Community Development Manager Jobs in Alberta (NOW HIRING)

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Development Manager

Role Overview

A renewable energy company is seeking a Development Manager to lead the advancement of utility-scale renewable energy projects across Canada.

This role is central to the company’s strategy of acquiring, optimizing, and advancing projects to Ready-to-Build (RTB). The Development Manager will take ownership of projects from early-stage diligence through permitting, interconnection, and pre-construction, ensuring they are de-risked, financeable, and execution-ready.

In addition, the role will play a key part in project acquisition by leading the technical and development due diligence process, ensuring informed investment decisions and smooth transition into development.

The position requires a strong understanding of Alberta’s regulatory framework (AUC, AESO), combined with a highly commercial and execution-oriented mindset.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Development Leadership

• Lead development of solar, wind, and BESS projects from acquisition through RTB.
• Define and manage development strategy, schedules, and critical path.
• Drive projects to meet key milestones aligned with investment timelines.

2. Acquisition Due Diligence Leadership

• Lead the due diligence process during project acquisitions, focusing on development, permitting, and interconnection aspects.
• Assess:
• Permits and regulatory status
• Interconnection position and constraints
• Development risks, timelines, and costs to RTB
• Coordinate internal teams (legal, finance, engineering) and external advisors.
• Provide clear recommendations to support investment decisions and valuation.
• Ensure seamless handover from acquisition to development execution.

3. Permitting & Regulatory (AUC / AESO)

• Manage all regulatory processes, including:
• AUC applications and approvals
• AESO interconnection process and cluster participation
• Coordinate with consultants (e.g., environmental, engineering, permitting advisors).
• Identify regulatory risks early and implement mitigation strategies.

4. Interconnection & Grid Strategy

• Lead interconnection strategy, including:
• Coordination with AESO and transmission providers
• Management of GUOC requirements and timelines
• Optimize grid connection capacity and project configuration.

5. Land & Stakeholder Management

• Oversee land agreements (leases, easements, surface rights).
• Maintain relationships with:
• Landowners
• Municipalities
• Indigenous communities
• Ensure stakeholder alignment throughout development.

6. Technical Coordination

• Work closely with internal engineering and external consultants to:
• Develop site layouts and optimization
• Define technical scope for EPC
• Support early-stage design and cost estimates
• Ensure projects are designed to meet bankability and constructability standards.

7. Commercial & Acquisition Support

• Support acquisition due diligence, including:
• Review of permits, interconnection status, and development risks
• Identification of key value drivers and constraints
• Work with legal and finance teams on development-related inputs for transactions.

8. Budget & Schedule Management

• Prepare and manage development budgets.
• Track progress against timelines and proactively resolve delays.
• Ensure development costs and schedules are aligned with financial models.

9. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with:
• Legal (permitting, contracts)
• Finance (models, investment decisions)
• EPC team (handover to construction)
• Ensure smooth transition from development to execution (NTP readiness).

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 5–10+ years of experience in renewable energy development.
• Proven track record advancing projects to RTB in Canada (Alberta strongly preferred).

Technical & Regulatory Expertise

• Strong understanding of:
• AUC approval process
• AESO interconnection and cluster system
• Environmental and permitting requirements
• Experience with solar, wind, and/or energy storage projects.

Commercial Mindset

• Ability to evaluate project viability and prioritize high-value opportunities.
• Strong understanding of development economics and key value drivers.
• Comfortable working in a deal-driven, fast-paced environment.

Project Management Skills

• Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven ability to manage consultants and external stakeholders.

Communication & Leadership

• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work with international teams and senior leadership.
• Clear, concise communication with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Why Join

• Direct involvement in large-scale renewable energy acquisitions and developments.
• Opportunity to shape and build a growing North American platform.
• High level of autonomy and impact on project outcomes.
• Exposure to international capital and strategic decision-making.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Long-term career growth opportunity
• Comprehensive benefits package

Work Authorization Requirement

• This position is open only to candidates who are legally authorized to work in Canada.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.