Project Development Associate

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Salary Range: $95,000 - $115,000 plus bonus and incentive stock options

Reports to: Director of Origination

Location: Brooklyn, NY (Hybrid)

About The Company:

NineDot's name derives from the classic mathematical puzzle for sparking out-of-the-box solutions. As a leading community-scale, clean energy developer with a growing portfolio of projects across a range of technologies, NineDot Energy is creating innovative energy solutions that support a more resilient electric grid, deliver economic savings, address environmental justice and reduce carbon emissions. We plan to develop, build and operate more than 400 MW of clean energy systems by the end of 2026 that will strengthen the local power grid infrastructure and provide clean, reliable and resilient power to tens of thousands of New York households and businesses. NineDot is also expanding beyond stationary storage to incorporate mobile batteries and electric vehicle charging into some of our current and future sites. This is all in support of New York State’s mission to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040.

With the backing of Manulife Investment Management and The Carlyle Group - two of the world’s leading infrastructure investors - NineDot is continuing to expand its core battery energy storage pipeline, deliver enhanced products and services, all to advance the decarbonization of New York’s grid. This is an exciting opportunity to build a platform from the ground-up with a world-class team of developers and innovators. NineDot is committed to building a company that exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion values in its team culture, business practices and community engagement.

Job Summary

The Project Development Associate (PDA) works directly with NineDot Energy’s (NDE) Director of Origination and its origination team, as well as all levels of management throughout the organization, to screen development opportunities for distribution connected battery energy storage projects in the NY metro area and advance qualifying projects through the development pipeline. The position will have opportunities to have ownership and accountability over projects with the potential for career growth. This is a great role for individuals looking for renewable energy project development experience at one of the fastest growing platforms in NYC.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage third party resources to assist in the planning and development of standalone and hybrid battery energy storage projects, including legal, engineering, and permitting.
• Work with the Origination team to target, screen, and make recommendations to the Director of Origination on new opportunities for the project development portfolio. 
• Provide support and guidance to Origination and Legal teams on commercial terms for negotiating, drafting, and executing Letters of Intent, leases, and purchase agreements for projects.
• Manage real estate agreements to ensure compliance with the obligations of active development sites.
• Coordinate with the NDE technical team to prepare site designs and interconnection applications with the utility.
• Manage third party resources to run real estate due diligence efforts in coordination with the Manager, Engingineer and Planning (MEP).
• Coordinate with the MEP and the Engineering team to secure interconnection rights and optimally design projects.
• Coordinate and manage third party resources to engage with local authorities having jurisdiction to obtain necessary project approvals and permits.
• Track and manage real estate and interconnection obligations to maintain compliance under leases and/or PSAs and CESIRs.
• Track and report on portfolio status and progress to the Director of Project Development and leadership team.
• Coordinate with the Operations team to ensure seamless handoff from development to construction.
• Provide support to the Product Development team in exploring new product types and opportunities.
• Track and report on battery energy storage development activity in the NY Metro area.
• Operate independently, and report and escalate to management as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:

• Problem Solving - Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions.
• Interpersonal Savvy - Relates well to all colleagues inside and outside the organization.
• Intellectual Horsepower - Deals with concepts and complexity comfortably.
• Perseverance - Pursues everything with energy, drive, and a need to finish; seldom gives up before finishing, especially in the face of resistance or setbacks.
• Technical Learning - Picks up on technical things quickly; can learn new skills and knowledge; is good at learning new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge.
• Creativity - Comes up with a lot of new ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; tends to be seen as original and value-added in brainstorming settings.
• Dealing with Ambiguity - Can effectively cope with change; can decide and act without having the total picture; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.

Required education and experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work or apprenticeship experience in real estate, energy project development, financial services, or consulting. 
• 2+ years of experience in real estate, energy project development, financial services, or consulting.
• Passion for clean energy projects and decarbonization is a plus. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to evaluate priorities and multi-task accordingly while keeping others apprised of status with respect to deadlines.
• Ability to identify problems and discrepancies, independently perform research and analysis of causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Must be detail and results-oriented with an ability to work in a cross-functional, fast paced, and constantly evolving environment.
• Team player to work in concert with all parts of the organization.
• Familiar with Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Experience with Airtable is a plus.
• Experience with New York City real estate is a plus.
• Excellent personal organization and time management skills. 
• Ability to handle multiple projects at one time and prioritize workload.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.  

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and committed to leveraging the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experience of our workforce to create opportunities for our colleagues and our business. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender expression, gender identity, sex, age, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran and military status, disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status of an individual or that individual’s associates or relatives that is protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.