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Project Development Director Jobs in Durham, NC (NOW HIRING)

KBR

Senior Director of Business Development

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Title: Senior Director of Business Development KBR ISA (Integrated Solutions Americas) delivers ... Position KBR early in the project lifecycle to influence project development, delivery strategies ...

Selby Jennings

Director of Development

Raleigh, NC

The Director of Development will build and lead the development team, establish scalable systems and processes, cultivate key industry relationships, and oversee the successful execution of projects ...

IQVIA

Sr. Business Development Director

Durham, NC

$125K - $349K/yr

Job Overview Establish and manage an effective business development program to maximize ... Establish brand recognition; communicate with internal Project Managers to assess overall level of ...

IQVIA

Sr. Business Development Director

Durham, NC

$125K - $349K/yr

Job Overview Establish and manage an effective business development program to maximize ... Establish brand recognition; communicate with internal Project Managers to assess overall level of ...

IQVIA

Associate Business Development Director

Durham, NC · On-site

$89K - $250K/yr

... directed at decision-makers and decision influencers at existing and new clinical sponsors ... Strong organizational, planning, project management skills * A developing record of customer ...

IQVIA, Inc.

Sr. Business Development Director

Durham, NC · On-site

$125K - $349K/yr

Job Overview Establish and manage an effective business development program to maximize ... Establish brand recognition; communicate with internal Project Managers to assess overall level of ...

NCBiotech

Sr. Business Development Director

Durham, NC · On-site

$125.30 - $349/hr

Job Overview Establish and manage an effective business development program to maximize ... Establish brand recognition; communicate with internal Project Managers to assess overall level of ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsProject Development JobsProject Development Director JobsProject Development Director Jobs in Durham, NC

Project Development Director information

See Durham, NC salary details

$56.6K

$128.7K

$201.6K

How much do project development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for project development director in Durham, NC is $128,729.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,900.00 and $135,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a project development director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Development Director, you need expertise in project management, business development, strategic planning, and a relevant degree—often in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with project management software (like MS Project or Asana), budgeting tools, and certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2 are highly advantageous. Leadership, negotiation, and strong interpersonal communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring project success, stakeholder alignment, and effective delivery of organizational goals.

What are some common challenges faced by a project development director when managing cross-functional teams?

Project Development Directors often work with diverse teams from various departments such as engineering, finance, marketing, and legal. One common challenge is aligning different priorities and communication styles to ensure everyone is working towards the same project goals. Additionally, balancing stakeholder expectations while managing tight deadlines and budget constraints can require strong negotiation and problem-solving skills. Successful Project Development Directors foster collaboration, set clear objectives, and proactively address potential conflicts to keep projects on track.

What does a project development director do?

A Project Development Director oversees the planning, execution, and completion of major projects within an organization. Their responsibilities include identifying project opportunities, managing budgets, coordinating teams, and ensuring projects align with organizational goals. They often serve as the main point of contact for stakeholders and are responsible for mitigating risks and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope. Effective leadership, strategic planning, and strong communication skills are essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Project Development Director vs Project Manager?

AspectProject Development DirectorProject Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, strategic planning, and long-term development initiativesManages individual projects, coordinates teams, and ensures project deliverables
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's in relevant fields, extensive experience in project planning and leadershipBachelor's degree, PMP or similar certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic meetings, cross-department collaborationOn-site or remote project teams, day-to-day project oversight

The Project Development Director focuses on strategic, high-level planning and oversees multiple projects, while the Project Manager handles the execution and daily management of individual projects. Both roles require strong leadership and industry knowledge, but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What cities near Durham, NC are hiring for Project Development Director jobs? Cities near Durham, NC with the most Project Development Director job openings:
Project Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Project Development Director job openings in Durham, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,729 per year, or $61.9 per hour.

Power Plant Project Development Specialist

8 Rivers

Durham, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Company

8 Rivers is a Durham, NC firm focused on the invention, development, and commercialization of sustainable, infrastructure-scale solutions to global problems through impactful technologies. The company maintains the agility, creativity, and fast-paced environment of a start-up, while partnering with large, industry-leading companies to develop and deploy those technologies. Our process enables us to innovate in industrial fields that are lacking in creative disruption. 8 Rivers has demonstrated expertise in generating and commercializing large-scale, meaningful solutions to some of the most challenging problems facing the world today and across a variety of industries in the clean energy, carbon capture, and clean fuels sectors.


