Navisun, LLC is seeking an experienced and self-directed solar and storage project developer to build out our portfolio of community solar and small utility projects in the Midwest. Under ownership by a large Canadian pension fund (OMERS), we have a huge appetite for growth and a strategic imperative to build a pipeline that we will own for decades. Given the long view of our owners, Navisun offers an opportunity to join a strong, well-supported team to build a strong career and a valuable and sustainable future!

Company Background:

Founded in 2017, Navisun LLC is a solar and storage independent power producer within the United States that co-develops, develops, acquires, builds, owns, and operates distributed and small utility-scale solar projects. The Navisun team has completed numerous projects for municipal, commercial, utility, and institutional partners throughout the United States, with typical project sizes ranging from 1 to 30 megawatts. In January 2022, OMERS acquired Navisun to serve as OMERS’ distributed scale solar platform and to complement prior investments in the renewable energy sector.

The company now currently owns over 100MW’s of distributed generation and possesses short- and long-term goals of reaching 150+ MW acquired annually and 1+ GW cumulatively, through a mix of organic and inorganic growth initiatives. Navisun is poised for significant growth with its strong pipeline, co-development partnerships, the continued pursuit of opportunistic acquisitions, and a committed owner in OMERS.

OMERS Infrastructure is an investment arm of OMERS, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans with $114 billion in net assets (as at June 30, 2021). Headquartered in Toronto, OMERS also has offices in New York, London, Singapore, Sydney and other major cities across North America and originates and manages a diversified portfolio of high-quality investments in public markets, infrastructure, real estate and private equity. A long-term and patient owner, OMERS is committed to investing in the energy transition globally.

Responsibilities:

Responsible for all phases of project development of distributed generation assets (solar and energy storage) from origination to development completion and continued oversight through construction. Additional responsibilities include supporting the Project Development team with policy perspective, market selection expertise, and go-to-market strategy. Key responsibilities include:

Site origination, including identifying, screening, diligencing and obtaining site control via lease option negotiation

Site permitting, utility interconnection application and negotiation, tax negotiation, and other development activities, including but not limited to developing, communicating, and updating key matrices and milestones internally

Development of long-term relationships with property owners, energy users, and other project stakeholders

Effective communication with project stakeholders (e.g. AHJs) and community members to facilitate project permitting and other initiatives; attend and present to town council, planning, and zoning board meetings

Fostering support from state, county and local governments, community groups, and project abutters

Relationship and scope management of external consultants as needed in conjunction with project permitting, including collaboration with engineers and legal counsel to address site plan and town/county approval processes

Development of project schedules, budgets, sales presentations, proposals, and other materials as needed to support project development efforts

Close coordination with senior leadership team, Business Development team, and project development colleagues to develop and implement effective origination and development strategies, define product offerings, and achieve specific team- and company-wide goals

Delivering projects brought into the company by the Business Development team, via acquisition or co-development relationship, to NTP

Support to internal finance, engineering, and construction teams to facilitate successful project financing and construction

Collaboration with industry stakeholders and working groups to advance Navisun’s development objectives in relevant markets

Regular travel is required; some evening and weekend work required

Qualifications:

Five or more years of solar/storage industry experience, with a successful track record in DG project development and stakeholder management, including experience dealing with federal, state or local agencies for permits or entitlements in the target market

Effective engagement in market-level development issues, including interconnection, permitting, and community outreach

Ability to work remotely and be highly self-motivated and self-directed

Ability to travel as needed (expected 40% of time)

Proven project management skills, with an ability to communicate and propose solutions in dynamic situations, and familiarity with one or more project management techniques

Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including public and approval board presentation skills

College degree, preferably in Engineering, Natural Resources, Planning, Construction Management, or related field of study

Skills in project planning software and platforms (e.g. Smartsheets, Microsoft Project, etc.) and Microsoft Office software

Technical knowledge of solar and energy storage a plus

Effective team leader and collaborator

Flexible work from home options available.