Director of MISO

About the Role

Job Title: Director of Project Development (MISO)
Industry: Renewable Energy – Solar, Wind, and Battery Storage
Location: Remote (preference for candidates within MISO)
Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Reports to: Head of Project Development

Mission

At Zelestra, we are on a mission to change the world by making decarbonization a reality for our partners. As a client-focused, multi-technology, global renewable energy company, we work tirelessly to do things right, to push ourselves and our clients further, and to get results that matter. With a key emphasis on innovation and collaboration, Zelestra is committed to helping customers, communities, and stakeholders through tailored solutions, local employment, and strong sustainability. With more than two decades of experience working in 13 countries, Zelestra is a trusted partner with proven capabilities in providing efficient, competitive, carbon-free solutions. With a portfolio of 20 GW of carbon-free projects across 13 countries, Zelestra is a vertically integrated company specializing in developing, constructing, commercializing, and operating large-scale renewable energy projects. Zelestra is made up of 800+ professionals globally. It is backed by EQT, one of the largest fund managers in the world, with $232B in assets under management.

Role Overview

The Director of Project Development (MISO) will lead Zelestra’s project development strategy and execution across the MISO footprint. This senior leadership role is responsible for managing a team of developers and driving projects from early-to-late stage development through construction readiness. The Director will be accountable for overcoming the unique challenges of MISO development—particularly in permitting, land entitlements, interconnection, and community engagement—while leading a high-performing development organization.

Role Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, environmental studies, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of renewable energy project development experience, with a proven track record advancing multiple projects to NTP or COD.
• Strong leadership and team management experience, with success mentoring and growing development teams.
• Deep familiarity with MISO development, including interconnection, permitting, real estate, and mineral/title complexities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience managing community relations and addressing permitting challenges.
• Financial acumen, with ability to structure and evaluate project economics and risks.
• Highly organized, adaptive, and effective in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Willingness to travel 30% as needed.

Role Responsibility

Leadership & Team Management

• Build, mentor, and lead a team of project developers and associates; foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Set development strategy and milestones for the MISO portfolio, ensuring alignment with Zelestra’s Corporate and US-Business Unit goals.
• Provide executive-level reporting on progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.

Project Development Execution

• Oversee all aspects of utility-scale solar and storage development within MISO, including land/title/mineral rights, permitting, environmental studies, and interconnection.
• Manage relationships with MISO, transmission providers, and utilities to navigate interconnection complexities and secure deliverability.
• Direct site control efforts, resolving complex land ownership, title, and mineral estate challenges.
• Lead permitting strategy at local, state, and federal levels, ensuring compliance and proactively addressing opposition or moratoriums.
• Engage with communities, landowners, and public stakeholders to build trust and minimize development risk.

Commercial & Strategic Alignment

• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, and Engineering to align project design, terms, financing, and manage budgets, schedules, and performance metrics.
• Guide portfolio strategy by tracking MISO trends and supporting origination to ensure projects meet customer and corporate needs.

Apply Today!