Director, Powered Land Origination

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.

Industry: Utility-Scale Renewable Energy

Location:

U.S.

Job Type: Remote lFull-Time | Permanent

Role

Reports To:

Chief Commercial Officer

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.

• 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.

• 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…