Director of Market Development

The role of the Director of Market Development combines hands-on business development responsibilities with market and policy expertise. The Director works collaboratively with our Project Development and technical teams to increase the value of our existing pipeline and generate new business opportunities related to utility-scale solar and energy storage in a wide range of states and utility territories.  We are looking for an entrepreneurial leader who has experience in renewable energy development and has a deep understanding of how RTO markets and energy policy work. This candidate will be an active member of a multi-disciplinary development team, providing colleagues with both direct, project-level support as well as high-level strategic business guidance. 

This position covers development activities currently happening in MISO and CAISO, though the markets that New Leaf develops in may shift and change over time. 

This position is based out of New Leaf’s Boston, Lowell, Oakland or Chicago offices on a hybrid schedule. Candidates should expect approximately 20% travel to support project sites, stakeholder meetings, and regional conferences. We value in-person collaboration and offer a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and are free to work from the office or home on other days.

Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

• Market Strategy & Expansion: Design data-driven market analyses and business plans to identify high-yield geographies and maximize the value of New Leaf’s existing solar and storage portfolios.
• Business Model Innovation:  Cultivate high-level partnerships and architect new commercial structures, leading the development of innovative business models and strategic partnerships that diversify New Leaf’s market offerings.
• Origination & Offtake Development: In partnership with New Leaf’s Director of Origination, proactively identify and secure long-term revenue contracts (PPAs, VPPAs) by building direct relationships with LSEs and Fortune 500 corporate energy buyers.
• Market & Regulatory Intelligence: Monitor and translate utility commission filings, state legislative and RTO/ISO initiatives into actionable advice, ensuring finance, technical, and development teams are prepared for evolving market rules.
• Interconnection & Market Design: Lead the analysis of complex market designs (e.g. ELCC, hybrid participation models) and RTO/ISO interconnection process changes to mitigate technical development risk and capture first-mover opportunities.
• Strategic Policy Advocacy: Serve as New Leaf's representative in regional trade groups to advocate for favorable policy outcomes.Spearhead select, high-priority policy initiatives and legislative engagement to dismantle regulatory barriers and drive favorable market rule changes for solar and storage assets.

Desired Qualifications 

• A minimum of eight years of experience in business development and/or market strategy focused on the electricity industry;
• Advanced understanding of development challenges and strategies for de-risking utility-scale projects. Includes familiarity with the function of the transmission system and project interconnection processes, wholesale markets, as well as renewable project finance, discounted cash flow models, financial valuations of energy projects and related;
• Demonstrated ability to build and leverage a network of industry partners, trade organizations, and utilities to create high-value, structured partnerships.
• Experience navigating and advocating for state and/or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) jurisdictional wholesale electricity market tariffs, structures, and processes;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate complex issues in preparing briefs and other documents;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Independent, self-driven, and innovative individual with clear focus on results and clear abilities to adapt to changing environments and navigate complex issues. Self-motivated and able to function effectively with minimal supervision. Able to multi-task and effectively manage multiple assignments occasionally under time constraints;
• Passion for accelerating the adoption of renewable energy;
• Flexible and adaptable in support of a growing organization;
• Bachelor’s degree in related field, advanced degree preferred.

Compensation

New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market-competitive base salary, plus above-market variable compensation, plus an equity-like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership.  We use a data-driven and transparent methodology to calibrate compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable, guided by the New Leaf Energy compensation manual, which is available to all employees.

Under our compensation framework, the likely base salary range for this position in the Chicago Office is $182,148 - $210,162. The on-target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 30% percent of base salary. Your actual salary may be above, in, or below this range, depending on your location and experience. Our office locations in Lowell, Boston, Oakland, and Chicago all carry geography-based upward adjustments to the base pay range.

We value transparency and can share more during the interview process.