Sr. Manager, Transmission & Interconnection- West Region

RWE Americas, LLC
To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent

Functional area: Project Management; Engineering; Process Management
Remuneration: Exempt

The Senior Manager of Transmission & Interconnection will be responsible for driving transmission and interconnection solutions in support of RWE America’s development portfolio of generation projects primarily in the WECC (including SPP RTO and other developing markets) transmission markets but also support in CAISO market. 

The Senior Manager of Transmission & Interconnection will drive interconnection efforts working with multiple internal and external stakeholders including the ISOs, utilities, FERC, state agencies, and internal development teams. S/he will also be responsible for managing utility scale generation projects to drive the successful completion of interconnection requests through the regulatory and commercial environment and coordinating with internal stakeholders including RWE’s Transmission Analysis organization.

Role Responsibilities: 

• Manage a pipeline of 10 GW plus of wind, solar and battery energy generator interconnection along with load interconnection projects throughout the lifecycle of the ISO and transmission owner interconnection processes
• Work closely with RWE’s transmission analytics, development and other relevant teams to shepherd projects through the interconnection process to achieve best cost and schedule, while tracking timelines, milestone requirements, and effectively communicating and managing project risks and opportunities
• Manage interconnection processes including initial application submittals, major milestones, interconnection agreement negotiation, material modification packages, and interconnection management through project commercial operation date
• Manage interconnection milestones and financial tracking. Effectively forecasting and communicating project commitments and at-risk amounts for portfolio projects
• Negotiate large generator interconnection agreements bringing together internal stakeholders to negotiate optimal schedules and terms for projects
• Attend transmission owner project management meetings representing RWE to ensure cost and schedule are being maintained
• Drive creative problem solving with transmission owners and ISOs bringing together internal RWE resources and stakeholders
• Assist Development, Energy Marketing, Commercial, Regulatory, Construction, Engineering, Operations, and Compliance teams with multiple aspects of project development, design, and operation
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of current and developing regulations within the different regional ISO/RTOs to create opportunities and mitigate obstacles for RWE
• Track and drive policy developments and opportunities to best capitalize on target markets, partners, and strategies
• Develop regional transmission and interconnection strategy for potential future opportunities such as new project interconnection, transmission service, and behind the meter arrangements
• Build visibility and the reputation of the company through conference attendance and stakeholder engagement
• Mentor and coach junior staff

Job Requirements and Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, STEM, business/economics, or relevant fields required
• Advanced degrees are a plus
• A minimum of 10 years of experience and 7 years specialized in commercial and regulated energy markets, driving projects to completion, and interacting with various counterparties (project developers, IPPs, utilities, regulatory agencies, and others)
• Background in transmission planning or transmission utility scale engineering and project management or execution strongly preferred
• Experience with transmission planning analysis and software preferred
• Demonstrated track record of securing interconnection approvals for renewable energy projects in the United States across a mix of RSO/ITOs regions
• Broad experience within the utility/power development space, including:
• Securing interconnection rights, transmission capacity, federal, state and local regulatory approvals
• Navigating the RSO/ITO process to avoid obstacles and position RWE for approvals
• Transmission and commercial analysis including knowledge of