilitate closing on project assets; work with Development team, outside consultants and legal support to organize and deliver complete project assets.Transition project into construction phase with coordination of schedules, budgets, management approval and completion of development assets.  Work with construction project manager to plan all construction activities in advance (inclusive of long-lead equipment procurement and contractor commitments) and monitor construction progress through commercial operation date.

 

 

Company Interface  15% 

 

· Work with corporate planning function to maintain updated project schedules, budgets, commercial sales status and other planning information. 

· Prepare and periodically present project reports to Development/corporate management.

· Support company and department activities for budget and planning.Maintain general knowledge of the wind energy industry – including national, state, and local conditions that impact wind energy development.  Participate in training programs and work with Clipper’s technology group to understand the fundamental turbine design, the status of R&D efforts and schedule for release of new technology development.

· Interface with OMS group to understand service and maintenance procedures.

· Understand the essential elements of commercial finance, project economics and contract terms.

 

 

Training Period: Immediately following employment start date, the Development Project Manager will coordinate with Development Leader to arrange a training period to be conducted at Clipper’s main office in Carpinteria.  The training period will nominally be scheduled for two weeks to one month to work directly with Development staff on project related activities and other departments on technical information.

 

 

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

§ Computer expertise in MS Office, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel; familiarity with Microsoft Project, XMAP and Access a plus; web-savvy.

§ Experience in wind project management strongly desired; minimum requirements: 3 years in related project development, construction management or project engineering with management responsibility for projects over $10M.

§ Experience with project economics and commercial contracts strongly desired; MBA or other business degree considered a plus.

§ Functional experience with wind assessment, land acquisition, permits, environmental studies, project engineering and design, equipment procurement or resource planning for large scale construction.

§ Skilled in managing simultaneous complex activities, consultants and contractors, clear concise status reporting, tracking of deadlines and critical path activities, ability to identify and mitigate upcoming conflicts and/or delays.

§ Able to work with clients, consultants, local governmental agencies, land owners and other experts; must be a positive, supportive member of Clipper team.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· Moderate Business Office Noise (Example: cubicle environment, business office with typewriters/printers, light traffic)

· Travel:  Extensive at times as determined by project requirements.  Will involve visits to project communities, customer or partner offices and other Clipper offices.Able to lift up to 50 lbs.