Director, Business Development

Description:

About Us

Great River Hydro (GRH) is New England’s largest producer of conventional hydropower. We own and operate 13 generating stations and 3 storage-only reservoirs on the Connecticut and Deerfield Rivers. Today, our unique capabilities and operational flexibility play a vital role in our region’s transition to a low carbon, reliable and secure energy future.

At GRH, our most important asset is our people. The GRH team includes over 100 highly skilled professionals who manage, operate, and maintain our facilities. Safety is our highest priority. Our GRH team members are committed to the safety and well-being of each other, our communities and our environment, every single day. Our safety culture drives our successful delivery of reliable, clean energy.

Role Summary

Reporting to the Vice President, Growth and Development, this role’s primary responsibility is to increase enterprise value by driving the company’s strategic asset growth initiatives in the New England region, focusing on energy storage systems. This role will manage the development and implementation of the company’s near-term pipeline of battery energy storage projects co-located with the company’s existing hydroelectric facilities. Additionally, the role will expand the pipeline to include long-term strategic energy storage asset opportunities, supporting the company’s financial growth and regional energy transition goals across New England.

Furthermore, this role will be responsible for a one-time initiative to develop and implement a strategy for securing federal and state funding to support the company’s capital investment activities.

This role travels as needed to company offices and facilities located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Limited overnight and out of the region travel could be required.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning and Growth:

• Leads the development and execution of the company’s business development strategy for energy storage assets in alignment with the company’s strategic plan;
• Identifies and evaluates new business opportunities in the renewable energy sector, focusing on energy storage systems; and
• Develops and maintains a pipeline of potential energy storage projects and partnerships to drive growth.

2. Project Development and Implementation:

• Oversees the development of energy storage projects from concept to completion, including the current portfolio of battery energy storage system projects;
• Conducts feasibility studies, site assessments, financial analyses, and due diligence for potential projects;
• Secures necessary permits, licenses, and regulatory approvals;
• Negotiates and manages contracts, agreements, and partnerships to support business development initiatives;
• Oversees engineering, procurement, and construction phases of multi-million-dollar energy storage projects;
• Manages project teams, budgets, timelines, and resources to ensure timely and on-budget delivery; and
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders for successful project implementation and integration.

3. Market Analysis and Strategy:

• Provides expertise in New England’s energy storage goals, market mechanisms, policies, and programs;
• Monitors industry trends, market design changes, policy developments, and competitive landscapes to identify opportunities and risks;
• Develops and presents market intelligence reports and strategic recommendations to executive leadership;
• Utilizes in-depth knowledge of Independent System Operation of New England (ISO-NE) transmission tariff and markets to inform business development strategies; and
• Stays updated on ISO-NE market rules, tariffs, and operational guidelines relevant to energy storage and renewable energy projects.

4. Financial Analysis and Modeling:

• Develops and maintains financial models to evaluate the economic viability of potential projects and business opportunities;
• Prepares detailed project proposals, investment memos, and business cases for internal and external stakeholders;
• Collaborates with the finance team to secure funding and investment for new projects; and
• Monitors project performance and financial metrics to ensure alignment with business objectives.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management:

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, and community organizations;
• Represents GRH at industry conferences, events, and forums to promote the company’s vision and capabilities with an emphasis on energy storage; and
• Fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment that aligns with GRH’s values of safety, stewardship, reliability, and agility.

6. Federal and State Funding Strategy:

• Develops and implements a comprehensive strategy to track and secure federal and state funding opportunities, including grants, tax credits, and other incentives, to support investment in the company’s existing assets and the development and expansion of renewable energy and energy storage projects;
• Ensures the company has robust business practices and processes in place to maximize eligibility and compliance with funding programs such as the Hydroelectric Production Incentive Program, Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives, and relevant tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act;
• Develops the necessary business processes for the preparation and submission of funding applications, ensuring all regulatory and program requirements are met; and
• Develops monitoring and reporting procedures for tracking the impact of secured funding on the company’s projects and financial performance.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Business Management, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred;
• Minimum 10 years of experience in business development, project management, or strategic planning within the New England energy sector;
• Proven track record of successful project delivery and business growth in the renewable energy industry;
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, and strategic planning skills;
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills;
• Familiarity with ISO-NE interconnection processes and markets or equivalent knowledge of other RTOs;
• Understanding of New England’s Renewable Energy Credit (REC) market and related incentives such as state-level Renewable Portfolio Standards;
• Motivated self-starter capable of multitasking and managing multiple priorities;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including technical proposal drafting;
• Ability to develop relationships with geographically dispersed colleagues;
• Comfortable with public speaking, relationship building, and presentation development;
• Technical proficiency in project management methodologies, practices, and procedures;
• Ability to travel as needed throughout MA, NH, and VT;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; and
• Proficiency with MS Office.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in M&A, corporate finance, or strategic partnerships within the renewable energy sector;
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and innovations in energy storage;
• Familiarity with federal and state policy frameworks affecting renewable energy and energy storage; and
• Proficiency in data analysis and statistical tools relevant to project valuation and development.

Great River Hydro is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Great River Hydro is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.