Project Developer

Company Description  

Compass Greenfield Development ("CGD") is a renewable and clean energy developer, investor and asset manager working across Canada. 

We have operating and contracted assets in Ontario and Saskatchewan and are actively developing additional projects. 

CGD was born out of Compass Renewable Energy Consulting Inc. a regulatory, strategic and technical advisory firm working across the North American renewable and clean energy markets since 2011. 

CGD leverages our consulting DNA, implementing a proven process, to identify and advance greenfield development opportunities for solar and battery energy storage. We have the benefit of a long-term, strategic perspective coupled with on the ground experience in doing the doing that results in projects getting to commercial operation, at which point all of our stakeholder’s benefit including landowners, municipalities, Indigenous partners, investors and the public at large. 

At our core CGD believes in the importance of facilitating the energy transition to a clean energy future and takes pride in being at the front lines of working with government, landowners, Indigenous Partners and community organizations in making it a reality. 

Although CGD is a small, privately owned firm, we have been successful at winning contracts in Ontario (2017), in Saskatchewan (2020, 2021) and more recently in the last two battery procurements in Ontario (2023 and 2024) and will be building upon this success in Ontario and across Canada.  

Come join a growing company and help us to continue to punch above our weight. 

Typical Day  

At CGD, your daily activities will be interfacing with a small team to advance solar and BESS projects across Canada from site acquisition through to contract award. Your responsibilities will consist of screening and identifying potential locations, engaging with landowners, leading lease negotiations, managing local municipal stakeholders, attending and representing CGD at municipal meetings, while ensuring overall project development activities align with various energy market procurement goals and requirements. 

Job Description  

Under the direction of the Senior Director, Development and in collaboration with the other members of our team, the Project Developer will identify project sites, secure land and obtain municipal support for solar and BESS projects prior to submitting them into competitive procurements.   

With this role, we are seeking a Project Developer with three to five years of experience with a demonstrated track record of successful project management of all land, environmental, permitting, and stakeholder management up to the point of a contract award. Knowledge of resource assessment, initial engineering and grid connection activities of renewable energy projects an asset. 

This role will be accountable for progressing and problem-solving project development activities, while coordinating with a small team of subject matter experts, prior to hand off to our project execution team.   

In general, your main responsibility will be  pre- contract activities with the ability to assist post contract activities on an as needed basis

Responsibilities

Pre-Contract Responsibilities:  

Origination / Site Acquisition  

• Developing and prioritizing lease screening criteria subject to regional market and procurement rules 
• Interface with landowners, municipal councillors and staff with the goal of acquiring land and support from local municipalities 
• Incorporating solar and BESS construction and design constraints, you will lead and negotiate land leases with private landowners.  
• Plan for cost effective interconnection between the project and the power grid 
• Provide status reports on ongoing land negotiations and prospecting sites 

Engagement and Permitting  

• Obtain the social acceptance of projects in building and maintaining community support;   
• Lead / support the following types of consultation / engagement: 
• Municipal (support/lead) 
• Neighbour (support/lead) 
• Indigenous Communities (support / lead) 
• Manage third party environmental, municipal and regulatory consultants (as required) in assessing a potential projects feasibility 
• Support partnership negotiations with Indigenous communities and other developers 

Planning, Budgeting, Management  

• Support the identification, and prioritization of development opportunities across Canada for solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems (“BESS”) that meet our screening requirements 
• Support project reporting and the development of schedules, preparation and management of development budgets and cost tracking for all development activities 
• Lead meetings as necessary and coordinate associated tasks of multidisciplinary project team members 
• Manage expectations and ensure alignment between stakeholders regarding project objectives, milestones, and deliverables;  
• identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize potential impacts on project delivery;  
• Provide inputs to project planning tools to ensure post lease activities remain on track for procurement submissions 

Desired Experience and Expertise:  

• 3-5  years of experience in the renewable energy development in Canada, across multiple areas of the pre-and post-contract award development process / lifecycle 
• In depth understanding of the key success factors to renewable energy development as a large- and small-scale developer 
• Broad knowledge of the various technical (i.e. civil/structural, geotechnical, electrical, etc.) and commercial aspects of the renewable energy development (i.e. energy payments, capital and construction costs, power purchase contracts, interconnection issues, EPC/Solar Panel Agreements, understanding of permitting (municipal, provincial, federal), partnership agreements,  etc.), 
• Ability to contribute to improved and streamlined business processes  
• Proficient with Google Earth and / or other GIS software an asset 
• Demonstrable prior success driving development processes and procedures (i.e. site identification, site acquisition, environmental, permitting, interconnection and transmission, finance, and consultation), development timelines, and the stakeholders involved in successful project development;   
• A degree (or equivalent) in an environmental, engineering, science or commerce degree with excellent project management skills. A PMP designation being an asset 
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision where you will have to juggle / manage multiple objectives simultaneously 
• Strong attention to detail 
• Strong communicator both written and verbal 
• Ability to manage both up and down in an organization 
• Bilingualism (French and English, written and spoken) is an asset   
• Valid driver’s license  
• Ability to travel within Canada to and meet with all project stakeholders. 

Work Environment  

CGD offices are in downtown Toronto at CSI Spadina. The CSI Spadina Office Space  

( boasts a fun, inclusive atmosphere where you will be able to expand your network with likely minded individuals. This role will be flexible with up to 4 days a week from home, but requires one to two days per week in the office (or more if preferred).  

This role will require travel to site around ON and other Canadian markets. Access to a vehicle is also a strong asset. 

Why Work for Compass?  

• Mission driven. Compass Greenfield Development was founded to advance the role of renewable and clean energy in support of an electrified and decarbonized energy system. We support decarbonization through distributed and utility scale engineering and development. 
• Diverse and exciting scope of work. Opportunities to learn about diverse activities across the renewable and clean energy development lifecycle. 
• Continuous training and skills improvement  
• Career advancement opportunities. Compass is a growing company with opportunities for learning across different parts of the development lifecycle. 
• Competitive wages 
• Health benefits and wellness  
• Supportive and diverse company culture 

Compensation  

This position will include a base salary as well as an annual performance bonus.  

Compass provides health insurance coverage and a telephone allowance.