Interconnection Project Manager (U-S)

New Leaf Energy is seeking an Interconnection Project Manager (Utility-Scale) to join our team! 

This position may be filled out of our Lowell, MA, Boston, MA, or Chicago, IL offices. We value in-person collaboration and offer a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and are free to work from the office or from home on other days.

Position Summary 

In this role you will play an integral role in the performance of our utility-scale interconnection portfolio. These may include, and are not limited to, the management of projects in CAISO, NYISO, ISO-NE, PJM, TVA, MISO, and SPP. The ideal candidate will have very strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate interconnection-related efforts between Engineering, Project Finance, Accounting, and Operations. You will possess a technical skill set that enables accurate interpretation of utility feedback and an understanding of the implications on development, engineering and construction efforts. You should have the ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in these markets, while also being able to maintain a strategic perspective on the holistic interconnection environment on a regional basis.

Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

• Lead critical path planning and tactical management for application window submissions (for portfolio of projects); 
• Develop a strong understanding of New Leaf Energy’s utility-scale value stream map (development process) and development strategy; 
• Lead new market entry interconnection due diligence and research, including process implementation and entrepreneurial problem-solving skills;
• Create and maintain ISO/region-specific project management infrastructure;
• Read/understand project documents (line diagrams, layouts, datasheets, site control docs, etc.);
• Track and report on key performance metrics in each ISO/region;
• Serve as the ISO interconnection process subject matter (utility behavior/ISO Tariff guidelines) expert for PD's, serve as a consultant to assist with strategic planning;
• Manage ISO/Transmission interconnection process to FERC regulations and ISO-specific processes (portfolios of projects submitted into study windows/clusters through MIPA sale); 
• Daily portfolio management of all active interconnection applications across multiple ISOs and services territories;
• Actively monitor ISO performance to identify risks to any project’s critical path, and escalate issues autonomously;
• Coordinate interconnection activities: Direct ISO RFIs to appropriate internal parties, and manage internal response to performance and lead time targets;
• Understand both internal and external project milestones and their implications to the overall project schedule;
• Assist in onboarding and managing third party consultants; 
• Create and maintain long-term relationships with ISO contacts;
• Handle project level disputes and successfully negotiate positive outcomes with utilities;
• Interact with New Leaf Energy’s policy team to provide support and insight into specific interconnection processes; 
• Engage in ISO-level policy discussions; 
• Participate in ISO- and FERC-level policy working groups when required; 
• Follow ISO-level interconnection issues and report back to team leads;  
• Provide guidance for market participation strategy.

Desired Qualifications 

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!

• 4+ years of relevant experience, with preference given to those with energy and direct electric utility experience;
• Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Policy, Finance, Business, Environmental Science, or Project Management preferred);
• Strong project management, reporting and technical skills, preferably in Salesforce and Smartsheet/Microsoft Project. PMP certification preferred;
• Excitement about growing along with a fast-paced, dynamic company; comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to build, experiment, and iterate when the path forward is undefined.

Compensation

New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market-competitive base salary, plus above-market variable compensation, plus an equity-like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership.  We use a data-driven and transparent methodology to calibrate compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable, guided by the New Leaf Energy compensation manual, which is available to all employees.

Under our compensation framework, the likely base salary range for this position in the Boston location is $113,704 to $132,142. The on-target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 20% percent of base salary. Your actual salary may be above, in, or below this range, depending on your location and experience.

We value transparency and can share more during the interview process.