Research and Development Director jobs in Albany, NY

New York is leading the nation in the fight on global climate change and the transition to a clean energy-powered economy. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) has created the most aggressive climate change goals in the nation and requires an ambitious agenda that blends proven catalysts with innovative approaches while operating across a broader energy arena that is rapidly evolving. New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a driving force in realizing this agenda. NYSERDA works with stakeholders that span residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, universities, utilities, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, to develop, invest, and foster conditions that:

• Attract the private sector capital investment needed to expand New York’s clean energy economy.
• Overcome barriers to using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.
• Enable New York’s communities and residents to benefit equitably from energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Job Overview

NYSERDA’s Offshore Wind Team is leading the coordination of offshore wind opportunities in New York State and is supporting the development of at least 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035 in a responsible and cost-effective manner. With more than 4,300 megawatts in active development and a steady cadence of procurements to grow the portfolio, New York is building an offshore wind supply chain that will create more than 10,000 jobs in manufacturing, installation, and operation of offshore wind facilities, capitalizing on a regional commitment to scale the resource. These jobs are expected to support New York wind farms as well as regional projects and many will provide sustained career opportunities for New Yorkers for the duration of a project’s useful life, projected at 25 years and beyond.

NYSERDA seeks to add an Assistant Director of Offshore Wind to join NYSERDA’s Large-Scale Renewables Team to help lead the growing and impactful Offshore Wind program. Areas of focus for the Offshore Wind Team include procurement and management of offshore wind contracts, development of a durable offshore wind supply chain in New York and the U.S., development of the State’s workforce to support the supply chain, planning and support for offshore wind related transmission development, support and monitoring of State and federal regulatory processes, long-range planning, environmental and fisheries research, and stakeholder and public engagement. The Assistant Director of Offshore Wind will report to the Director of Offshore Wind and will provide support for and potentially manage a portion of the approximately 12-member Team.

The Assistant Director of Offshore Wind will help lead an important and highly visible program that includes the competitive procurement of new strategic projects, rigorous contract management of the growing portfolio of contracted projects and driving workforce development and economic development including manufacturing and port infrastructure investments to ensure New York maintains its position as the nation’s hub for offshore wind. The Assistant Director of Offshore Wind is also responsible for supporting the regulatory and diverse inter-governmental engagements required to support New York’s offshore wind industry’s responsible and cost-effective growth including support of New York’s growing list of offshore wind Technical Working Groups (TWGs), leading relevant research projects to support program innovation, and extensive proactive stakeholder engagement, media engagement and public speaking. These efforts should support the Offshore Wind program’s implementation with a focus on NYSERDA’s role as the central procurement entity of offshore wind renewable energy certificates (ORECs) on behalf of State’s load-serving entities and a clear focus on promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity within the program’s activities consistent with the work of New York State’s Climate Action Council and New York’s nation-leading Climate Act.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support and provide leadership for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the State’s offshore wind policy development efforts and work with other involved agencies and stakeholders to ensure that such efforts are advanced through a balanced and timely framework
• Support financial and operational matters relating to the offshore wind portfolio and team, totaling over $10 billion in commitments, and growing
• Coordinate a cross-functional teams and workstreams across different NYSERDA departments
• Contribute to aspects of the State’s strategic decision making and renewable policy development and provide input regarding the impact, costs, stakeholder needs, policy alignment, and potential market impacts of such decisions
• Drive initiatives and policies forward by gathering and effectively organizing required information, communicating effectively and professionally with internal and external stakeholders, developing, and monitoring progress, and overseeing the responsibilities and commitments of the team members
• Collaborate with members of the Large-Scale Renewables team and others across the state to implement these policies in an efficient and informed manner which is consistent with policy objectives
• Impart a deep and broad base of technical and market knowledge regarding offshore wind development into State deliberations in order to shape State programs in a market-sensitive manner
• Support and provide leadership for the offshore wind program’s key focus areas including competitive procurements; contract management; workforce development; economic development including manufacturing and port infrastructure investments; support of New York’s four offshore wind Technical Working Groups (TWGs); leading relevant research projects; long-range planning, and extensive proactive stakeholder engagement, media engagement and public speaking
• Help maintain productive working relationships with related management and staff at the New York State Department of Public Service, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of State, New York Independent System Operator, federal partners at the Department of Energy, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and others, offshore wind owners and developers, transmission owners and developers, and interested stakeholders in order to expand the efficacy of processes and ultimate policies
• Drive projects and policies forward by gathering and effectively organizing required information, communicating effectively and professionally with internal and external stakeholders, developing, and monitoring plans, and overseeing the responsibilities and commitments of the team members
• Represent NYSERDA in collaborative initiatives with other NYS agencies and public and private entities and in technical conferences, public meetings, and other forums
• Perform other responsibilities as needed

Minimum Qualifications

• 10 years of industry experience with large-scale renewable policy and/or project development, procurement, financing, supply chain, construction, or similar
• Bachelor's degree
• Genuine passion for matters relating to energy and the environment and an interest in supporting a dynamic and talented team
• Project management and leadership skills including the ability to work as a team leader and team member, maintain project timelines, budgets, and deliver on commitments
• Highest level of communication and interpersonal skills involving the ability to work cross-functionally to understand requirements, present alternatives and recommendations and engage productively on controversial topics
• Self-starter who acts independently, directs one’s own work and can handle diverse tasks quickly and accurately within a high-performance environment

Preferences

• Knowledge of energy markets and systems, renewable energy technology and associated infrastructure
• Experienced in mentoring staff to improve performance and job satisfaction
• Experienced in renewable energy project development or renewable energy finance, utility operations or supply chain development, ideally with experience relating to offshore wind
• Strong stakeholder outreach and engagement capabilities including advanced public speaking and presentation skills

Salary

Candidates will be considered based on qualifications and experience. Salary range is $129,566 - $163,695. An excellent benefits package is offered.

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How To Apply

Please submit one file for the Assistant Director, Offshore Wind, job# 804, that includes both your cover letter and resume. NYSERDA is exclusively working with a recruitment partner who will be responsible for the initial screening of the resumes for this position.