Co-Founder & CEO, Circular Wastewater Tech

BigCircle Ventures; Amsterdam; On-site; Full time

Job description

Overview

A Co-Founding CEO is sought to work on an exciting new project in Circular Wastewater Treatment. The role involves leading a start‑up founded by BigCircle Ventures, which scouts deep‑tech innovations and transforms them into climate‑positive, circular solutions.

The project focuses on converting low‑value, iron‑rich residual sludge from drinking water production into a high‑performance liquid coagulant for municipal wastewater treatment. The venture will likely operate on a project finance structure, establishing a holding company and SPVs to finance, construct, and operate multiple treatment installations both in the Netherlands and internationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Project development & management: serve as Project Director overseeing the full cycle of project development and realization with an SPV structure (design, funding, construction, commissioning, and operation); set up and lead the project development TopCo versus the SPV organizations.
• Funding & project finance: attract investors and subsidies for product development (equity for TopCo) and SPVs (project finance/debt/non‑dilutive financing).
• Network within potential customers & supply chain: align with offtakers’ technical and financial requirements; build a strong network and understand the technical and market requirements of users in the water treatment market to identify a fitting business model.
• Leadership & technology development: build strong, motivated teams for technology‑ and business development; foster trust and inspire others; organize relevant capacities effectively in each specific phase of tech development, focusing on feedstock testing and process engineering.
• Regulations and market trends: monitor the development of relevant market regulations and market trends regarding the use of coagulants/flocculants; scout opportunities and threats, act accordingly, and lobby at the necessary authorities or trade organizations.

Requirements

• Entrepreneurship: ability to turn technology into real‑world impact by identifying opportunities to create value, innovation, and profit.
• Driven and action‑oriented: willingness to make things happen by setting relevant goals with a clear path to achieving them.
• Infrastructure & Project Finance experience: hands‑on experience in managing EPC/DBFMO projects within the semi‑public infrastructure, energy and/or water treatment sectors; extensive knowledge of setting up new entities (project factories / SPVs) and raising/structuring project finance.
• Collaborative Technical Mindset: enthusiasm for technology and ability to translate industrial needs into solutions that make sense; technical background is a plus.
• Semi‑Public Sector & Stakeholder Management: experience in the semi‑public market, preferably within water treatment; public tender experience, navigating complex regulations, and managing public interests and stakeholder dynamics; international experience (Germany, Belgium, France) is highly favorable.
• Business model development & project realization: experience designing and scaling business models; track record as a Project Director managing the full cycle of capital‑intensive project development in infrastructure, energy, or chemical plant deployments.

Additional Experience

• Project development & scaling: translate pilot‑stage chemical processes into commercial realities; experience in EPC/DBFMO projects and project management.
• Visionary leadership: bring clarity and purpose to complex situations; experience in a start‑up or growth‑stage environment is a plus.
• Financial acumen: manage budgets and earnings reports; create growth by finding and engaging with investors for external fundraising.
• Commercial execution: successfully introduce sustainable, drop‑in replacement technologies to traditional markets, ideally with experience in semi‑public markets.
• Regulatory knowledge: strong understanding of European environmental standards, waste‑to‑resource frameworks (End‑of‑Waste criteria), and permitting processes required for chemical handling and industrial plant operations.

Other Requirements

• English language proficiency; additional languages (German, French, Dutch) are a plus.
• Currently based in the Netherlands or willing to relocate.
• Available at least 3 days a week during the start‑up phase; full‑time is preferable.

Benefits

• Attractive equity stake and co‑founder role in a high‑impact, high‑growth venture.
• Extensive support from BigCircle’s network, including capital raising, legal, governance, regulatory, patent, and HR expertise.
• Mentorship from senior partners and a growing community of CEOs within the portfolio.
• Professional services and infrastructure in place to maximize chances of success.