Project Development Manager

Company Profile 

At Sand Cherry Associates, we excel in the design and delivery of strategic customer-centric initiatives through digitally-native, data-empowered solutions.  Our client’s confidence in us is centered on exceptionally skilled, high-energy talent working with the support of the full Sand Cherry team.  Finding the right match for this role is a critical aspect of continuing that success.  

Overview 

The Project Development Manager owns and drives the day-to-day development of assigned projects from early concept through Final Investment Decision (FID) and Notice to Proceed (NTP). This role combines hands-on execution with cross-functional coordination, ensuring projects meet technical, commercial, regulatory, and schedule requirements while producing tangible, decision-ready deliverables. This is a 3–6 month project with potential to move internal as a temp- hire employee for the right candidate. This is a remote role that will require monthly travel (a minimum of 1x/month, possibly more at times) to Houston, TX or Denver, CO. Must be willing to travel monthly. This role will begin as a 1099 contract consultant. All qualified candidates must already live in the United States and be fully authorized to work without requiring visa sponsorship or visa transfer.

 

Responsibilities

Project Development Leadership

·      Own and actively drive projects from concept through FID/NTP, including building and maintaining detailed development plans, milestone schedules, and deliverable trackers

·      Lead and execute feasibility studies, site screening, and early-stage configuration decisions, producing decision-ready analyses and recommendations

·      Coordinate cross-functional deliverables for internal approvals and external diligence

Grid Strategy & Utility Interface

·      Develop and submit applications and manage study processes end-to-end

·      Coordinate and compile technical inputs (e.g., load assumptions, one-lines, protection schemes, or equipment requirements) across internal and external teams

·      Maintain interconnection trackers, timelines, and risk, escalating issues as needed

Permitting & External Stakeholder Management

·      Build and manage permitting plans, schedules, and submission packages

·      Coordinate environmental and regulatory studies, ensuring timely reports and filings

·      Track and manage permit conditions, approvals, and compliance obligations

·      Maintain stakeholder logs and communication records for agencies and landowners

Site Control & Third-Party Execution

·      Drive land and site control efforts, including managing leases, easements, access agreements, and key dates through execution

·      Support drafting inputs, negotiation, and execution tracking of third-party agreements

·      Oversee site due diligence (environmental, geotechnical, survey/title) and consolidate findings into actionable outputs

Project Controls, Reporting & Governance

·      Build and maintain integrated schedules, budget trackers, risk registers, deliverable trackers, and decision logs

·      Track budget vs. actual spend, including invoice review and coordination

·      Produce stage-gate deliverables, investment memos, and executive-ready reporting

 

Company Profile At Sand Cherry Associates, we excel in the design and delivery of strategic customer-centric initiatives through digitally-native, data-empowered solutions.  Our client’s confidence in us is ...

Requirements

·      Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field preferred)

·      Minimum of 7+ years experience in energy, infrastructure, or large capital project development

·      Demonstrated experience advancing projects through key milestones including interconnection, permitting, site control, and FID/NTP readiness

·      Strong understanding of power generation, energy or infrastructure industry

·      Strong project development lifecycle, including interconnection, permitting, land/site control, and early-stage commercial structuring efforts

·      Proven ability to drive execution across cross-functional teams and deliver milestones

·      Experience engaging with utilities, regulators, landowners, and third-party stakeholders

·      Ability to manage consultants and vendors with scopes, deliverables, and performance

·      Strong financial and commercial acumen to support investment decisions and evaluate trade-offs

·      Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including development of executive-ready materials and presentations

·      Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, delivery-focused consulting environment

·      Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams and deliverables

·      Experience managing external consultants, Owner’s Engineers, or EPC interfaces  

·      Experience supporting large-scale generation, industrial, or infrastructure projects

·      PMP or similar certification in project management is preferred

 

Company Profile 

At Sand Cherry Associates, we excel in the design and delivery of strategic customer-centric initiatives through digitally-native, data-empowered solutions.  Our client’s confidence in us is centered on exceptionally skilled, high-energy talent working with the support of the full Sand Cherry team.  Finding the right match for this role is a critical aspect of continuing that success.  

Overview 

The Project Development Manager owns and drives the day-to-day development of assigned projects from early concept through Final Investment Decision (FID) and Notice to Proceed (NTP). This role combines hands-on execution with cross-functional coordination, ensuring projects meet technical, commercial, regulatory, and schedule requirements while producing tangible, decision-ready deliverables. This is a 3–6 month project with potential to move internal as a temp- hire employee for the right candidate. This is a remote role that will require monthly travel (a minimum of 1x/month, possibly more at times) to Houston, TX or Denver, CO. Must be willing to travel monthly. This role will begin as a 1099 contract consultant. All qualified candidates must already live in the United States and be fully authorized to work without requiring visa sponsorship or visa transfer.

 

Responsibilities

Project Development Leadership

·      Own and actively drive projects from concept through FID/NTP, including building and maintaining detailed development plans, milestone schedules, and deliverable trackers

·      Lead and execute feasibility studies, site screening, and early-stage configuration decisions, producing decision-ready analyses and recommendations

·      Coordinate cross-functional deliverables for internal approvals and external diligence

Grid Strategy & Utility Interface

·      Develop and submit applications and manage study processes end-to-end

·      Coordinate and compile technical inputs (e.g., load assumptions, one-lines, protection schemes, or equipment requirements) across internal and external teams

·      Maintain interconnection trackers, timelines, and risk, escalating issues as needed

Permitting & External Stakeholder Management

·      Build and manage permitting plans, schedules, and submission packages

·      Coordinate environmental and regulatory studies, ensuring timely reports and filings

·      Track and manage permit conditions, approvals, and compliance obligations

·      Maintain stakeholder logs and communication records for agencies and landowners

Site Control & Third-Party Execution

·      Drive land and site control efforts, including managing leases, easements, access agreements, and key dates through execution

·      Support drafting inputs, negotiation, and execution tracking of third-party agreements

·      Oversee site due diligence (environmental, geotechnical, survey/title) and consolidate findings into actionable outputs

Project Controls, Reporting & Governance

·      Build and maintain integrated schedules, budget trackers, risk registers, deliverable trackers, and decision logs

·      Track budget vs. actual spend, including invoice review and coordination

·      Produce stage-gate deliverables, investment memos, and executive-ready reporting

 

Company Profile At Sand Cherry Associates, we excel in the design and delivery of strategic customer-centric initiatives through digitally-native, data-empowered solutions.  Our client’s confidence in us is ...

Requirements

·      Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field preferred)

·      Minimum of 7+ years experience in energy, infrastructure, or large capital project development

·      Demonstrated experience advancing projects through key milestones including interconnection, permitting, site control, and FID/NTP readiness

·      Strong understanding of power generation, energy or infrastructure industry

·      Strong project development lifecycle, including interconnection, permitting, land/site control, and early-stage commercial structuring efforts

·      Proven ability to drive execution across cross-functional teams and deliver milestones

·      Experience engaging with utilities, regulators, landowners, and third-party stakeholders

·      Ability to manage consultants and vendors with scopes, deliverables, and performance

·      Strong financial and commercial acumen to support investment decisions and evaluate trade-offs

·      Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including development of executive-ready materials and presentations

·      Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, delivery-focused consulting environment

·      Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams and deliverables

·      Experience managing external consultants, Owner’s Engineers, or EPC interfaces  

·      Experience supporting large-scale generation, industrial, or infrastructure projects

·      PMP or similar certification in project management is preferred