The company innovates widely in adjacent markets in the clean energy technology space. Some of our marquee technologies include the Allam-Fetvedt Cycle - a zero-emission power production system that enables low-cost power production with inherent carbon capture, 8RH2 - our innovative clean hydrogen technology utilizing CO2 convective reforming to achieve > 99% carbon capture.


Opportunity

The Power Plant Project Development Specialist drives the technical scoping, engineering design integration, and site evaluation for large-scale power generation assets. This role focuses on technical feasibility, grid interconnection coordination, equipment selection, and regulatory environmental compliance to advance projects from concept to construction-ready state.


As the lead technical strategist for new generation projects, you will oversee the engineering and technical development of greenfield or brownfield power project developments. You are responsible for optimizing efficiency, defining technical plant boundaries, managing utility logistics, and ensuring strict alignment with grid codes and environmental standards.


Key Responsibilities

  • Site Selection & Technical Feasibility: Evaluate physical sites for grid interconnection capacity, proximity to gas transmission pipelines, raw water sourcing logistics, and structural zoning suitability.
  • Technology Selection: Collaborate with engineering teams to analyze heat balances and select heavy-duty gas turbines, Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs), and steam turbines to maximize plant flexibility and lower heat rates.
  • Studies Oversight: Define clear scopes of work, technical deliverables, and QA/QC standards for external consultants delivering ambient air quality modeling, noise impact studies, etc.
  • Grid Interconnection Engineering: Manage the RTO/ISO interconnection process, directing system impact studies, facilities studies, and technical compliance with transmission system reliability standards.
  • Environmental & Permitting Compliance: Define technical parameters for air emission control systems (e.g., SCR, CO catalysts), water treatment systems, and noise mitigation to meet federal, state, and local regulatory criteria.
  • Consultant Management: Direct specialized third-party engineering consultants, geotechnical firms, and environmental scientists to execute detailed site investigations, and specialized plant modeling.
  • Owner's Engineer (OE) Liaison: Act as the primary technical point of contact for the Owner's Engineer, managing the translation of developer requirements into detailed engineering scopes, design reviews, and technical specifications.
  • Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Service Provider Engagement: Lead the technical selection and onboarding of long-term O&M service providers during the late-stage development phase. Integrate O&M requirements into the plant's functional design criteria, establishing clear boundaries of responsibility between the EPC contractor and the operator. Facilitate the technical transition of performance guarantees, spare parts philosophies, and specialized tooling needs from OEMs to the O&M team.
  • EPC Technical Scoping: Draft technical scopes of work, functional design criteria, and performance guarantees for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) specifications.


Required Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor of Science or Master's degree in Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
  • Experience: 8+ years of technical project development, plant design, or systems engineering experience specifically within utility-scale power plants.
  • Consultant Oversight: Proven track record managing external Owner's Engineers, environmental consultants, and technical sub-contractors on large-scale infrastructure projects.
  • Technical Skills: Deep knowledge of power-cycle thermodynamics, gas turbine combustion technologies, auxiliary plant systems, and ISO/RTO electrical interconnection processes.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Strong working familiarity with EPA New Source Review (NSR), Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting, and local environmental compliance frameworks.
  • Site & Land Diligence:Coordinate technical diligence of land parcels, including title and survey review, easement and access requirements, site control constraints, environmental sensitivities, and development risks that could affect project layout, permitting, or constructability.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Professional Engineer (PE) license in mechanical or electrical engineering.
  • Direct project history navigating complex RTO/ISO queue reforms or fast-tracked interconnection processes.
  • Professional network with major power generation equipment OEMs, EPC contractors, and top-tier national O&M service firms.
  • Experience with
    land development software tools. (i.e., Google Earth, Open Infrastructure Map, etc.) and power plant simulation and engineering software such as PSS/E, Thermoflow (GT PRO/GT MASTER)
  • Familiarity with emerging technologies such as carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), hydrogen fuel blending, or hybrid energy storage systems.

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