Beehive Project Developer

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Beehive Project Developer is an independent contractor who will build and scale the Beehive Microgrid™️ line of business — identifying a sustainable growth model, opening and growing revenue streams, owning the overall revenue performance of the Beehive social enterprise, and developing regional fleets that make renewable disaster response possible at scale.

This is a commercial and growth-focused role at its core, paired with hands-on project development. You will define how Beehive Microgrids grow into a self-sustaining business — leasing mobile energy assets, cultivating investors and partners, and standing up repeatable regional fleets — much like a solar project developer, but with ownership of the business model as well as the build.

You will work directly with our CEO on partnerships and growth strategy, and closely with our HQ Technology Team and regional program teams to turn strategy into deployed, revenue-generating fleets. This is a development and business-building role; active disaster deployments are handled by regional field teams.

ABOUT US

Footprint Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit disaster service organization headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. We develop and deploy sustainable response technologies to empower community resilience. Footprint Project works across the disaster management cycle to expand frontline access to mobile microgrids and reduce fossil fuel use. Visit www.footprintproject.org to learn more.

The Beehive Microgrid™ is our flagship resilience model: a dynamic network of rapidly deployable mobile energy assets built around a semi-permanent, centralized “Hive” and a fleet of mobile energy “Bees” (power, cooling, and water units). In blue-sky mode, a Hive serves as office, storage, and maintenance base while Bees power everyday community operations; in grey-sky mode, Bees deploy to deliver electricity, refrigeration, and clean water, and the Hive becomes a community hub and charging station.

We are ready to scale. Our goal is to grow Beehive Microgrids into a sustainable, revenue-generating line of business that lets Footprint rapidly expand deployment nationwide — and we are looking for the person to build that engine.

JOB DETAILS

• Engagement: Independent contractor (1099), ongoing and open-ended, approximately full-time. As a contractor, you determine how and when you work to deliver the agreed outcomes, use your own equipment, and are free to serve other clients.
• Location: New Orleans, LA or Asheville, NC metro areas preferred; open to fully remote for the right candidate.
• Travel: Occasional travel to regions/sites (pre-approved travel expenses reimbursed) 
• Compensation: Flat monthly retainer, with potential for additional deliverables-based compensation. Our contract rates are benchmarked against local market standards for independent consultants. The final rate offered will be based on the contractor’s primary location, level of experience, specialized expertise, and complexity of the deliverables.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Growth Model & Revenue Ownership

• Identify and build a sustainable growth model for the Beehive line of work, enabling Footprint to rapidly scale deployment nationwide.
• Own and grow the overall revenue generated by the Beehive line of business, with P&L-style accountability for its performance.
• Integrate mobile batteries into Commercial & Industrial (C&I) projects.
• Sell the Beehive Microgrid model to developers.
• Rent Bees for events.
• Identify and develop additional Beehive revenue opportunities as the business grows.

Fleet Development & Project Management

• Lead end-to-end development of regional Beehive Microgrid™ fleets, from concept and scoping through procurement, build-out, and deployment-readiness.
• Manage project timelines, interdependencies, and delivery across multiple regions.
• Coordinate with regional program teams on siting, site assessment, and deployment-readiness for Hives and Bees.

RFPs & Procurement

• Develop and run RFPs for equipment, vendors, and EPC/build partners supporting regional fleets.
• Manage procurement of Hive and Bee assets and related equipment, evaluating bids and making sourcing recommendations.
• Coordinate with Footprint staff on funder and grant procurement requirements (e.g., Buy America, prevailing wage, and applicable procurement standards).

Vendor & Partner Management

• Manage relationships with vendors, suppliers, and EPC/build partners, holding them to scope, schedule, quality, and cost.
• Support the CEO in cultivating sponsors and partners, providing development-side inputs and project scoping to advance opportunities.

Regional Expansion & Repeatability

• Help identify and stand up new and expansion regions in addition to established regions.
• Develop repeatable playbooks, templates, and processes that make launching a fleet in a new region faster and more consistent.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Direct experience in solar / clean-energy project development, including running RFPs, managing procurement, and managing vendors and EPCs.
• A business development mindset with a track record of building revenue — selling, renting, or otherwise monetizing energy assets, products, or services.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects end to end, on schedule and on budget.
• Experience developing standardized, repeatable processes across multiple projects or sites.
• Ability to work independently as a contractor — setting your own methods and schedule to deliver defined outcomes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with mobile, modular, or distributed energy assets (rather than only fixed rooftop or utility-scale).
• Experience selling into Commercial & Industrial (C&I) markets or to project developers.
• Familiarity with grant- or publicly funded procurement environments and their requirements.
• Experience in disaster response, resilience, or mission-driven / nonprofit settings.

No specific certifications or credentials (e.g., PMP, NABCEP, PE) are required.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send (via BambooHR) a cover letter and your resume. For selected candidates, our hiring process consists of an initial screening, at least one interview, and professional reference/employment history review. 

Applications without both a cover letter and resume will not be considered.

No one candidate will fit all the requirements, so everyone who fits at least some of the skills and has a willingness to learn is encouraged to apply.

Footprint Project is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Footprint Project makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time. We expect all Footprint Project employees uphold and demonstrate these same values, wherever we go and with whomever we work.