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Orenda, Inc · 1 day ago

Vice President, Origination

New York, New York, United States

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$250K/yr - $300K/yr

10+ years exp

Orenda is a dynamic NYC-based startup focused on enhancing the efficiency of the grid through renewable energy projects. The Vice President, Origination will lead early-stage greenfield development efforts, overseeing a high-performing team and ensuring successful project hand-offs to the Execution division.

EnergyEnergy StorageRenewable Energy

Responsibilities

Build organizational capacity by leading, mentoring, and scaling a high-performing team of A-players across the Origination departments

Set clear objectives, develop KPIs, and foster a process-oriented culture of independence, accountability, and high performance

Provide leadership and strategic oversight for all early-stage projects, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and the successful hand-off of quarterly project portfolios, taking full accountability for the site control, interconnection engineering, and site diligence

Ensure the Origination division delivers a consistent volume of de-risked megawatts to the Execution team

Architect and oversee a systematic site acquisition engine

This includes developing proprietary GIS-based prospecting tools, refining a high-conversion 'sales playbook' for closing landowners and ensuring a robust pipeline of qualified leads to drive consistent opportunity

Drive institutional-level partnerships with REITs, industrial portfolio owners, and public agencies

This role is responsible for negotiating complex master agreements and 'programmatic' partnerships that unlock dozens of sites simultaneously, rather than one-off deals

Direct the strategy for utility interconnection applications

Work closely with the engineering team to interpret data, optimize system sizing against constraints, and support in the management of the technical relationship with the utility/ISO to minimize upgrade costs

Standardize the diligence process, including title, environmental, and zoning reviews

Lead the negotiation of complex site control instruments (Ground Leases, Easements, etc.) to ensure long-term project bankability

Act as the primary bridge between Strategy, Origination and Execution

Compile 'Lessons Learned' to refine site selection criteria and work plan implementation, ensuring that feedback from the design and construction phases inform the Origination strategy to reduce future 'attrition' of projects

Compile and analyze lessons learned from the Origination departments into a consolidated quarterly report, identifying key trends and driving actionable recommendations for process and design improvements

Qualification

Renewable energy project developmentBusiness developmentInterconnection engineeringProject managementFinancial literacyLeadership experienceNegotiation skillsGIS-based prospecting toolsSite control instrumentsExternal consultant managementProcess-oriented mindsetPassion for clean energyPositive mindset

Required

Bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, business administration, or a related field

A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in renewable energy project development, with a focus on business development, engineering, or project management

At least 5 years of experience in a direct leadership role, with a proven ability to manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing team

Deep familiarity with NYC-specific complexities of land use, FDNY energy storage requirements, and ConEd's interconnection processes

Ability to understand project finance models and how origination decisions (lease rates, interconnection costs) impact the Project IRR and long-term asset value

Proven ability negotiating and executing ground leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and professional services agreements

Demonstrate experience coordinating and managing external consultants

Experience in a high-growth startup environment, demonstrating a high degree of flexibility and a track record of building new processes from the ground up

Extremely organized, process-oriented, and capable of leading multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment

An ability to translate high-level corporate goals into actionable project plans

A deep passion for clean energy and the company's mission

A positive and solutions-oriented mindset, strong work ethic, and a sense of humor