Vice President, Corporate and Project Development

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow?  A  position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

Position Summary:

The VP of Corporate and Project Development will lead strategic initiatives across four key domains: Corporate Development, Purchased Power, Project Development, and Carbon-Free Technology and Commercialization. This executive will be instrumental in leading generation and other growth investments (e.g. $15-20bn of 5-year generation investment and managing one the industry’s leading project pipelines (10GW+), driving the commercialization of new technologies and innovation, and positioning the utility as a leader in the clean energy transformation while meeting the demands of new load growth.

The following functions will report to the VP:

Corporate Development:  

• Leads and develops the corporate and project development teams responsible for negotiating and executing mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures along with asset project development 
• Leads efforts to evaluate, recommend, and develop strategic growth opportunities in coordination with senior leadership. Responsible for developing and executing asset-level strategies focused on renewable energy (solar, wind, batteries), dispatchable generation, carbon-free technologies (e.g. geothermal, long-duration storage, hydrogen), and other infrastructure investments to enhance long term growth and positioning in the market for the company. 
• Develop and manage a methodology for assessment and review of the business portfolio for financial contribution and strategic fit. Implement and manage a process for the screening and evaluation of business development opportunities and competitive threats

Project Development:

• Leads the strategic planning, development, and execution of utility-scale renewable and dispatchable generation projects. 
• Strategic Leadership: Define and execute the long-term strategy for renewable (wind, solar, storage) , gas and emerging carbon free generation development, aligning with corporate decarbonization goals and integrated resource plans 
• Project Development Oversight: Direct and coordinate all phases of project development including site selection, permitting, interconnection, supply chain selection, scheduling and cost estimating and stakeholder engagement
• Team Management: Lead a multidisciplinary team including project managers, engineers, schedulers, and cost controllers. Oversee organizational design and talent development to support growth and execution capacity 

Purchased Power:

• Direct the management, administration, negotiation, renegotiation, restructuring, acquisition, and on-going operation of long-term purchased power contracts for Xcel Energy's four utility operating companies. Develop purchased power strategies including compliance with currently evolving regulatory and legislative initiatives. Responsible for over $1.5 billion per year of purchased power.

Carbon Free Technology Innovation and Commercialization: 

• Provide strategic leadership of activities related to innovation, demonstration, and commercialization/ scaling of emerging technologies for the utility industry. 
• Lead the team responsible for interactions with external venture capital, business incubators, governmental/non-governmental research groups, and others to identify and prioritize innovative technologies, operational practices, and business innovation strategies that could be applied across Xcel Energy (XE). 
• Collaborate with internal teams and technology providers to pilot, test, scale and/or commercialize technology and implement innovative ideas and business practices. 
• Engage in research, development, deployment, and full implementation of innovative new technologies across all of XE's operating units and jurisdictions to create business value.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in technical or financial field. MBA strongly desired.
• 12-15 or more years of business development, corporate development, utility, regulatory or equivalent experience in finance, strategy development and project development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proven analytical and financial analysis capabilities.
• Strong negotiating skills.
• Capable of integrating technical, managerial, and business judgment.
• Ability to interact effectively with executive level management and the Board of Directors.
• Ability to work well within a team