Director of Development

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Qcells USA’s complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Module, Development, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.

SUMMARY

The Director of Development position will be responsible for identification, assessment and execution of potential strategic partnerships, acquisitions and investments by the company. This position will also be responsible for managing the real estate, permitting and interconnection aspects of multiple utility scale photovoltaic (PV) solar and energy storage projects in targeted US markets. This position reports to the Senior Director of Development, or another management personnel that the President of the Company may designate. This position reports to the Irvine, CA office but will maintain a hybrid schedule of working out of their home office and the Irvine, CA office. Working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 50% of the time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position
• Identify acquisition and greenfield development opportunities for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects throughout North America
• Perform detailed strategic and financial analyses, including company evaluations and financial feasibility studies of potential acquisition opportunities
• Prepare acquisition/divestiture and other strategic transaction summaries and recommendations for Manage all matters related to real estate from initial site control to issuance of the final title policy.
• Co-Manage title closing and issuance of the closing letter and final title policy with required endorsements with real estate team.
• Co-Manage all changes to the ALTA survey to provide a survey acceptable to the financier and the title company
• Review and manage all lease agreements as well as any required amendments acceptable to the financing parties, including recoding the memorandums
• Manage real estate land purchases and any sale lease backs
• Obtain any required crossing agreements such as, driveway, pipeline, transmission and distribution line, canal, DOT, communications, sewer and water, etc.
• Acquire all permits needed to construct and operate utility scale solar and energy storage projects. Obtain all local land use approvals from the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), such as Conditional Use Permits, Zoning Authorizations, Zoning Letters, etc.
• Obtain required State siting and or facilities permits, such as Certificates of Public Necessity (CPCN), Electric Merchant Permits (EMP), Electrical Siting Permits, etc.
• Hearing preparation and lead face for the project at all Local and State land use hearings
• Receive all environmental clearances from Local, State, and Federal agencies as applicable, such as CEQA, NEPA, SEQR, etc.
• Perform historic and cultural resource studies and obtain clearance from the State SHPO as required
• Manage filings with the Federal Aviation Authority and any other effected airports
• Evaluate and obtain any required threatened and endangered species initial screening, protocol surveys, and any required State or Federal take authorizations or permits. This includes consultations per Section 7 of the ESA, Section 10a Take Permits, or any State Take Authorization
• Manage wetland surveys, filing of Preliminary and/or Approved Wetland Jurisdictional Determinations (PJD/AJD), and applying for and receiving approval of Preconstruction Notices (PCN) for issuance of the required Nationwide Wetland Permits
• Manage interconnection applications through the process until commercial operation
• Working knowledge of the ISO/RTO interconnection processes for filing interconnection applications including (CAISO, PJM, ERCOT, SPP, and MISO)
• Manage relationship with the utility and RTO/ISO from application to COD
• Make all required security postings and payments in a timely manner
• Review and solicit comments from consultants and internal team on the feasibility, system impact, and facilities studies
• Negotiate all agreements needed to construct the facilities including Interconnection agreements, engineering and procurement, and construction agreements
• Manage flow of information between HQC US, project investor, and third-party financing representatives
• Provide support for HQC US Structured Finance and Legal departments during project sale, debt and equity closings
• Prepare projects for debt and equity finance or divestment by addressing low and medium finance risk items identified during acquisition process
• Confirm that project land control documents, easements, right-of-way agreements, etc. meet minimum finance thresholds
• Manage all matters related to real estate for the project closing

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a business, urban planning, engineering, finance or other related fields
• 8+ years of renewable energy project development, working on behalf of the owner/developer
• A proven track record as a lead developer with a “deal sheet of projects” 50MW+ in size
• Solid understanding of energy markets and renewable energy development in North America
• Ability to communicate effectively with audiences that include but are not limited to management, coworkers, clients, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders
• Willing to travel up to 50% of the time within North America and internationally
• Represent the company with the utmost professionalism with internal and external communications
• A valid driving license and passport

EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regular professional, office business setting
• Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
• Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)

SALARY RANGE FOR POSITION

The anticipated starting pay range of this position, which is to be located in Irvine, CA is $180, 000 - $250, 000 base salary per year.

The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by Qcells USA Corp are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations at hr-usa@qcells.com.

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.