Chief Development Officer

Chief Development Officer

Houston, Texas

Client is a Houston-based power company, PE backed. to address a critical challenge facing the U.S. data center industry: the inability of traditional power infrastructure to keep pace with explosive AI-driven demand.

The company develops, builds, owns, and operates customized power infrastructure for data centers, delivering firm, on-site generation aligned with the speed, scale, and reliability demands of modern hyperscale and AI-driven facilities.

Client is led by a highly experienced management team, each with 20 years of expertise across global power infrastructure. Their capabilities span gas-fired generation, renewables, battery storage, and fuel cells, enabling tailored, site-specific solutions.

The Opportunity

My client is seeking an exceptional Chief Development Officer to lead the development of a gigawatt-scale portfolio of greenfield power projects across U.S. ISO markets.

This is a rare opportunity to:

• Build and lead the development function from the ground up
• Operate at the intersection of AI-driven data center demand and next-generation power infrastructure
• Work directly with executive leadership to define and execute technical strategy

As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will coordinate external partners while building an internal team capable of delivering firm, dispatchable power solutions ahead of traditional grid timelines.

Position Overview

The Chief Development Officer will serve as the technical and commercial leader for all aspects of project development, from early-stage feasibility through to construction readiness and contract execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all technical aspects of gigawatt-scale power project development, including feasibility, interconnection strategy, permitting, and procurement planning
• Manage interconnection processes across U.S. ISOs/RTOs, including queue strategy, studies, and utility coordination
• Direct federal, state, and local permitting, including environmental and air quality approvals
• Coordinate with external partners across engineering, development, and power system design
• Work closely with hyperscalers and data center operators to meet Tier III/IV reliability standards
• Develop procurement strategies for generation equipment, BESS, and balance-of-plant systems
• Build and lead a high-performing internal development team
• Support commercial negotiations, including LOIs, PPAs, and project financing discussions
• Establish scalable development processes, standards, and best practices

Required Qualifications

Power Development Experience

• 15 years of experience in U.S. power project development
• Strong background in dispatchable generation (gas, combined cycle, simple cycle, engines, fuel cells)
• Proven track record delivering large-scale projects from greenfield through COD
• Deep experience with ISO/RTO interconnection processes
• Strong permitting expertise across federal, state, and local jurisdictions

Technical Capabilities

• Strong understanding of power generation technologies and plant design
• Experience with substations, grid interconnection, and fuel systems - Thermal Power
• Familiarity with battery storage and hybrid systems
• Ability to translate data center reliability requirements (N 1, 2N, uptime) into technical solutions
• Knowledge of EPC delivery models and procurement processes

Leadership & Commercial Skills

• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams
• Experience working with off-takers (utilities, large power users, industrial clients)
• Strong project delivery and commercial acumen
• Excellent communication with executives, investors, and regulators
• Comfortable operating in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting mission-critical or data center power solutions
• Background in IPP or private equity-backed infrastructure platforms
• Exposure to project finance and PPA structuring
• Engineering degree (Electrical/Mechanical preferred); PE a plus
• Experience with repowering, brownfield, or conversion projects

What We Offer

• Platform-building opportunity at a high-growth power infrastructure company
• Backing from a leading infrastructure investor
• Leadership role delivering gigawatt-scale projects supporting AI and data center growth
• Competitive compensation, bonus, and equity participation
• Access to top-tier partners across engineering, development, and manufacturing
• Entrepreneurial environment with direct executive exposure and autonomy

Location

Houston, Texas (Headquarters)