Job Description:

Copia is seeking a Director, Development to lead the development of Copia's renewable energy and data center project portfolio, guiding projects from early-stage site identification through late-stage commercialization, financing, and handoff to construction. This role sits at the intersection of power and digital infrastructure, requiring creative solutions to deliver energy for both traditional solar and storage projects and large-scale AI and hyperscale data centers in constrained markets.

The ideal candidate will be responsible forleading site identification and evaluation, land negotiations and real estate agreements, permitting and entitlements, power and interconnection strategy, utility engagement, and energy markets across a portfolio of projects ranging from utility-scale generation to 100MW to 300MW+ data center loads by phase. This role requires 10+ years of experience in renewable energy and/or large-scale data center infrastructure development, deep expertise navigating land, permitting, interconnection, and energy markets, and exceptional decision-making, communication, and influencing skills to align cross-functional teams and external partners toward successful outcomes.

The Director, Development will report directly to the EVP, Chief Development Officer, working closely with Copia’s asset management, energy markets, legal, and finance teams in an individual contributor capacity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of subject matter experts to advance early and late-stage renewable energy and data center projects from site selection through commercial contracting, construction handoff, and project financing
• Manage the development of a portfolio of projects, including budgeting and finances, project timing and planning, risk assessment, and defining priorities based on development metrics and offtake potential
• Coordinate and manage interdisciplinary teams across land negotiations, real estate, engineering, permitting, interconnection, and legal through construction commencement
• Facilitate project discretionary permitting, including permit strategy, stakeholder engagement, and representation with local authorities and public meetings
• Engage with utilities on interconnection, transmission, and power delivery, aligning with Copia's internal generation strategy across solar, storage, and gas
• Support negotiation of critical project agreements, including site control, PPAs, interconnection and load agreements, EPC contracts, and O&M agreements
• Manage due diligence on individual or portfolio acquisitions, partnering with the business development and M&A team to assess project risk, complete valuations, and inform transaction structuring

What We Look For:

• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written correspondence.
• Highly driven with problem-solving abilities, integrity, and strong work ethic.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to work effectively within a rapidly changing organization.
• Demonstrated collaborative partnerships with peers, management, and vendors.
• Resourcefulness and polite persistence.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 10+ years professional experience in renewable energy and/or large-scale data center infrastructure development, including exposure to utilities, interconnection, permitting, contracting, and financing
• Bachelor's degree preferred in finance, engineering, environmental studies, renewable energy, project/construction management, or similar discipline
• Proven experience with Microsoft Office, including advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel
• Experience with project management software and a CRM system
• Ability to work in the Phoenix, AZ office a minimum of 3 days per week
• Ability to travel up to 30%
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship