Director - Site Development

Alumni Ventures; Kearny (NJ); On-site; USD 125,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range $125,000-$230,000

Comprehensive health benefits

Employee equity stock options

20 days PTO

Job summary

Thea Energy is looking for an execution-oriented Director - Site Development to spearhead the site selection process for upcoming fusion systems. Located in Kearny, New Jersey, this leadership role demands over 10 years of experience in site selection or project development, proficiency in negotiating incentives, and strong communication skills. The ideal candidate will connect technical requirements with community engagement to ensure the success of this innovative energy initiative. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are included.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in site selection or project development.
• Proven track record of negotiating state and local funding.
• Experience with capital intensive infrastructure development cycles.

Responsibilities

• Manage site selection criteria for fusion systems.
• Negotiate state and local incentive packages.
• Navigate regulatory frameworks and permitting processes.

Skills

Site selection experience

Negotiation of incentive packages

Understanding of regulatory frameworks

Communication skills

Ability to thrive in start-up environments

Education

Bachelor's degree or greater in a relevant field

Job description

About Thea Energy

Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future.

Position Overview

Thea Energy is seeking an execution-oriented Director - Site Development to lead the complex process of identifying, evaluating, and securing the location for the Company’s upcoming fusion systems. This candidate will interact with Company leadership, finance & operations, and technical teams, and external stakeholders. The Director - Site Development will lead the site selection processes for the Company’s core operations and integrated fusion systems and will be responsible for securing competitive state and local incentive packages, navigating regulatory frameworks, and establishing strong community partnerships. Your efforts will directly contribute to the organization's success by aligning technical requirements with community and government support.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Define and manage technical and resource-based site selection criteria.
• Identify, evaluate, and lead negotiations for state and local incentive packages, tax credits, and infrastructure grants.
• Serve as the primary liaison with state and local governments to navigate regulatory frameworks and permitting processes.
• Lead local stakeholder outreach to build community relationships and secure the local stakeholder trust required for a first-of-a-kind fusion energy project.
• Proactively identify and manage risks related to land use, zoning, and environmental impact assessments.
• Align the siting process with technical requirements and company stakeholders to ensure site readiness and compatibility.
• Establish and maintain schedule and cost baselines for siting, incentives, land acquisition, and construction phases.

Ideal Experience & Skillsets

• 10+ years of relevant work experience driving site selection, first of a kind construction project development, or government affairs within deep tech, energy, hardware, or aerospace.
• Proven track record of successfully negotiating and securing complex state and local incentive packages or non-dilutive government funding.
• Comfort interfacing with legal and regulatory frameworks; able to effectively partner with counsel to navigate zoning ordinances, term sheets, and incentive contracts.
• Experience with complex and capital intensive infrastructure development cycles.
• Highly structured and process-driven, with a speed and execution mindset and the ability to manage competing priorities across internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, particularly in public-facing or sensitive negotiation settings.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.
• Bachelor's degree or greater in a relevant technical, legal, or policy field.

Company Benefits

• Salary range $125,000-$230,000
• Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
• Employee equity stock options
• 20 days PTO

Diversity and Inclusion

Thea Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a company of diverse backgrounds. By creating a diverse environment, we will bring new ideas and approaches to solving some of the world’s hardest (and most important) problems. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, family or marital status, age, disability, veteran’s status, or other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.