Management
Wind Energy Development Managers
Also called: Business Development Director, Business Development Manager, Development Director, Development Manager
US median pay
$141,900
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.9%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
100,900
1,338,800 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Coordinate or direct development, energy assessment, engineering, or construction activities to ensure that wind project needs and objectives are met.
- Manage wind project costs to stay within budget limits.
- Lead or support negotiations involving tax agreements or abatements, power purchase agreements, land use, or interconnection agreements.
- Create wind energy project plans, including project scope, goals, tasks, resources, schedules, costs, contingencies, or other project information.
- Supervise the work of subcontractors or consultants to ensure quality and conformance to specifications or budgets.
- Develop scope of work for wind project functions, such as design, site assessment, environmental studies, surveying, or field support services.
- Provide verbal or written project status reports to project teams, management, subcontractors, customers, or owners.
- Update schedules, estimates, forecasts, or budgets for wind projects.
- Prepare or assist in the preparation of applications for environmental, building, or other required permits.
- Review or evaluate proposals or bids to make recommendations regarding awarding of contracts.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Coordination3.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.5/5
- Time Management3.4/5
- Negotiation3.4/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4/5
- Persuasion3.2/5
Knowledge
- Administration and Management4.1/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Building and Construction3.8/5
- Engineering and Technology3.7/5
- Economics and Accounting3.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.3/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree67%
- Associate's degree18%
- Master's degree12%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.