Project Development Director Jobs in Charlottesville, VA

Company Description
Apex Clean Energy was founded with a singular focus: to accelerate the shift to clean energy. Through origination, construction, and operation of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage facilities, distributed energy resources, and green fuel technologies, Apex is expanding the renewable frontier across North America. Our mission-driven team of almost 400 professionals uses a data-focused approach and an unrivaled portfolio of projects to create solutions for the world's most innovative and forward-thinking customers. For more information about how Apex is building the energy company of the future, visit apexcleanenergy.com.
Apex strives to excel in every phase of project realization, from origination and financing to construction and asset management. Our mission-driven team seeks determined, resolute individuals who strive to innovate and go above the call of duty, and who will relentlessly do their part to help accelerate the shift to America's clean energy future.
Job Description
To ensure clarity in our organizational structure, we will be using the external title "Project Director" while maintaining the internal title of "Project Executive." The Project Executive oversees multiple utility-scale renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and battery storage. This position is essential for advancing our mission to accelerate the transition to clean energy, providing strategic leadership from pre-construction to commissioning, and ensuring projects meet safety, quality, cost, and scheduling goals. This title distinction accurately reflects the role's level of responsibility while aligning with industry standards for external engagements.
The Project Executive is a senior leader within Apex Clean Energy's Engineering & Construction division, responsible for the successful execution of multiple utility-scale renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Reporting to the Vice President of Construction, this role provides strategic oversight and leadership across multiple concurrent projects or large, complex developments from pre-construction through commissioning and commercial operation.
The Project Executive serves as a key driver of project performance, ensuring alignment with Apex's standards for safety, quality, cost, and schedule, while supporting the company's mission to accelerate the shift to clean energy.
Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of multiple, or single large utility-scale wind, solar, and BESS projects, ensuring delivery from pre-construction through COD in alignment with Apex's development and operational objectives.
• Provide direct leadership and oversight to project managers, and construction management teams across multiple active project sites.
• Partner closely with Development, Engineering, Procurement, and Asset Management teams to ensure seamless project handoff, execution, and operational readiness.
• Establish and maintain project governance, reporting, and performance tracking to ensure transparency and accountability across all assigned projects.
• Drive execution strategies, including contracting models (EPC, multi-contract, hybrid approaches), construction sequencing, and resource planning.
• Maintain full accountability for project budgets, schedules, and risk profiles, proactively identifying and mitigating execution risks.
• Support and influence procurement strategies alongside Supply Chain, including major equipment sourcing (turbines, modules, inverters, BESS systems) and logistics planning.
• Lead commercial negotiations and oversight of EPC agreements, major equipment supply contracts, and construction services.
• Ensure compliance with all permitting, environmental, and regulatory requirements, as well as Apex's internal standards and procedures.
• Serve as a senior representative to internal leadership, providing regular updates to the VP of Construction and executive team on project status, risks, and performance metrics.
• Foster a culture of safety excellence, quality execution, and continuous improvement across all project teams and sites.
• Support the transition of projects to Asset Management, ensuring operational readiness and performance optimization post-COD.

Qualifications
To succeed as our Project Executive at Apex Clean Energy, you'll need to excel within the following criteria:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 12+ years of experience in utility-scale energy or infrastructure project execution, with a strong focus on renewables.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent projects or large-scale capital projects (typically $200M+), ideally across wind, solar, and BESS.
• Strong understanding of project delivery models, including EPC and multi-contract structures.
• Proven experience in contract negotiation, commercial management, and project risk mitigation.
• Experience operating within an IPP, developer, or EPC organization.
• Deep knowledge of construction execution, interconnection processes, and grid integration considerations.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing, geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong executive communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Key Competencies

• Portfolio-level project execution and leadership
• Commercial and contractual expertise
• Risk management and mitigation
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Capital project controls and financial oversight
• Stakeholder engagement and executive reporting

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Vice President of Construction
• Direct Reports: Project Managers, and Construction Management personnel

At Apex Clean Energy, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation and success. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued and empowered. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet every qualification listed in the job description. Your unique experiences and skills could be the perfect fit for our team!
If you are passionate about renewable energy and want to join us in accelerating the shift to clean energy, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application for our team's review!
Additional Information
Work Environment:
Works primarily traditional office hours in an indoor office environment. Flexible work hours allowed when work duties and business operations permit. Occasional travel to job sites, vendor and partner facilities, conferences, and other office locations on an as-needed basis.
This role is based within Apex Clean Energy's Engineering & Construction organization and requires regular travel to project sites. The position supports a dynamic, fast-paced environment focused on delivering best-in-class renewable energy infrastructure across the United States. This role will be expected to spend a substantial amount of time at our Charlottesville VA headquarters, as well as on project sites.
Ideal home location in VA or Texas is preferred.
How You'll Grow
At Apex Clean Energy, our professional development plans focus on helping people at every level of their career to identify and use their strengths to do their best work every day. From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe there's always room to learn. We offer opportunities to help sharpen skills in addition to hands-on experience in the dynamic, fast-paced renewable energy industry. From on-the-job learning experiences to a robust multi-week onboarding experience to formal development programs, our professionals have a variety of opportunities to continue to grow throughout their career.
What Apex Can Offer You
At Apex Clean Energy, we know that great people make a great company. We value our people and offer employees a broad, best-in-class range of benefits.

• A mission-driven, energetic environment that supports and encourages our people to do their best work every day.
• A respect for and celebration of individuality, differences, and uniqueness
• Collaborative and driven professional workforce committed to supporting your ideas and feedback and accelerating your potential
• Ongoing support and guidance such as on-the-job learning, hands-on experience, and mentorship
• Training, strategies, and tools to support your personal and professional growth
• Team atmosphere of diverse professionals committed to making an impact as an organization
• Opportunities to volunteer and give back to our local communities
• Exceptional benefits such as medical and dental; 401(k) with corporate match
• Base and bonus commensurate with experience
• Responsible Paid Time Off plus standard company holidays
• Benefits Offered: comprehensive high-deductible health plans, dental and vision insurance plans, short-term and long-term disability, group life insurance, 401(k) corporate matching, flexible spending arrangements, company paid parking and cell phone, fitness and wellness corporate discounts

At this time, Apex will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.
Apex Clean Energy, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.