VP, Business Development, US Utilities

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AES US - Utilities is seeking an experienced, commercially sophisticated and strategically driven Vice President of Business Development to lead the development of several generation projects, in support of a rapidly evolving integrated utility platform. This leader will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the company’s growth strategy to capture accelerating demand, and will drive projects from concept to completion, ensuring alignment with AES Utilities’ strategic objectives and stakeholder expectations.

The VP, Business Development will structure, negotiate, and advance complex infrastructure development, generation expansion, transmission interconnection, energy services, and strategic partnerships. The role is responsible for identifying, structuring, and advancing opportunities that enhance long-term customer growth, increase system utilization, support reliability objectives, and create sustainable shareholder and customer value within a regulated utility framework. The VP, Business Development will serve as a key interface among customers, regulators, economic development agencies, transmission organizations, developers, and internal operational leadership to position the company as the preferred long-term energy and infrastructure partner for next-generation digital infrastructure investment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the company’s business development strategy focused on high-load growth sectors, such as data centers and manufacturing.
• Identify and advance new development opportunities aligned with AES Indiana’s generation capabilities.
• Develop a portfolio of generation projects to support AES Indiana’s growth needs.  The expectation is that AES Indiana will be developing several thermal and storage projects.
• Lead the end-to-end development of generation projects, including early- and mid-stage engineering, design requirements, permitting, interconnection and financial planning.
• Build, manage and influence a cross-functional team (Finance, Engineering, Regulatory, Legal, Construction, etc.) to ensure project milestones are met.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive business development plan covering all phases: real estate, permitting, EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction), financials, community engagement, etc.  Ensure smooth project handovers to Construction team at appropriate milestone(s).
• Lead negotiations for key contracts and agreements, including EPC, turbine supply, real estate, etc.
• Ensure projects align with system reliability, operational capability, and long-term integrated resource planning objectives.
• Support rate case strategy and regulatory filings associated with major customer growth and infrastructure expansion initiatives.
• Help shape policies related to data center growth, large-load interconnection, economic development incentives, transmission expansion, and resource adequacy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, economics, finance, public policy, or related field; advanced degree a plus.
• Typically 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in the utility, energy, infrastructure, or large-scale industrial development sectors.
• Proven experience in developing and delivering thermal assets (e.g. Combined Cycle Gas Turbines) or similar large-scale energy infrastructure projects in the United States. Experience with other forms of generation and battery storage a plus.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of building, managing and influencing strong performing cross-functional teams.
• Expertise in project management, contract negotiation, regulatory strategy, and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.