Director of Development - Brownfield BESS, Northeast

About Elevate

Elevate is dedicated to deploying reliable energy solutions that power communities. Our focus is on enabling the future of energy through significant digital and data center expansions and supporting a more resilient, electrified grid.

Position Summary

The Director of Brownfields Development will lead the technical aspects of brownfield BESS development, complementing an existing team of solar and battery storage developers. Key responsibilities include establishing technical development standards, representing the company in regulatory proceedings, and overseeing project portfolios.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and refine technical development standards, workflows, and KPIs to optimize project execution.
• Serve as the team's subject matter expert on brownfield development, geotechnical assessment, permitting, and generator tie-line development; mentor developers and enhance team capabilities.
• Represent Elevate in regulatory proceedings, agency meetings, and stakeholder forums.
• Own a portfolio of active brownfield BESS projects, managing schedules, budgets, and stage-gate milestones to project finance standards.
• Coordinate across engineering, interconnection, finance, legal, policy, and construction teams to ensure technical and commercial viability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead technical brownfield due diligence, including Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments and coordination with environmental consultants on remediation scoping and execution.
• Manage projects enrolled in state cleanup programs, tracking remedial milestones, regulatory correspondence, and certificate-of-completion requirements.
• Identify and mitigate environmental constraints affecting site feasibility, project schedule, or financing.
• Lead complex, multi-agency permitting for brownfield BESS projects, including SEQR/CEQR, NYSDEC, Army Corps of Engineers, local land use approvals, building permits, and FDNY/fire code compliance.
• Navigate permitting challenges specific to brownfield redevelopment, including remediation overlaps, deed restrictions, institutional controls, and legacy infrastructure constraints.
• Oversee geotechnical investigations for BESS infrastructure, reviewing soil and foundation reports and coordinating with civil and structural engineers on site design.
• Manage civil, structural, and electrical engineering consultants through site planning, grading, stormwater, and utility coordination workstreams.
• Critically evaluate engineering deliverables, such as geotechnical reports, civil site plans, electrical one-lines, structural calculations, and drive resolution of technical issues.
• Lead generator tie-line development, including ROW identification and acquisition, transmission line design, utility and regulatory approvals, and interconnection agreement execution.
• Coordinate with the interconnection team to align gen-tie design, interconnection queue progression, and project schedule.
• Manage external consultants and legal counsel supporting transmission permitting and ROW efforts.
• Own the development-to-preconstruction transition: deliver complete IFC-ready drawing packages, finalized permits, executed agreements, and project finance documentation.
• Lead constructability reviews with engineering and construction teams; identify and resolve design or permitting gaps prior to NTP.
• Support GC procurement, including RFP preparation, bid evaluation, and contract negotiation in coordination with legal and finance.

Candidate Profile

• Required Experience:
• - 8–12 years in energy infrastructure development with a strong technical foundation; utility-scale BESS or power generation experience preferred.
• - Engineering background strongly preferred; PE license or equivalent technical credentials a plus.
• - Demonstrated expertise in brownfield site development, including environmental due diligence, remediation oversight, and coordination under state and federal cleanup programs; NYSDEC BCP experience a strong plus.
• - Hands-on geotechnical and civil engineering coordination experience — able to direct investigations, critically review subsurface reports, and work through civil/site design challenges with consultants.
• - Deep experience with complex technical permitting in New York State, including SEQR/CEQR, NYSDEC, Army Corps, DOB, and FDNY; NYC regulatory experience highly preferred.
• - Generator tie-line development experience: ROW acquisition, transmission permitting, utility coordination, and interconnection agreement support.
• - Strong working knowledge of the NYISO interconnection process and experience advancing projects through the queue.
• - Proven experience managing the development-to-preconstruction handoff, including IFC package review, constructability coordination, and GC procurement.
• - Skilled at managing external consultants — environmental, geotechnical, civil, permitting, legal — and integrating their work into a cohesive project narrative.
• - Outstanding communication skills; equally effective in technical reviews and executive stakeholder presentations.
• - Willingness to travel to project sites and regulatory meetings.