Project Development Lead - NI & ROI

Fuse Energy; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Fuse Energy is seeking a Project Development Lead for NI/ROI to identify and secure renewable energy prospects, manage site acquisitions, and coordinate feasibility with Finance, GIS and engineering teams. The role covers permitting, PPA structures, and end-to-end acquisition leadership across the Island of Ireland.

Ideal candidates will have 3–5 years in development roles, strong stakeholder relations, and a solid grasp of Ireland and Northern Ireland regulatory environments; travel is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor level with a specialization in power, renewable energy, agronomy, environmental studies, or project management.
• 3/5 years of professional experience in a development role, with a successful track record in project development.
• Strong interpersonal and written/spoken communication skills; ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Identify, analyze, and secure new energy prospects across data centres, BESS, wind, rooftop, carport, and ground-mounted installations.
• Manage the local commercial network to facilitate site acquisitions and project development.
• Collaborate with Finance, GIS, and engineering teams to assess feasibility and optimize project design.
• Oversee permitting process from inception through construction readiness, ensuring compliance with regulatory and grid connection requirements.
• Engage with the finance department to structure PPAs and other financial models.
• Lead the acquisition process from initial opportunity identification through to transaction completion.
• Maintain an acquisition pipeline aligned with the company's growth strategy.
• Engage with local authorities and stakeholders to build a robust network.

Skills

Project development

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Data centre knowledge

Regulatory awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in power/renewables or related field

Job description

About Us:

Fuse Energy is a forward-thinking renewable energy startup on a mission to deliver a terawatt of renewable energy - fast. We're combining first-principles thinking with cutting-edge technology to build a radically better energy system. We've raised more than $210M from top-tier investors including Multicoin, Balderton, Lakestar, Accel, Creandum, Lowercarbon, Ribbit, Box Group and strategic angels like Nico Rosberg, the co-founder of Solana and GPs behind Meta, Revolut, Spotify and Uber.

We're creating a fully integrated energy company: from developing solar, wind and hydrogen projects to real-time power trading and distributed energy installations. By selling directly to consumers, we cut out the middleman, lower costs and pass on savings to customers.

Purpose:

As a key member of the Development team, the Project Development Lead NI/ROI will be responsible for:

• Identifying, analyzing, and securing new energy prospects, including Data Centres, BESS, wind, rooftop, carport, and ground-mounted installations.
• Managing the local commercial network to facilitate site acquisitions and project development.
• Collaborating with the Finance, GIS, and engineering teams to assess feasibility and optimize project design.
• Overseeing the permitting process for solar projects from inception through to construction readiness, ensuring compliance with regulatory and grid connection requirements.
• Engaging with the finance department and your clients to structure Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and other financial models.
• Leading the acquisition process from initial opportunity identification through to transaction completion and successful handover into the project development and delivery teams.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project and business development within the renewables and power sector, with a proven track record of identifying and securing projects across the Island of Ireland.

This position reports to the Head of Projects.

Stakeholder Engagement & Market Development

• Establishing, developing, and maintaining a strong local network with key stakeholders, including local authorities, landowners, industrial clients, business providers, and regional administrations.
• Identifying and implementing new prospecting methods and strategies to secure renewables energy opportunities.
• Engaging with commercial and industrial clients to structure Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and respond to tenders.

Project Acquisition

• Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with developers, IPPs, utilities, advisors, and landowners to identify acquisition opportunities.
• Identifying, sourcing, and securing late-stage and Ready-to-Build (RTB) renewable energy projects through proactive market engagement.
• Leading commercial negotiations, including NDAs, NBOs, LOIs, Exclusivity Agreements, and acquisition terms through to transaction completion.
• Assessing project opportunities, coordinating due diligence, and working with internal teams to support investment decisions.
• Monitoring market activity and maintaining a robust acquisition pipeline aligned with the company's growth strategy.

Site Identification & Feasibility Analysis

• Identify and assess new energy opportunities (data centres, wind, BESS, rooftop, carport, ground-mounted, floating, and hybrid solar solutions) through cartographic studies and data analysis.
• Conducting technical, environmental, and regulatory feasibility studies, coordinating local consultations with residents, landowners, and authorities.
• Securing land or lease agreements for selected sites.

Project Development & Permitting

• Managing the entire development lifecycle of projects, from site selection to permitting and pre-construction.
• Liaising with spatial planners, technical and environmental consultants, and legal experts to prepare and submit all necessary permitting applications.
• Leading and coordinating with local authorities, grid operators, suppliers, and consultants to ensure timely project approvals.

Pre-Construction & Tender Management

• Preparing response files for project tenders from local authorities and industrial companies.
• Managing pre-construction tasks, including risk assessments, procurement tender preparation, and supporting EPC contract negotiations.
• Drafting and reviewing technical and commercial appendices for contracts and project agreements.

Your areas of knowledge and expertise:

• Bachelors level with a specialization in power, renewable energy, agronomy, environmental studies, or project management. We are of course open to work experienced candidates as well.
• 3/5 years of professional experience in a development role, with a successful track record in project development.
• Highly motivated to work in a multifaceted environment, you are organized, open-minded, and autonomous. You are capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills with all types of stakeholders, excellent verbal and written communication.
• Solid analytical skills, strong adaptability, and efficiency.
• Knowledge of the Irish renewable sector is a plus, as well as understanding the functioning of local authorities and/or administrations in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• A valid driver's license (more than 1 year) is essential (travel required).