Senior Director, Wind Energy

Deriva Energy is seeking a Senior Director of Wind Energy based in Charlotte, NC, to manage the operation and maintenance of its U.S. wind energy portfolio. This leadership role involves overseeing financial performance, strategic planning, and team management while ensuring regulatory compliance. The director will also focus on business development and operational efficiency within the renewable energy sector, fostering a high-performance culture among team members.
Job Description

Deriva Energy is a leader in renewable energy, committed to advancing a sustainable energy future through innovation and operational excellence. With a growing portfolio of wind, solar, and energy storage assets, we focus on delivering clean, reliable, and cost-effective solutions to our customers. We are seeking a visionary and strategic Senior Director of Wind Energy to oversee the operation and maintenance of our renewable wind energy fleet across the United States, including management of P&Ls, teams, and projects. This is an excellent opportunity to play a central role in shaping the future of wind energy within a forward-thinking, mission-driven organization.

Position Overview

The Senior Director of Wind Energy will be responsible for managing the operation and maintenance of the company’s renewable wind energy portfolio, which includes twenty-one wind energy projects across the U.S. This leadership role involves overseeing the day-to-day operations, financial performance, and strategic direction of the wind energy fleet, ensuring that each project is managed effectively, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulatory standards. The Director will manage a team responsible for budget creation, resource planning, and performance monitoring, and will be instrumental in developing business opportunities for operational support growth, along with new renewable energy ventures.

This role is based in Deriva Energy’s corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Business Development
• Develop and implement strategic plans for growth, efficiency improvements, and business development within the wind energy sector, including oversight of operational performance and the development of new business opportunities.
• Lead the creation and maintenance of required documentation, databases, and reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and accessibility of critical data for strategic decisions.
• Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics for the wind energy portfolio, aligning with corporate goals and ensuring financial health.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory obligations, including NERC standards, PPA (Power Purchase Agreements), lending, and other external stakeholder requirements.
• Support the development of strategies to for renewable projects and expand the company’s market presence in the wind energy sector.

Leadership & Employee Development
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate direct reports, fostering a high-performance culture that emphasizes accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Provide constructive feedback on performance, guide employees through career development, and support continuous improvement through tailored development programs.
• Promote team ownership of projects and decision-making processes, ensuring alignment with company goals and encouraging personal and professional growth.
• Strive to attract, develop, and retain top talent, maintaining a strong, capable team that is motivated and empowered to achieve operational excellence.

Operational Oversight & Efficiency
• Oversee the daily operations of the company’s wind energy fleet, ensuring effective planning, resource scheduling, and execution in alignment with corporate and fleet objectives.
• Work closely with Deriva peer leaders to develop, review, and coordinate outage schedules that support overall company objectives and minimize operational downtime.
• Ensure effective planning, organizing, and dispatching of resources, optimizing the performance of each wind energy project in line with company priorities.
• Review and refine operational procedures, documentation, and control processes, identifying opportunities for improvement to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs.
• Accountable for environmental, safety, and ethical processes, ensuring that all operations align with best practices and industry standards.

Regulatory Compliance & Industry Representation
• Lead the Deriva wind sector compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to NERC reliability standards
• Oversee the preparation and execution of internal and external audits, self-assessments, and compliance processes to ensure full regulatory compliance of wind sector assets.
• Represent Deriva Energy in industry committees, working groups, and task forces, advocating for the company’s interests and influencing industry recommendations.
• Accountable for wind sector compliance-related processes such as self-reports, mitigation plans, and any necessary corrective actions related to operational or regulatory performance.

Required Qualifications
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Renewable Energy, Business Administration, or a related discipline
• Experience: 10 years or more of increasingly diverse or complex experience in related field in addition to degree

Preferred Qualifications
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Renewable Energy, Business Administration, or a related field; advanced degree or certifications preferred.
• Experience: 15 years or more of experience in the renewable energy industry, with five (5) years or more in wind energy operations management, including leadership of teams and multi-project oversight.
• Leadership Expertise: Proven track record of leading high-performing teams, managing complex operations, and driving continuous improvement in a dynamic, fast-paced industry.
• Operational Knowledge: Strong understanding of wind energy systems, asset management, performance optimization, and regulatory compliance, including familiarity with NERC reliability standards.
• Financial Acumen: Expertise in budget management, financial forecasting, and P&L oversight, with experience managing multiple projects and meeting financial and operational goals.
• Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence internal and external stakeholders effectively.
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of NERC compliance, ISO/RTO requirements, and relevant regulatory frameworks within the renewable energy sector.

Additional Information

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Deriva welcomes veterans of the United States Armed Forces to apply for this position. Deriva includes veterans of all branches and a diverse set of occupational specialties. We value the independent thinking, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork that our veterans have developed through their service. We welcome applications from any service and any military occupational specialty.

Deriva Energy is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, protected veteran or military status, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.