Project Development Manager

Company Profile 

At Sand Cherry Associates, we excel in the design and delivery of strategic customer-centric initiatives through digitally-native, data-empowered solutions.  Our client’s confidence in us is centered on exceptionally skilled, high-energy talent working with the support of the full Sand Cherry team.  Finding the right match for this role is a critical aspect of continuing that success.  

Overview 

The Project Development Manager owns and drives the day-to-day development of assigned projects from early concept through Final Investment Decision (FID) and Notice to Proceed (NTP). This role combines hands-on execution with cross-functional coordination, ensuring projects meet technical, commercial, regulatory, and schedule requirements while producing tangible, decision-ready deliverables. This is a 3–6 month project with potential to move internal as a temp- hire employee for the right candidate. This is a remote role that will require monthly travel (a minimum of 1x/month, possibly more at times) to Houston, TX or Denver, CO. Must be willing to travel monthly. This role will begin as a 1099 contract consultant. All qualified candidates must already live in the United States and be fully authorized to work without requiring visa sponsorship or visa transfer.

Responsibilities

Project Development Leadership

·      Own and actively drive projects from concept through FID/NTP, including building and maintaining detailed development plans, milestone schedules, and deliverable trackers

·      Lead and execute feasibility studies, site screening, and early-stage configuration decisions, producing decision-ready analyses and recommendations

·      Coordinate cross-functional deliverables for internal approvals and external diligence

Grid Strategy & Utility Interface

·      Develop and submit applications and manage study processes end-to-end

·      Coordinate and compile technical inputs (e.g., load assumptions, one-lines, protection schemes, or equipment requirements) across internal and external teams

·      Maintain interconnection trackers, timelines, and risk, escalating issues as needed

Permitting & External Stakeholder Management

·      Build and manage permitting plans, schedules, and submission packages

·      Coordinate environmental and regulatory studies, ensuring timely reports and filings

·      Track and manage permit conditions, approvals, and compliance obligations

·      Maintain stakeholder logs and communication records for agencies and landowners

Site Control & Third-Party Execution

·      Drive land and site control efforts, including managing leases, easements, access agreements, and key dates through execution

·      Support drafting inputs, negotiation, and execution tracking of third-party agreements

·      Oversee site due diligence (environmental, geotechnical, survey/title) and consolidate findings into actionable outputs

Project Controls, Reporting & Governance

·      Build and maintain integrated schedules, budget trackers, risk registers, deliverable trackers, and decision logs

·      Track budget vs. actual spend, including invoice review and coordination

·      Produce stage-gate deliverables, investment memos, and executive-ready reporting

Requirements

·      Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field preferred)

·      Minimum of 7+ years experience in energy, infrastructure, or large capital project development

·      Demonstrated experience advancing projects through key milestones including interconnection, permitting, site control, and FID/NTP readiness

·      Strong understanding of power generation, energy or infrastructure industry

·      Strong project development lifecycle, including interconnection, permitting, land/site control, and early-stage commercial structuring efforts

·      Proven ability to drive execution across cross-functional teams and deliver milestones

·      Experience engaging with utilities, regulators, landowners, and third-party stakeholders

·      Ability to manage consultants and vendors with scopes, deliverables, and performance

·      Strong financial and commercial acumen to support investment decisions and evaluate trade-offs

·      Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including development of executive-ready materials and presentations

·      Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, delivery-focused consulting environment

·      Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams and deliverables

·      Experience managing external consultants, Owner’s Engineers, or EPC interfaces  

·      Experience supporting large-scale generation, industrial, or infrastructure projects

·      PMP or similar certification in project management is preferred

Our team is unique — we are passionate about what we do. At Sand Cherry, our Consultants know they are impacting and shaping our clients’ industries. We recognize our employees for their contributions. Our culture is one of the most friendly and communicative in the consulting industry. Sand Cherry is not a top-heavy organization. We offer the opportunity to be part of a digital workforce. Discover the experience that only comes with self-responsibility in the workplace. Our team members manage their own workloads and are expected to deliver exceptional work for our clients. Professional career growth is one of our main priorities, as we affirm that investing in our Consultants and empowering our people will also deliver the best results and value for our clients.