Occupation · SOC 11-9199.10
Wind Energy Development Managers
Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.
Median wage
$136,550
$68,860–$227,590
Projected growth
+4.5%
Average growth
Annual openings
5,980
per year
Employed (US)
630,980
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
7,377 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingWritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringTime ManagementNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningPersuasionManagement of Financial ResourcesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesService OrientationInstructingLearning StrategiesQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringTroubleshootingOperations AnalysisOperation and ControlTechnology DesignScienceProgrammingEquipment SelectionRepairingEquipment MaintenanceInstallation
Knowledge areas
Administration and ManagementEnglish LanguageBuilding and ConstructionEngineering and TechnologyEconomics and AccountingCustomer and Personal ServiceDesignMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsMechanicalAdministrativeGeographyPublic Safety and SecurityCommunications and MediaLaw and GovernmentProduction and ProcessingTransportationEducation and TrainingSales and MarketingPersonnel and Human ResourcesPhysicsTelecommunicationsPsychologySociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyChemistryBiologyForeign LanguagePhilosophy and TheologyMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Autodesk AutoCADESRI ArcGIS softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordOracle Primavera SystemsSAP softwareWeb browser softwareWeb conferencing software
Representative tasks
Communicating with People Outside the OrganizationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkGetting InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleAnalyzing Data or InformationWorking with ComputersScheduling Work and ActivitiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDeveloping and Building TeamsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesThinking CreativelyProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsSelling or Influencing OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesAssisting and Caring for OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentControlling Machines and Processes
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Wind project scope documentation — compile initial drafts under direct supervision to support project planning activities in a development office setting.Project scheduling tools — enter and update task data in project management software under the guidance of a senior manager on assigned wind development projects.Subcontractor deliverables — review submitted materials against specifications with direction from a project lead to verify basic conformance on active wind sites.Budget tracking spreadsheets — record and organize cost entries under supervision to support financial monitoring of early-stage wind energy projects.Status report templates — prepare routine written project updates following established formats for distribution to internal project teams.GIS and mapping tools — retrieve and display geographic data under instruction to support site assessment activities for wind resource evaluation.Land use and permitting documentation — gather and organize required materials under guidance to assist negotiations or regulatory submissions for wind projects.Energy assessment reports — read and summarize findings from third-party studies under supervision to inform project planning discussions.Stakeholder meeting minutes — document action items and decisions accurately during project coordination meetings in a wind development environment.CAD and design software — access and interpret basic project drawings under direction to support engineering coordination tasks on wind farm development projects.
developing
Wind project cost forecasts — update and reconcile budget estimates with moderate oversight to maintain financial accuracy across active project phases.Scope of work documents — develop detailed written scopes for site assessment, surveying, and environmental study services with limited supervision on wind development assignments.Subcontractor performance — monitor work quality and schedule adherence routinely, flagging deviations to management for resolution on multi-vendor wind projects.Project status reports — prepare and deliver clear verbal and written updates to project teams and external stakeholders at defined milestones during wind project execution.Schedule management — revise project timelines in response to changing site conditions or permitting delays using project management software in a development office context.Negotiation preparation — research and compile data to support power purchase agreement and land-use negotiation sessions under the direction of senior managers.Risk identification — apply critical thinking to recognize emerging schedule and cost risks on wind projects and escalate findings with documented analysis.Stakeholder coordination — facilitate routine communication among engineering, environmental, and construction teams to maintain alignment on wind project objectives.Regulatory and permitting tracking — manage permit application timelines and agency correspondence with reduced oversight to keep wind development projects on schedule.ERP and financial systems — extract and interpret cost and resource data from enterprise platforms to support project reporting and budget updates for wind energy initiatives.
proficient
Wind project plans — create comprehensive project plans encompassing scope, goals, resource allocation, contingency strategies, and cost baselines autonomously for utility-scale wind developments.Development and construction coordination — direct cross-functional teams across engineering, environmental, and construction workstreams to ensure project objectives and quality standards are consistently met.Budget management — independently manage full project budgets, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions to keep wind energy developments within approved cost limits.Agreement negotiations — lead negotiations for interconnection agreements, tax abatements, and power purchase agreements on behalf of the organization with minimal escalation required.Subcontractor oversight — autonomously evaluate consultant and subcontractor performance against technical specifications and contractual obligations, enforcing corrective measures when necessary.Non-routine problem solving — apply complex problem-solving and inductive reasoning to resolve unforeseen site, regulatory, or stakeholder challenges that arise during wind project development.Scope of work development — define detailed functional scopes for design, environmental studies, and field support services that align technical requirements with project economics.Multi-stakeholder reporting — deliver high-quality verbal and written status reports tailored to diverse audiences including owners, customers, and executive management across all project phases.Schedule and forecast management — produce and maintain dynamic project schedules and financial forecasts that accurately reflect project status and enable proactive decision-making.Technology integration — leverage GIS, CAD, and project management platforms together to synthesize spatial, engineering, and financial data into actionable wind project intelligence.
advanced
Organizational project strategy — set the development direction and portfolio priorities for wind energy projects at an enterprise level, aligning initiatives with corporate growth and sustainability goals.Executive negotiation leadership — lead and close complex multi-party negotiations involving tax agreements, large-scale power purchase contracts, and regulatory frameworks that shape organizational competitive position.Cross-functional team development — mentor and develop project managers and development staff, building organizational depth and bench strength for wind energy development pipelines.Portfolio budget governance — establish and enforce financial controls, approval thresholds, and resource allocation frameworks across a portfolio of wind development projects at scale.Methodology and standards creation — design and institutionalize project management methodologies, scope development protocols, and reporting standards adopted organization-wide for wind energy programs.Strategic stakeholder engagement — cultivate long-term relationships with landowners, utilities, regulators, and community leaders to secure organizational access and social license for future wind development.Organizational risk governance — lead enterprise-level risk assessment processes, defining contingency frameworks and escalation protocols that protect project and company assets across the development lifecycle.Technology and innovation leadership — evaluate and champion adoption of emerging GIS, ERP, and project management technologies to improve development efficiency and competitive advantage across the organization.Interdisciplinary program coordination — direct integrated programs spanning legal, engineering, environmental, and financial disciplines, ensuring cohesive delivery of large-scale wind energy development objectives.Executive reporting and accountability — present portfolio performance, strategic risks, and investment recommendations to boards, ownership groups, and executive leadership, driving informed organizational decision-making.
Also known as
21 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Business Development DirectorBusiness Development ManagerDevelopment DirectorDevelopment ManagerEnergy DirectorEnergy Project DirectorEnvironmental Projects AdvisorProject Development LeaderRenewable Energy Civil ForemanRenewable Energy Field CoordinatorRenewable Energy Project HandlerRenewable Energy Project ManagerRenewable Power DirectorRenewable Project Management and Construction DirectorWind Development DirectorWind Development LeaderWind Energy Project ManagerWind Power Project ManagerWind Power Technical LeaderWind Project ManagerWind Projects Supervisor