Position:
Chief Development Officer Location: United States, flexible Company: Confidential, Distributed Generation Platform
Overview:
A high-growth distributed generation platform is seeking a Chief Development Officer to lead and scale its national project development function. The company focuses on commercial and industrial solar, community solar, and distributed energy solutions across multiple U.S. markets. This executive will be responsible for driving origination, development execution, and pipeline strategy to support long-term growth and capital deployment objectives.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead all project development activities from origination through NTP across a multi-state portfolio
- Define and execute the company’s development strategy, including market selection, product mix, and pipeline prioritization
- Build and manage a high-performing development team spanning origination, interconnection, permitting, and project management
- Oversee site acquisition efforts, including land origination, lease negotiation, and partnership development
- Drive utility and regulatory engagement, including interconnection strategy and policy positioning in key markets
- Partner closely with capital markets, finance, and executive leadership to align development with investment strategy and funding timelines
- Establish and refine internal processes to improve development timelines, cost efficiency, and execution certainty
- Manage external stakeholders including landowners, utilities, municipalities, and strategic partners
- Support M&A and partnership opportunities related to pipeline acquisition or joint development
- Provide regular reporting to executive leadership on pipeline status, risks, and growth outlook
Qualifications:- 12+ years of experience in renewable energy development, with a focus on distributed generation or C&I solar
- Proven track record of bringing distributed energy projects from origination through NTP
- Deep understanding of interconnection processes, permitting, and regulatory frameworks across multiple U.S. markets
- Experience managing and scaling development teams in a high-growth environment
- Strong commercial acumen, including experience negotiating land agreements, offtake structures, and development partnerships
- Familiarity with project finance fundamentals and ability to align development with capital deployment strategies
- Established network within the distributed energy ecosystem, including utilities, developers, and industry stakeholders
- Executive presence with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders
Preferred Background:- Experience in community solar and C&I project structures
- Exposure to storage or hybrid project development
- Experience working with private equity or infrastructure investors Compensation Competitive base salary, annual bonus, and long-term equity participation aligned with company performance and growth milestones.
