Wind Development Manager

The Opportunity:

Imagine the agility of a startup — with the financial backing and global infrastructure of one of the world's largest conglomerates.

That's exactly what this is.

A fast-growing renewable energy division, backed by a Fortune Global 500-level organization with operations across 47 countries, is building out its US wind development team. Their US renewable energy team is roughly 50 people today — with a clear roadmap to scale significantly over the next 5 years. This is the kind of role where you're not a cog in a machine. You're one of the key people building the machine.

If you're a self-starter who thrives in ambiguity, takes ownership, and wants to grow with something — not just into something — keep reading.

The Role:

Wind Development Manager
Location: Houston, TX (Onsite — this team works together, not remotely)
Level: Manager to Senior Manager (3–10+ years of experience considered)
Total Compensation: Up to $214,200 broken down as follows:
* Base salary up to $180,000 DOE
* Annual bonus up to 10 weeks' salary
* 401K
* PTO
* Full benefits
Relocation assistance available for the right candidate

You will be the wind development lead for the South region, with primary focus on Texas — West Texas and the Panhandle. You'll own the full development lifecycle from early-stage site screening all the way through NTP, with real authority and real accountability.

This is a focused wind role for someone who knows Texas, knows the turbines, and knows how to get a project through the ground.

What You'll Own:

Site Identification & Early Screening

• Identify and evaluate wind project sites across Texas, with focus on West Texas and the Panhandle
• Conduct resource screening using wind atlas data and publicly available datasets; manage met tower installation planning as needed
• Execute early-stage fatal flaw analysis: FAA airspace conflicts, DoD radar zones, USFWS eagle territories, transmission proximity, and county zoning restrictions
• Build and maintain a prioritized site pipeline with clear go/no-go criteria

Land & Site Control

• Lead landowner outreach and negotiate wind option and lease agreements across multi-parcel portfolios
• Coordinate with legal counsel on title searches, ALTA/boundary surveys, and easement structuring
• Manage Road Use Agreement (RUA) negotiations and oversized/overweight haul route planning with county authorities

Regulatory Permitting & Environmental

• Lead FAA Obstruction Evaluation filings (Form 7460-1) for all turbine locations; manage iterative layout submissions and obstruction lighting strategies
• Navigate the DoD/FAA Clearing House process; proactively engage military installations on radar interference screening
• Oversee the Eagle Incidental Take Permit (ITP) process — Tier 1/2 determination, avian/bat pre-construction monitoring design, and USFWS coordination
• Manage NEPA reviews where federal nexus exists; coordinate ESA Section 7/10 and Section 106 (NHPA) cultural resource reviews
• Secure Texas TPDES Construction General Permit and manage stormwater coordination
• Engage county commissioners on conditional use permits, setback variances, and decommissioning bond requirements

ERCOT Interconnection

• Prepare and submit Large Generation Interconnection Requests (INR) to ERCOT; track projects through Feasibility, System Impact, and Facilities studies
• Monitor and manage Network Upgrade cost allocations; develop contingency strategies for curtailment risk based on nodal position
• Stay current on ERCOT transmission planning cycles and congestion zones relevant to siting decisions

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and execute community engagement plans addressing wind-specific concerns: shadow flicker, noise, visual impact, and wildlife
• Facilitate public meetings, landowner groups, and county commissioner engagement; get ahead of opposition before it escalates
• Maintain active relationships with local economic development offices, county officials, and state-level regulatory contacts

HQ Communication & Internal Collaboration

• Deliver regular, structured project updates to HQ — with clear risk flags, decision points, and recommended actions
• Proactively surface development bottlenecks early, with proposed solutions — not just problem statements
• Contribute to internal wind-specific processes, checklists, and training materials based on your project experience
• Collaborate cross-functionally with finance, legal, and construction teams to keep development deliverables aligned with downstream milestones
  

What You Bring:

Required:

• 3–10+ years of direct, hands-on US utility-scale wind project development
• At least 2 projects advanced through NTP or into construction
• Demonstrated experience with FAA Obstruction Evaluation (7460-1) filings and turbine layout strategy in constrained airspace
• Direct experience navigating the DoD/FAA Clearing House process and military radar interference screening
• Working knowledge of the USFWS Eagle ITP process — Tier 1/2 determination, pre-construction monitoring protocols, and USFWS negotiation
• Solid familiarity with ERCOT Large Generation Interconnection procedures and the Texas transmission landscape
• Proven track record negotiating wind lease and option agreements, including multi-parcel portfolio management
• Deep understanding of Texas' regulatory environment — no statewide zoning, county-by-county variance approach
• Strong written and verbal communication in English; ability to produce clear, decision-ready memos and status reports for senior and international management

Preferred:

• Experience managing wind resource assessment campaigns — met tower installation, data QA/QC, and WRA report review
• Prior experience within an international developer or company with an overseas HQ; comfortable with cross-cultural communication and reporting cadences
• Proficiency in GIS-based site screening tools (ArcGIS, QGIS) and wind resource modeling platforms (Windographer, OpenWind, or similar)
• Existing relationships with Texas landowners, county officials, and ERCOT stakeholders in key development regions
• Experience with NEPA EA/EIS processes and federal land coordination (BLM, USFS)
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Energy Policy, or a related field
  

Why This Role?

• Big company stability. Startup energy. This team is small, lean, and moves fast — but backed by a massive global organization. Your work matters here.
• Grow with the team. The renewable energy division has serious growth plans.
• Your expertise is valued. The team needs someone who can own the wind vertical and be a trusted voice — not just execute tasks.
• Competitive comp package: Up to $214,200 + full health coverage + 401(k) + PTO + relocation assistance

This search is being managed exclusively by The Talent Mine. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly for a confidential conversation.