Project Developer

The Talent Hive; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 334,800 - 558,000; Full time

Job summary

A renewable energy firm in Johannesburg is seeking a Project Developer to support the development and structuring of energy projects from opportunity through financial close. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of project management experience in energy, strong communication skills, and proficiency in Excel. Key responsibilities include managing regulatory approvals, stakeholder relationships, and project delivery under tight deadlines. This role offers opportunities for career progression within a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressively responsible project management or development experience in energy or a related industry.
• Excellent verbal, written, technical and computer communication and presentation skills.
• Proficient knowledge of Excel.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and structuring of energy projects from early opportunity through financial close.
• Lead the preparation and risk review of contracts required to execute the project.
• Manage interfaces with Engineering, Investments & Funding, and other group functions.

Skills

Analytical Problem Solving

Strong Communication

Customer/Partner Relationships

Technology Expertise

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office software

Job description

Job Responsibilities

The Project Developer will be responsible for supporting the development and structuring of energy projects from early opportunity through to the development cycle and to financial close. The Project Developer will be responsible for a range of project development activities and one of the key areas will be business development and will report directly to the Senior Project Developer. The Project developer will also be responsible for raising finance and procuring products.

• Identifying, obtaining & maintaining all permits, approvals, authorizations and licenses required.
• Compile documentation, attend meetings, conduct necessary studies, and perform other tasks as needed to obtain permits for solar projects at the local, provincial and national level.
• Assist with efforts to secure transmission and interconnection rights from utilities and transmission providers.
• Identifying, scoping and appointing service providers for appropriate specialist studies.
• Ensuring that grid connection requirements are assessed and studied in order to ensure Power Plant Grid connectivity.
• Collaborate with engineering team to achieve successful equipment sourcing and selection, contractor selection, conceptual & detailed design, technical optimization, and grid connection.
• Providing inputs to and supporting financial modelling activities required.
• Leading the preparation and risk review of contracts required to execute the project with Legal Counsel.
• Lead the identification, tracking and execution of all licensing and approvals, and other related activities to bring projects to bid-ready and ready to build, depending on the context.
• Origination of investment opportunities in greenfield and brownfield renewable projects in South Africa, rest of Africa, and in different stages of development.
• Manage due diligence of prospective partners and projects for acquisition.
• Site and project acquisition (whether greenfield or established projects): evaluating, selecting and developing of a portfolio of projects from pre-feasibility through to fully developed, bid ready or bankable projects.
• Identify and organize the development of wind and solar projects by creating and updating project maps and databases.
• Stay up to date with regulatory and market intelligence factors to continuously update maps and databases.
• Identify and pursue tender opportunities for private PPAs and related Bid Coordination.
• Ensure bidding opportunities are aligned with strategy and creating business cases accordingly.
• Lead & co-ordinate the submission of compliant and high-quality bids
• Manage interfaces with Engineering, Investments & Funding, and other group functions as required.
• Prepare and submit business cases that to ensure projects are investment-worthy and maximize profit and return on investment to the Company and the Group
• Apply Project Management of projects under development and bids under preparation.
• Identify development opportunities that help the Company meet our goals and overall development objectives.
• Produce a business case for each development opportunity and each specific project, communicate the business case to the Senior Project Developer to obtain formal approval before proceeding.
• Reporting on progress of all activities to the Senior Project Developer.
• Delivering projects under strict timescales whilst ensuring financial performance meets company objectives.

Finance and Revenue Generation

• Participate in the preparation of proposals that are submitted to power purchasers including utilities, community choice aggregators, and commercial & industrial customers.
• Support internal reporting and project tracking efforts.
• Lead the evaluation of project Feasibility Studies
• Negotiate property agreements with landowner(s) to provide PGE with appropriate rights to develop our projects.
• Secure all third-party consents necessary to build and operate our projects.
• Secure funding from lenders, investors and/or joint venture parties needed to build our projects, ensure you maximize the profit and return on investment to the Company and the Group.

Stakeholder Relationships

• Technical delivery, and client relationship management for all related projects
• Work with the Senior Project Developer and landowners to create and amend agreements, options, leases, and land sales.
• Assist with community outreach and other stakeholder management activities.
• Identify, initiate, and maintain positive working relationships

with appropriate stakeholder including but not limited to:

• Land-owners
• Site Developers
• Potential and current partner IPPs
• Appropriate regulatory bodies
• Appropriate service providers

People Management

• Manage all staff under supervision and conduct performance and talent management activities for direct reports.
• Coach and mentor direct reports. Identify team members for succession pipeline and career progression.
• Oversee effective utilization of systems and tools to ensure that knowledge is managed efficiently for continuous improvement.
• Recognize and make recommendations for the reward of high performing members; respects, promotes and accepts diversity.

Compliance & Governance

• Execute in adherence to all relevant regulatory and business practices.
• Conduct land, market, regulatory, and related project research.
• Active risk management by applying and promoting a culture of on-going detection and resolution of Statutory, Regulatory compliance breaches.
• Ensure timely delivery on all statutory reporting requirements.
• Assist in driving the resolution management of the identified top 5 departmental risks.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in business, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or a related field
• 5+ years of progressively responsible project management or development experience in energy or a related industry
• Excellent verbal, written, technical and computer communication and presentation skills.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office software with strong Excel skills
• Competency in Analytical Problem Solving, Strong Communication, Customer/Partner Relationships, and Technology Expertise