Project Development Manager

SUMMARY 

We are seeking a dedicated Project Development Manager (PDM) to lead initiatives in power generation and datacenter infrastructure development. This position suits a strategic leader who excels in complex, cross-functional environments to drive potential projects that advance sustainable energy and HPC/AI or Bitcoin computing efficiencies.  

The role operates in a dynamic setting with options for remote work and will report to SVP of Datacenter Operations. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

This person will lead the front-end development of energy, data center, and bitcoin mining projects, overseeing the progression from early-stage planning through FEL2. This role is also responsible for coordinating cross-functional efforts including engineering, permitting, site evaluation, commercial strategy, and interconnection analysis across multiple geographically dispersed sites. Working closely with department heads in origination, investment strategy, trading, regulatory, legal, finance, and operations, the manager ensures integrated execution, risk mitigation, and alignment with organizational goals. The ultimate objective is to deliver decision-ready packages that enable scalable multi-MW infrastructure development while accelerating timelines in dynamic market conditions. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

• Lead End-to-End Development Planning: Coordinate with department heads to plan and execute energy and data center development, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, budgets, and timelines. 
• Manage Land & Asset Acquisition: Oversee acquisition of land and generation assets and support data center site development, leveraging input from origination and legal teams. 
• Drive FEL 1 Execution & Project Management: Lead feasibility-phase (FEL 1) development for co-located power and data center assets, managing consultants, milestones, and risk mitigation strategies. 
• Facilitate Cross-Functional Collaboration: Organize interdepartmental coordination (investment, regulatory, engineering, operations, legal, etc.) to align objectives, resolve bottlenecks, and ensure timely decision-making. 
• Oversee Technology & Cost Evaluations: Support analysis of generation and computer technologies, assessing trade-offs in performance, reliability, and cost, and contribute to lifecycle and ROI modeling. 
• Evaluate Site & Infrastructure Readiness: Lead site selection and evaluate fuel access, grid connectivity, logistics, and regional construction feasibility for proposed locations. 
• Support Project Finance requirements: Coordinate with Investment lead and lenders for technical, commercial and financing requirements from inception to construction completion. 
• Guide Budgeting & Financial Controls: Work closely with finance to allocate resources, monitor expenditures, and ensure adherence to project budgets across acquisition, procurement, and construction phases. 
• Coordinate Permitting & Regulatory Strategy: Manage early-stage permitting roadmaps, including environmental, air, and zoning requirements, in collaboration with legal teams and external advisors and represent the company in regulatory and permitting hearings as required. Experience with representing companies in front of regulatory hearings regarding power projects would be a major asset and key differentiator for MARA. 
• Support Grid Integration & Commercial Viability: Assist with interconnection planning, dispatch strategy, and dual-use configurations to ensure grid compliance and optimize merchant market opportunities. 
• Lead contractual close out and resolutions: Coordinate with legal regarding commercial arbitration and legal issues (if any) linked to the respective projects. 
• Reporting & Recommendations: Support preparation of investment decision packages, and strategic updates that communicate key findings, risks, and progress. 
• Potential travel up to 40% of the time.  

QUALIFICATIONS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Energy Systems, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree is a plus. 
• Minimum 6-8 years of relevant development experience in the power generation or data center industry, with a proven track record of leading early-stage development efforts. 
• Demonstrated expertise in site development, including land acquisition, navigating regulatory frameworks, managing interconnection processes across multiple ISOs, negotiating Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), understanding taxation implications, and overseeing environmental permitting. 
• Direct experience in engaging with regulatory bodies and permitting authorities, including local, state, and federal agencies. 
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Jira, Smartsheet, MS Project), with a strong command of Gantt charts, resource planning, and schedule tracking. 
• Solid foundational knowledge of power generation technologies (e.g., gas turbines, reciprocating engines) and/or data center infrastructure, including operational requirements. 
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to support tasks such as energy forecasting, trading strategy input, and operational planning, ensuring project alignment with timelines and objectives. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Demonstrated commitment to ethical practices in emerging technologies and collaborative, transparent leadership. 
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to engage and align diverse internal and external stakeholders. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities; able to navigate ambiguity and drive clarity in fast-paced, complex environments. 
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to motivate, coordinate, and guide cross-functional teams toward shared development milestones. 
• Energy Infrastructure Project Finance credit and lender expertise is highly valued. 
• Experience with Contract Management for EPC, O&M, equipment supply, LTSA, and consultants on large power projects. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, or equivalent formal project management training, is strongly preferred. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 

Success in this role will be measured against specific, quantifiable metrics that reflect project efficiency, cost savings, and timely delivery. These KPIs include: 

• MW Developed Post-FID: Total megawatts of power generation capacity advanced beyond FID, demonstrating scale and execution readiness. 
• Energized Hashrate Efficiency: % of planned EH/s successfully activated, reflecting operational readiness and infrastructure alignment. 
• Budget Performance vs. FEL-1: Cost savings achieved vs. Class 5 estimates, indicating strong financial discipline and value engineering. 
• Schedule Acceleration: Reduction in timeline from FEL-1 to energization, measuring speed-to-delivery through proactive project execution.