Director, Land Origination

Are you a passionate advocate for clean energy and a skilled land acquisition professional? New Energy Equity, a leading developer of community solar projects, is seeking a dynamic Director, Land Origination to join our team. As a key leader, you will lead our land acquisition team in identifying, securing, and managing suitable land parcels for our growing portfolio of solar projects. Your expertise in land acquisition, negotiation, and project development will be instrumental in driving our mission of providing clean, affordable energy to communities across the country. Join us in making a significant impact on the renewable energy landscape.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Strategy

• Steer guidelines, strategy, and negotiating parameters for the land acquisition team.
• Manage and lead the land acquisition team to secure site control for the greenfield development of community solar energy projects.
• Ensure that annual and quarterly land acquisition goals are obtained through effective campaigns completed in a timely manner with financeable terms and within budget.
• Responsible for reviewing market research and assessing areas that the company should focus on for further development.

Land Acquisition

• Ensure effective acquisition campaigns are crafted, including GIS identification of prospective sites, landowner outreach, and on-site meetings.
• Manage third-party land companies and other contracted acquisition resources.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally to achieve implementation of acquisition campaigns, lease approvals, and project closings.
• Communicate effectively with landowners to successfully secure site control through lease and/or option contracts (in-person, phone, email).
• Maintain long-term relationships with landowners culminating in a successfully developed community solar project.
• Support other internal Land Agents to identify and overcome difficult market conditions, landowner and/or attorney negotiations leading to favorable outcomes.

Project Development

• Support permitting and development efforts, attending meetings and open houses with key stakeholders.
• Assist in obtaining all documentation necessary for a project to successfully achieve financial investment, construction, and operations, including estoppels, waivers, releases, easements, and lease amendments.
• Assist in clearing title curatives under the guidance of the internal Legal and Real Estate Team.

Reporting and Communication

• Communicate with leadership reporting on campaign response rates, negotiation status, and outstanding tasks on a recurring basis.
• Responsible for sharing market intelligence and conditions.
• Manage budgets for acquisition campaigns across all markets.
• Lead and motivate the land acquisition team.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of direct experience in land leasing/acquisition activities required.
• 8 year of renewables experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree, JD, or MBA, or Real Estate license preferred.
• RPL, or CPL through American Association of Professional Landmen preferred
• Management of direct reports preferred.
• Proven track record of successfully executed land acquisition campaigns resulting in multiple project opportunities.
• History of secured sites successfully achieving operations.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Experience reviewing real estate documents such as deed, title and abstract.
• Fluent in the MS suite of Office products (Word, PowerPoint and Excel).
• Local Notary license preferred, or the ability to obtain one.

What You Need to be Successful

• Expert-level knowledge of land, legal, and negotiation principles and an ability to utilize effectively.
• Deep understanding of and ability to draft option, lease and easement contracts with minimal support or supervision.
• Ability to utilize Sales Force software for reporting landowner contact and negotiation status.
• Ability to utilize GIS tools and software to identify qualified parcels for development.

Expectations

• We are seeking candidates who possess a strong ability, willingness, and eagerness to travel in support of the company’s community solar development efforts.
• 25%-50% travel, typically in regional markets, visiting landowners’ and/or internal customers’ sites in additional to attending various conferences and meetings at company offices quarterly in MD, NY and/or MN.
• This is a hybrid role that can be based out of our Annapolis, MD, Roseville, MN, Boulder, CO, or Horseheads, NY offices.

Employer will not sponsor Visas for this position.

About Us:

At New Energy Equity, a proud subsidiary of ALLETE, we’re leading the charge in transforming the energy landscape with innovative solar solutions 🌞. As a top player in the renewable energy sector, we’ve successfully developed over 600MW of solar projects and closed more than $1.2 billion in clean energy investments 💼. Our projects deliver sustainable electricity to a wide range of clients, including commercial, industrial, municipal, and utility customers 🌍. But there’s more to us than just impressive numbers. We pride ourselves on a dynamic and engaging work environment where teamwork, continuous learning, and environmental stewardship are at the core of what we do 🌿. Our inclusive and collaborative culture encourages creativity and innovation, making our office a place where every idea is valued, and growth is a priority 💡. At New Energy Equity, you’ll join a passionate team that not only drives the clean energy future but also enjoys celebrating our successes together 🎉. With over 250 projects across the U.S. 🌎, our supportive atmosphere ensures a balanced work-life dynamic ⚖️ and a fun, fulfilling career path 🌟. Join us and be part of a forward-thinking company where your contributions are celebrated, and your professional development is supported as we work towards a brighter, sustainable future 🌍.

The expected annual compensation range for this position is $100,000-$150,000, encompassing base pay, potential incentive target opportunity, and additional commission eligibility. This range is a good faith estimate based on the position's requirements. Specific compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary depending on factors such as relevant knowledge, skills, training, experience, and market conditions. Additionally, this position may qualify for a comprehensive benefits package, including Retirement Benefits, Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences, and more.

The statements above outline the essential functions, nature, and level of work expected as of the document’s preparation date. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties and responsibilities. New Energy Equity reserves the right to modify this job description at any time, without notice.

New Energy Equity is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR department at amekonnen@newenergyequity.com

Salary : $100,000 - $150,000