Senior Project Developer (Permitting Focused)- New Projects West

Scout Clean Energy is seeking an experienced and proactive Senior Project Developer with a strong permitting background to lead the development of utility-scale wind and solar projects, with a particular focus on Arizona and Nevada. You will manage projects through early- to mid-stage development with a strong emphasis on agency coordination, permitting strategy, and regulatory compliance across both BLM and state jurisdictions. 

The ideal candidate will have deep experience engaging with permitting authorities, preparing regulatory filings, managing complex permitting timelines, and collaborating closely with federal, state, and local agencies. You’ll be expected to develop strategic permitting pathways that align with Scout’s project milestones and timelines while navigating the complex regulatory environments in the WECC and possibly CAISO. 

You will be the face of your projects, both externally and internally. Externally, you will build relationships with agency staff, landowners, community members, and local government officials to gain project support:  

• Serve as project lead for discussions with landowners, negotiate site control agreements and secure planning / use permit approvals.  

• Maintain close working relationships with permitting agencies including BLM, Arizona State Land Department, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, and tribal entities. oversee consultant management for biological, cultural, and environmental impact studies. 

• Represent Scout in meetings and negotiations with permitting authorities, public agencies, and community stakeholders. 

• Coordinate various studies and manage outside consultants to meet project budget and schedule. 

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, including federal, state and local officials, project landowners, and surrounding community members. 

• Drive complex negotiations and independently create solutions to project-specific challenges. 

• Make sound decisions under challenging circumstances using available data and your experience. 

• Internally, you will collaborate with other Scout staff to ensure the smooth delivery of your projects: 

• Facilitate the engagement of internal development, interconnection, origination, procurement, construction, legal, accounting, and finance teams. 

• Integrate the feedback of Scout team members into your project approach to achieve superior results. 

• Establish organizational goals, objectives, and operating procedures in line with the overall business plans and objectives. 

• Implement long-term company strategy and initiatives related to wind and solar project development. 

• Create control and influence over the costs, terms, and schedules of key project milestones. 

You will join the New Projects team, reporting directly to the Director of New Projects and M&A. You will work in parallel to other Senior Project Developers who have responsibility for other geographic regions, sharing knowledge and providing support as needed. An Associate Project Developer will provide support to your portfolio of projects, allowing you to advance your projects more efficiently. 

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college program. 

• 5 years of renewable energy development experience, with at least 2 years of direct permitting and agency engagement experience. 

• Knowledge of the full-cycle of utility-scale power generation development and marketing, with considerable experience leading early- to mid-stage development. 

• Experience originating projects in the WECC is required; experience working within the CAISO is a plus. 

• A working knowledge of BLM and state permitting; specifically, preparation of SF 299s and PODs, initiating the NEPA process, and state land permit applications. Tribal experience is a plus. 

• Be adept at engaging with agency staff to drive projects forward. 

• Extensive knowledge of interconnection process, permitting, real estate, state/federal regulation, utility procurement goals, politics, law and other issues that impact development of renewable energy projects in the U.S. energy markets. 

• Strong understanding of U.S. power markets and transmission system. 

• Solid understanding of economic drivers for renewable energy projects. 

• Ability to concisely frame issues by providing context, analysis, recommendations and risk/benefit tradeoffs, both in written, verbal, and presentation format, to project teams and to senior management. 

• Ability to recognize development opportunities and identify and evaluate risks related to renewable project development. 

• Prior experience with or interest in expanding to development of utility-scale solar projects. 

• Demonstrated ability to work in a flat organization, successfully leveraging the expertise of multiple colleagues in different lines of reporting. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Earth. 

• Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship 

• Willing and available to travel significantly as needed (40%-60%). 

Characteristics of Successful Scout Team Members 

• Integrity. Ethical professional who does the right thing even when it is difficult. 

• Initiative. Resourceful self-motivator with exceptional leadership and organizational skills. 

• Intelligence. Perpetual learner with the ability to solve problems and make informed decisions quickly. 

• Work Ethic. Productive team member who desires to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment to meet deadlines and get things done. 

• Team Focus. Purpose-driven colleague with strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to working across organizational boundaries to deliver on shared team goals. 

Compensation 

• Target base salary: $140,000-170,000 

• Attractive bonus potential. 

• Scout offers a full range of benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance with attractive premiums, 401(k) match, STD, LTD, an Employee Assistance Program, and a range of optional supplemental insurance coverage. 

Salary : $140,000 - $170,000