Commercial Manager

Commercial Manager / Senior Commercial Manager – Renewable Energy

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Industry: Renewable Energy – Wind, Solar & Energy Storage

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Commercial Manager / Senior Commercial Manager to join a growing Canadian renewable energy company focused on developing utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects across Canada.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-paced, entrepreneurial organization committed to advancing the clean energy transition.

The Commercial Manager will play a key role in leading commercial strategy, business development initiatives, and financial evaluations to identify, evaluate, and execute renewable energy investment opportunities.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing commercial and financial strategies for new renewable energy projects throughout their lifecycle, from early-stage development through construction and operations.

This position involves leading electricity procurement strategies, preparing competitive RFP submissions, originating and negotiating Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), evaluating project acquisitions, and supporting commercial decisions across multiple Canadian electricity markets.

The ideal candidate will have 5–10 years of experience in renewable energy commercial activities, power origination, electricity markets, or investment evaluation, preferably with an independent power producer (IPP), utility-scale renewable energy developer, investment bank, infrastructure investment firm, or related organization.

Key Responsibilities:

RFP & PPA Strategy and Execution

• Develop and execute commercial strategies for renewable energy procurement opportunities across Canadian electricity markets.
• Monitor provincial electricity procurement programs, including upcoming solicitations, procurement timelines, contract awards, and competitive market activity.
• Analyze technical, commercial, and financial requirements associated with RFPs, PPAs, and other procurement opportunities.
• Lead bid strategy assessments, including competitive analysis, market positioning, financial considerations, and recommendations.
• Evaluate new commercial opportunities and assess risks associated with procurement requirements and contractual obligations.
• Coordinate with project development, finance, and investment teams to prepare and evaluate competitive bids for utility-led RFPs, auctions, and other electricity procurement opportunities.
• Support the development and evaluation of project financial models incorporating commercial terms, PPA structures, and project economics.
• Prepare responses to corporate and utility PPA opportunities.
• Originate, structure, and negotiate Power Purchase Agreements with commercial and industrial customers and other electricity purchasers.
• Provide guidance on short-term and long-term PPA structures, electricity price exposure, basis risk, and hedging strategies.

Bid Management & Governance

• Manage commercial requirements associated with RFP submissions, including internal reviews, financial approvals, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare bid reporting materials, legal review documentation, and presentations for senior management.
• Coordinate responses to post-submission clarification requests and additional procurement requirements.
• Collaborate with finance and legal teams regarding bid security deposits, performance guarantees, Letters of Credit, and submission fees.
• Support the establishment of appropriate project structures and entities to meet procurement, financing, and partnership requirements.
• Coordinate post-award requirements and communicate contractual commitments to project development and execution teams.

Project Acquisitions & Business Development

• Identify and evaluate renewable energy project acquisition opportunities across Canada.
• Conduct and coordinate commercial due diligence, financial evaluations, and risk assessments for multiple renewable energy projects.
• Lead or support negotiations associated with renewable energy project acquisitions at various stages of development.
• Provide commercial guidance to development teams evaluating greenfield wind, solar, and battery energy storage projects.
• Support the development of commercial strategies for new renewable energy investments and project portfolios.
• Participate in the structuring and negotiation of equity partnerships with Indigenous communities for renewable energy projects.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to evaluate investment opportunities and facilitate commercial transactions.

Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Develop and review project financial models, business cases, investment analyses, and commercial recommendations.
• Evaluate project economics, investment returns, financial risks, and key project performance metrics.
• Perform financial sensitivity and scenario analyses to support commercial decision-making.
• Prepare detailed business cases and acquisition recommendations for management and investment approvals.
• Develop monthly steering committee reports, annual and semiannual Board presentations, and other senior management reporting materials.
• Prepare financial and commercial presentations summarizing investment opportunities, market conditions, and project performance.
• Ensure financial analysis and commercial recommendations are presented accurately, clearly, and effectively.

Electricity Market Research & Strategy

• Monitor Canadian electricity market trends, renewable energy procurement activity, and emerging commercial opportunities.
• Conduct market research and competitive intelligence to support commercial strategy and investment decisions.
• Analyze wholesale electricity markets, electricity pricing, supply and demand trends, and market fundamentals.
• Track regulatory developments, government policies, and market conditions that may impact renewable energy project economics.
• Maintain knowledge of key Canadian provincial electricity markets, particularly Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia.
• Identify commercial opportunities and risks associated with evolving electricity market structures and renewable energy policies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with industry participants, electricity purchasers, developers, utilities, and other stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5–10+ years of relevant experience in power origination, electricity marketing, renewable energy business development, or energy investment evaluation.
• Experience within a utility-scale renewable energy developer, independent power producer (IPP), investment bank, pension fund, private equity firm, or related organization.
• Demonstrated experience originating and negotiating renewable energy PPAs within the past five years.
• Strong knowledge of wholesale electricity markets, commercial electricity contracts, and common PPA structures.
• Understanding of electricity pricing, merchant power exposure, risk management, and hedging strategies.
• Knowledge of Alberta and/or Ontario electricity markets.
• Experience evaluating commercial opportunities involving wind, solar, and battery energy storage projects.
• Strong financial analysis capabilities, including project pro forma development, financial modeling, and sensitivity analysis.
• Experience conducting commercial due diligence and evaluating renewable energy project investments.
• Excellent negotiation, commercial structuring, and business development skills.
• Strong analytical abilities with the capacity to evaluate complex commercial and financial information.
• Demonstrated ability to develop detailed business cases and present recommendations to senior leadership.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and collaboration platforms such as SharePoint and Teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or CFA designation.
• Experience leading or supporting renewable energy RFP submissions and competitive electricity procurement processes.
• Demonstrated success originating and executing wind, solar, or energy storage investment opportunities.
• Experience negotiating commercial and industrial PPAs or other bilateral electricity contracts.
• Experience structuring electricity offtake arrangements and managing exposure to merchant electricity markets.
• Knowledge of power market fundamentals, portfolio optimization, and commercial hedging strategies.
• Experience preparing and presenting investment business cases to institutional investors, investment banks, or private equity firms.
• Experience supporting renewable energy project acquisitions, commercial partnerships, or joint ventures.
• Established network of relationships within the Canadian renewable energy and electricity sectors.

Key Skills & Personal Attributes

• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of electricity markets, commercial negotiations, and renewable energy business development.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to evaluate complex financial and commercial information and provide actionable recommendations.
• Initiative: A proactive, self-motivated approach to identifying opportunities and solving problems.
• Negotiation Skills: Ability to structure and negotiate commercial agreements while balancing financial objectives and project risks.
• Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Attention to Detail: Exceptional accuracy in financial analysis, reporting, contractual reviews, and commercial evaluations.
• Organization: Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, establish priorities, and meet demanding deadlines.
• Communication: Ability to summarize complex information and present clear recommendations to management and external stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with changing priorities.
• Integrity: Strong professional ethics, sound judgment, and accountability.

Work Location & Additional Requirements

• This position is based in Calgary, Alberta.
• Occasional travel is required, approximately 5–10%.
• Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
• Fluency in English is required.
• The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership, project development teams, and financial stakeholders.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within the growing Canadian renewable energy sector.

The successful candidate will contribute to the commercial success of utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects while working in a dynamic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial environment.

We are looking for a motivated professional who enjoys solving complex commercial challenges, building relationships, and identifying opportunities that support the transition to cleaner energy.

The position may be offered at the Commercial Manager or Senior Commercial Manager level depending on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience.

Candidates who meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications are encouraged to apply.