Director, Powered Land Origination

Join Zelestra: Powering a Carbon-Free Future

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 the 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.

Position Snapshot

Industry:  Utility-Scale Renewable Energy
Location: U.S.
Job Type: Remote l Full-Time | Permanent
Role Reports To: Chief Commercial Officer

Position Summary

Build and lead Zelestra’s US powered land development business. The Director, Powered Land Origination is responsible for screening, securing and developing large-scale sites in SPP, ERCOT and MISO where on-site wind, solar and battery storage can power a substantial portion of data center load. Sites may be islanded or grid connected, based on project strategy. The Director starts with initial strategic screening to find areas of interest, and from there manages the opportunity from development to sale as powered land to data center developers and hyperscalers, with Zelestra retaining long-term ownership and operation of the energy assets. Working in close partnership with Development, Engineering, Commercial analytics and Legal, the Director turns Zelestra’s renewable development capability into a repeatable, measurable pipeline of de-risked, customer-ready data center sites.

Position Qualifications

• 10–12 years of experience in utility-scale renewable energy development and/or data center site selection and development – at an IPP or renewable developer, data center developer, hyperscaler, or site-selection/real estate advisory firm.
• Two backgrounds fit this role: renewable development professionals with meaningful data center or large-load exposure, and data center site-selection professionals with meaningful energy development exposure. The ideal candidate brings both.
• Proven track record originating and closing infrastructure development transactions: options, leases, purchase agreements, ground leases or site sales.
• Working knowledge of SPP, ERCOT and MISO and of the utility, cooperative and state regulatory frameworks that govern large loads (retail service territory, third-party sales, behind-the-meter and islanded supply, large-load interconnection).
• Familiarity with wind and solar resource assessment and battery storage, and with how hourly generation profiles translate into load-serving capability; able to work with analytical and engineering colleagues to specify and interpret site screening and energy modeling.
• Experience with local permitting, zoning and entitlement, and with community and economic development engagement in rural counties.
• Willingness to travel up to 40% and personally lead negotiations in the field in a lean-team environment; this is a hands-on originator role, not a portfolio-management role.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, real estate, finance, economics, or related field; MBA or advanced degree a plus.

Position Responsibilities

• Own the powered land pipeline: originate, screen and rank sites across SPP, ERCOT and MISO against target criteria.
• Secure site control: set the land strategy and direct land team to secure desired acreage.
• Lead early data center development to a customer-ready powered land package: zoning and entitlement, county and state approvals, water and fiber access, gas infrastructure for reliability, and the permitting pathway, coordinated with Development and Engineering on the co-located wind, solar and BESS layout.
• Lead the regulatory and utility strategy for each site: assess state rules on retail service territory, third-party power sales and islanded or behind-the-meter supply; engage utilities, cooperatives and RTOs on large-load interconnection as an optional later grid connection.
• Lead customer origination and product development: build relationships with hyperscalers, data center developers and colocation operators; translate their site requirements into Zelestra’s screening criteria and develop the powered land product accordingly.
• Negotiate site sale or lease arrangements to commercialize the powered land complex, including the long-term energy supply arrangements under which Zelestra owns and operates the renewable energy assets.
• Lead community, landowner, county and state engagement, including economic development incentives (tax abatements, development agreements) and proactive management of local opposition risk.
• Act as owner of and design digital and AI toolkit to support the development and commercialization process, including resource and infrastructure maps, hourly (8760) simulations of how much data center load wind, solar and storage can serve, and cost-to-serve estimates, etc.
• Own the business case and stage-gates for each site (screening, site control, entitlement, sale): development budgets, timelines, risk registers and expected returns, presented to Investment Committee.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this role is $200,000 - $315,000 annual plus a competitive bonus structure. Actual pay will vary depending on job-related factors, such as the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Zelestra offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer Contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life insurance
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Retirement savings benefits