Director, Business Development

DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The Organization
Grid United is a mission driven company aiming to solve the largest barrier to a cleaner, more reliable grid by developing new, long-haul transmission lines in North America. Grid United is developing utility-scale, multi-jurisdiction electric transmission projects that will deliver long-term economic benefits to communities across the continent, providing North Americans with improved grid resiliency for our homes and businesses, and cost savings for electricity consumers.
More information about the company can be found at >.
The Position
Grid United has numerous large-scale transmission projects underway and is actively identifying and studying the next wave of transformational projects across North America. The Company seeks to augment its leadership with an energetic and experienced Director of Business Development to identify, vet and advance new projects, shaping the future of our portfolio. In this Houston-based role, the Director will collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary group of talented experts. Reporting to the President and Chief Technology Officer, Kris Zadlo, the Director will lead efforts to bring high-impact projects into the Grid United portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Identify new development opportunities that will enhance Grid United's project portfolio; Act as the single point of accountability for the front-end identification of new transmission projects; Create, maintain and manage budgets for new project identification efforts. Lead the identification of development prospects, including market assessments and fatal flaw assessment; Evolve and build upon existing internal frameworks for project vetting and incubation, crystallizing the company's prospecting playbook; Work with a team of diverse experts to understand the drivers of attractive transmission project development opportunities (i.e. market drivers, policy, environmental constraints, etc.); Assess inbound opportunities and determine if they are worth deeper pursuit; while not focused on high-volume cold sales outreach, this role will require strong interpersonal and evaluation skills to shape early-stage ideas into viable projects. Initiate discussions with key stakeholders such as utility customers, landowners, state and local officials, etc.; Represent Grid United in conversations with external partners, customers, and stakeholders; balance strategic vision with pragmatic execution. Build trust and understanding in order to explain benefits of projects and to potential partners and ultimately host communities. Ideal Candidate Description
The Director of Business Development will have a strong track record with large linear infrastructure development and a passion for shaping the future of transformative energy infrastructure. They will be customer-centric, emotionally intelligent, commercially savvy, and technically conversant. They can work independently but also collaboratively, energized by ambiguity and opportunity and be able to rapidly earn credibility and trust among stakeholder groups.
They should have the experience—or demonstrated ability—to quickly identify fatal flaws in complex, early-stage infrastructure prospects and shape them into viable opportunities. They will not view business development as a traditional sales function, but rather as a process of strategic trust-building, opportunity shaping, and rigorous vetting—recognizing patterns and themes and leveraging them to create new projects additive to the portfolio.
Adaptive and inventive with an entrepreneurial mindset, the successful candidate will enjoy the ground floor "builder" aspect of this role in an early-stage, high growth and mission driven company – and will thrive in the looser structure of a small company undergoing rapid growth.
Desired Experience and Skills:
An undergraduate degree is required. Advanced degree helpful, but not required. A minimum of 10 years of experience ideally in transmission development and/or in development roles for large-scale linear infrastructure projects. Articulate speaker and persuasive communicator with the ability to lead public presentations. Strong organizational skills and ability to meet frequently changing deadlines in a rapidly changing environment. Knowledge of local, state, provincial and federal requirements for permitting. Strong business acumen and demonstrated success in contributing to business results. A strategic leader who operates with integrity and can influence without authority. Presence to represent the company credibly with communities, government officials, landowners, and other external stakeholders. Superior negotiation and conflict management skills. Ability to work well under pressure with strong organizational, analytical and decision-making skills. Comfort with and ability to navigate ambiguity. High energy and initiative. Advanced written and oral communication skills. Strong computer and internet skills are expected, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Ability to travel on short notice as necessary. What the Right Candidate Will Love about this Opportunity:
An organization dedicated to unlocking the Rubik's cube of high voltage transmission development in a fast paced, dynamic, and innovative culture. Working with a core group of ethical, dedicated, and thoughtful colleagues. Working on a day-to-day basis with highly experienced and proven industry leaders. Being empowered to lead large-scale projects that will materially change the energy future of North America. Working in an organization committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and having a positive social impact. Excellent financial backing from leading energy investor with long-term commitment, passion for energy, and an understanding and appetite to tackle the challenges of transmission development. Ground floor opportunity to contribute to building the systems which will underpin Grid United's long-term growth. Shaping new solutions to navigate the interplay between the evolving energy mix and the need for more high voltage long distance transmission.