Director of Development, Central

Aypa Power, a Blackstone portfolio company, is a leading developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale energy storage and hybrid renewable projects that power our communities and cities. Our mission is to responsibly decarbonize the grid and make North American energy markets more affordable, sustainable, and efficient. Aypa is well-capitalized and uniquely positioned to lean forward on projects with well-suited deal structures to meet our customers’ needs. We have been at the forefront of energy storage development since our first energy storage project came online in 2018. As a leader in our industry, we have over 22 GW of utility-scale energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects in development and 33 projects in operation or construction across North America. We seek an experienced Director of Development who will spearhead the development of utility-scale stand-alone energy storage from market assessment to site development and through financial close, throughout Aypa’s Central region, which includes MISO, SPP-East, ERCOT, and SERC. Responsibilities: Serve as the company’s lead representative to landowners, local officials, and community members by conducting outreach and maintaining positive relationships to drive commercially successful project outcomes; Navigate federal, state, and especially local permitting to obtain key discretionary and administrative approvals for projects; Provide strategic guidance, analysis, and input on market opportunities as well as Areas of Interest (“AOI”) within markets that have been identified by and with the Commercial team; Evaluate project viability within AOIs using GIS tools and other research (“fatal flaw” analyses) to target the best options for further pursuit; Plan, pursue, and negotiate land contracts (e.g. Option to Purchase or Lease) with landowners; Organize environmental studies (e.g. ESA Phase 1, Critical Issues Analysis, Permit Matrix, Wetland Delineation, etc.) along with Coordinate Surveys, Titles, and curative work, and interpret and communicate design constraints; Project Management: Coordinate cross-functional teams, (e.g. legal, transmission, development engineering, pre-construction, offtake (PPA) origination, public affairs, finance, etc.)and external consultants to keep project development and commercialization on schedule; Track and communicate project status and risks/mitigation and prepare budgets, schedules, and reporting; Other duties as assigned or required. Key Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a related field or industry equivalent (e.g. Business, Finance, Economics, Real Estate, Engineering, Environmental Science)graduate degree (e.g., MBA) a strong plus; Minimum of eight (8) years of experience with demonstrated project success in utility-scale project development; High initiative and desire to thrive. in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment, including a creative and proactive work ethic; Strong project management skills with experience managing multiple large teams on concurrent projects; Demonstrated ability to accurately assess, quantify, and resolve project and contractual risk; Knowledge of and experience with electric markets within Aypa’s Central region, including legal, regulatory, and environmental aspects; Experience in MS Office (Teams, Project, PowerPoint, Excel). Compensation and Location: Salary: A Base salary commensurate with experience; Bonus: An annual bonus will be awarded based on individual performance and the business's overall success; Benefits: Aypa offers an attractive benefits package with excellent health care/dental/vision, 401k matching, unlimited vacation, and other health/wellness benefits; Location: Must be based in Aypa’s Central region. While headquartered in Austin, TX the candidate’s workplace location remote / flexible provided the candidate is able to travel as required. Ability to work in the United States is a requirement. Travel: Candidate must be willing to travel 50% across the US to project sites and meetings. At Aypa, we nurture and support a highly diverse team and actively seek to advance fair and inclusive practices in all aspects of what we do. We hire passionate, dedicated, and forward-thinking individuals from different backgrounds and value unique perspectives and experiences. With a focus on belonging, we are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all. Please note: We kindly request that recruiting companies and agencies refrain from contacting us regarding this job posting. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in respecting our hiring process. Thank you.