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Project Development Manager Jobs in Plainfield, IL

PROENERGY

Development Project Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

The Development Project Manager responsibilities will provide primary support and leadership to the WattBridge objective of providing power generation and data center campuses that consists of 1.5 GW ...

New

WTTW

Development Project Manager (WFMT)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$52K - $61K/yr

With passion for WFMT's purpose, the Development Project Manager will bring their enthusiasm, organizational skills, and creativity to the role and collaborative team, raising revenue through WFMT ...

WFMT

Development Project Manager (WFMT)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$52K - $61K/yr

With passion for WFMT's purpose, the Development Project Manager will bring their enthusiasm, organizational skills, and creativity to the role and collaborative team, raising revenue through WFMT ...

Tencate Grass

Business Development Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90 - $150/hr

This role manages relationships throughout the sales and project-development lifecycle and works closely with estimating, operations, project management, marketing, and leadership teams to move ...

Marquee Development

Development Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

Development ORGANZIATION: Marquee Development REPORTS TO: Managing Director, Development LOCATION ... Support project executive and project manager in managing bid process and executing contracts ...

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Project Development Manager information

See Plainfield, IL salary details

$41.9K

$92.1K

$138.4K

How much do project development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for project development manager in Plainfield, IL is $92,149.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,600.00 and $105,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a project development manager?

A Project Development Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and coordinating the planning, execution, and completion of projects within an organization. They manage project teams, set timelines, allocate resources, and ensure that project objectives are met on time and within budget. Project Development Managers often serve as the main point of contact between stakeholders, clients, and team members, ensuring clear communication and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

How does a project development manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project's lifecycle?

A Project Development Manager regularly works with cross-functional teams, including engineering, finance, marketing, and operations, to ensure project objectives are met. They facilitate communication between departments, align goals, and address any conflicts or dependencies that arise. Effective collaboration often involves leading meetings, tracking progress, and ensuring all stakeholders are informed of updates or changes. This collaborative approach is essential for maintaining project momentum and achieving successful outcomes.

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

To thrive as a Project Development Manager, you need expertise in project planning, budgeting, and risk management, often supported by a degree in business, engineering, or construction management. Familiarity with project management software such as MS Project, Primavera, or Asana, and certifications like PMP or PRINCE2, are highly beneficial. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills help foster effective teamwork and client relationships. These skills and qualifications are essential to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.

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

AspectProject Development ManagerProject Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees project planning, execution, and delivery; manages teams and budgetsSupports project tasks, schedules meetings, and tracks progress
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in relevant field; PMP or similar certifications often preferredTypically requires a bachelor's degree; certifications are optional
Work EnvironmentLeads teams in office or on-site; interacts with clients and stakeholdersWorks closely with project teams; often in an office setting
Industry UsageCommonly used in construction, engineering, and IT projectsUsed across various industries for project support roles

The Project Development Manager focuses on leading and managing entire projects, ensuring successful completion, while the Project Coordinator provides support and assists with day-to-day project tasks. Both roles are essential but differ in scope, responsibility, and level of leadership.

What cities near Plainfield, IL are hiring for Project Development Manager jobs?

Cities near Plainfield, IL with the most Project Development Manager job openings:

Project Development Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Project Development Manager job openings in Plainfield, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,149 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Project Development Manager

Scale Microgrid Solutions

Chicago, IL • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

This is a senior individual contributor role with strategic oversight responsibility for leading full lifecycle development of on-site power generation and infrastructure projects to support speed-to-power for hyperscale data centers.

You will originate land opportunities, secure site control, manage interconnection strategy, oversee permitting and commercial structuring, and drive projects to notice to proceed and financial close. This role owns outcomes: it requires strong market knowledge, commercial discipline, regulatory awareness, on-the-ground expertise, and the ability to coordinate internal and external stakeholders without directly managing large teams.

This role will report to our VP, Development - Data Centers, and can be a hybrid role based in Ridgewood, NJ, NYC, Chicago, or West Palm Beach, FL offices.

Key responsibilities will include:

Project Origination & Strategy

  • Identify and originate development opportunities to develop, own, and operate on-site energy infrastructure to support hyperscale data center loads
  • Evaluate capacity, energy, and ancillary service market fundamentals.
  • Develop market entry strategies aligned with ISO planning cycles.
  • Lead site selection and land control strategy.
  • Assess transmission constraints and nodal pricing dynamics.

 

Development Execution

  • Oversee environmental and permitting strategy in coordination with environmental leadership.
  • Lead interconnection application strategy and coordinate directly with ISOs, utilities, and transmission owners.
  • Manage consultant teams, including engineering, environmental, and transmission advisors.
  • Develop and maintain integrated development schedules and budgets
  • Identify and mitigate fatal flaw risks.
  • Drive projects toward financial close and construction readiness.

 

Strategic Oversight

  • Provide executive-level reporting on development pipeline status.
  • Present risk matrices and exposure analysis to leadership.
  • Advise on portfolio strategy and expansion regions.
  • Support the evaluation of joint ventures and M&A opportunities

 

Work Environment

  • Office-based role with travel to projects as required.
  • Fast-paced development environment with shifting regulatory and market dynamics.
The Ideal Candidate:

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, Energy Systems, or related field.
  • 8+ years of experience in power project development within organized wholesale markets.
  • Experience developing natural gas generation or utility-scale energy assets.
  • Proven ability to independently drive projects from early-stage to advanced development.
  • Strong commercial negotiation skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

 

Preferred

  • Experience with gas-fired generation paired with large data center loads.
  • Advanced financial modeling capabilities.
  • Experience in structuring tax equity or infrastructure capital partnerships.
  • MBA or advanced degree.

 

Leadership Competencies

  • Strategic thinker with strong market intuition.
  • High ownership mindset.
  • Comfortable operating with limited direction.
  • Strong risk evaluator.
  • Skilled at balancing technical, regulatory, and commercial variables.
  • Executive presence with the ability to influence without authority.
This is a great opportunity to have a long-term impact on a fast-paced, private equity-backed growth business. Some of the core virtues embraced by Scales' employees include:
       Do the Right Thing
       Act Like an Owner
       Hustle
       Demand Results
       Go Together
       Evolve or Disappear
 
We offer a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive benefits program including medical benefits, paid vacation and holidays, and 401K matching.
 

About Scale Microgrids
Scale is redefining resilience, with advanced microgrids that go beyond traditional backup power solutions to give businesses the power to adapt and thrive amid all of today's growing energy challenges. As a vertically-integrated provider of turnkey advanced microgrid systems, Scale combines project design, engineering, and execution expertise with microgrid-as-a-service financing to offer our customers systems that are optimized to deliver maximum value from day one while ensuring ultra-reliable operations and fast time-to-power.
 
Scale is backed by EQT, a firm with ~$250B in assets, bringing a depth of experience, resources, and capital that will enable Scale to continue pursuing our vision of powering the world with distributed energy. The investment enables Scale to own and operate billions of dollars in distributed generation assets.  To learn more about Scale Microgrids, please visit https://www.scalemicrogrids.com.
 

About EQT
EQT is a leading purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 246 billion in total assets under management, divided into two business segments: Private Capital and Real Assets. EQT owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas and supports them in achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence, and market leadership. To learn more about EQT, please visit https://eqtgroup.com.
 

Scale strives to attract and retain a workforce that reflects the composition of our customer base and communities. We are committed to providing a work environment that provides everyone with equal access and opportunity to contribute and drive meaningful outcomes.  We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and will consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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