Director Generation Interconnection

Leeward Renewable Energy is seeking a Director of Generation Interconnection in Phoenix, AZ. This leadership role involves managing interconnection activities for renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and energy storage. Responsibilities include project location identification, application management, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate has 8-10+ years of experience in transmission planning and interconnection processes, strong technical skills, and the ability to collaborate across teams.
LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) is a high-growth renewable energy company forging a sustainable future through integrity, innovation, and positive impact. We own and operate 30 large wind, solar, and energy storage projects across the United States, totaling over 3 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity.

LRE has an ambitious goal of 10GW of operating assets by 2028 and are developing and contracting an increasing pipeline of new projects every year. We take a full-lifecycle approach to our projects, built on a long-term ownership model and a company culture dedicated to our community partners and protecting the environment.

The Director of Generation Interconnection serves as a key leader in managing interconnection activities across the full lifecycle of renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and energy storage. This role is responsible for identifying optimal project locations, preparing and managing generation interconnection applications, reviewing and challenging interconnection study results, and negotiating agreements with utilities and RTOs. The Director collaborates closely with development, engineering, construction, and commercial teams to ensure a seamless transition of interconnection requirements from early-stage development through execution and operations. The role requires strong technical expertise in interconnection processes, deep knowledge of transmission planning and grid integration, and the ability to assess network upgrade costs, congestion risks, and interconnection feasibility. Additionally, this position involves advocacy in stakeholder forums, engagement with regulatory bodies, and tracking policy changes that impact interconnection strategy. The ideal candidate is a highly organized, strategic thinker with exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills, who thrives under pressure and is passionate about advancing renewable energy.

Essential Functions:
• Review & analyze interconnection studies to assess project feasibility, cost, and schedule impacts.
• Support strategic decision-making for interconnection projects, advising on cost allocation, congestion risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Manage interconnection projects through the full lifecycle, collaborating with development, regulatory, commercial, and operations teams.
• Provide interconnection expertise for M&A, due diligence, project acquisitions, and financing.
• Represent the company in stakeholder forums, regulatory proceedings, and interconnection policy discussions with ISOs/RTOs and utilities.
• Track & influence transmission policy changes, supporting Government Affairs in interconnection advocacy.
• Ensure technical compliance with grid codes, interconnection requirements, and transmission system planning.
• Engage in continuous learning, staying informed on ISO/RTO queue reform, transmission upgrades, hybrid/storage integration, and industry best practices.
• Lead and mentor day to day functioning of junior staff.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:
• Bachelor's degree (Master's degree a plus).
• 8-10+ years in transmission planning, generation interconnection, or power systems engineering.
• Experience with ISO/RTO processes, utility transmission planning, and power flow analysis.
• Preferred experience in CAISO and the WECC region with knowledge of regional interconnection processes.

Technical Expertise:
• Proficiency in TARA, PSS/E, PSLF, or similar power system modeling tools (PSCAD a plus).
• Strong understanding of load flow, stability, short-circuit studies, and interconnection cost analysis.
• Familiarity with FERC, NERC standards, interconnection agreements, and regulatory policies.

Project & Stakeholder Management:
• Ability to manage multiple interconnection projects efficiently and effectively.
• Strong relationships with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, regulatory agencies, and industry groups.
• Experience advocating in stakeholder forums and regulatory proceedings.

Leadership & Communication:
• Clear, effective communicator with strong public speaking, technical writing, and presentation skills.
• Proven problem-solving and analytical skills to resolve interconnection challenges.
• Collaborative, strategic thinker who can drive interconnection strategies and project execution.
• Ability to coach, mentor and develop junior employees.

Leeward Management Services, LLC is committed to employing a diverse workforce and provides equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies: Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting vendors or employment agencies. Only recruiting vendors with a current, signed agreement in place with LRE are authorized to submit resumes for specific, requested positions. All unsolicited resumes and candidate profiles submitted to LRE, or any LRE employee, without an active agreement or written request from LRE's HR Department, will be considered property of LRE. LRE will not be responsible for any fees or expenses associated with unsolicited resumes or candidates submitted in this manner.