Senior Specialist: Solar Project Development

Red Rocket South Africa (Pty) Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,650,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Rocket South Africa (Pty) Ltd is seeking a Senior Specialist: Solar Project Development to provide expert support to the Solar Development Manager and leadership team. The role focuses on identifying, developing and executing utility and small-scale solar and BESS projects, coordinating permitting and bid submissions, and driving projects to Financial Close.

Responsibilities include managing a large project portfolio, land acquisition, environmental approvals, grid processes, stakeholder

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business.
• 3+ years of renewable energy project development experience.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Solar Development Manager and lead development and permitting activities.
• Manage portfolio of 10+ greenfield and brownfield solar and BESS projects across stages.
• Coordinate land acquisition, permitting, licensing, stakeholder engagement and grid processes to drive projects toward Financial Close.
• Prepare and manage tender preparation, bid analysis and submission for relevant entities.
• Liaise with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure timely deliverables and project milestones.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Engineering or Business Bachelor's Degree

Tools

ArcGIS

AutoCAD

Google Earth

EnergyPro

Job description

As a Senior Specialist: Solar Project Development, provide expert support to the Solar Development Manager, Head of Development and Red Rocket Trading Management. Management of the identification, development, and execution of utility and small-scale greenfield and brownfield solar and BESS projects. Coordinate the development and permitting activities in alignment with the Company’s Policies and recognised industry standards. Scout new opportunities as well as negotiate and manage relationships with Renewable Energy developers and stakeholders. Furthermore, to manage bid preparation and submission for Red Rocket South Africa and Red Rocket Trading and perform tasks for projects in development and up to Financial Close, also liaise with other teams to ensure all deliverables are communicated to the relevant parties.

Responsibilities:

Tender Preparation, Analysis and Submission:

• Manage REIPPPP, C&I and other Government tender processes, including the preparation, review, and submission of bid documentation in accordance with tender requirements for Red Rocket South Africa and Red Rocket Trading.

Project Planning and Coordination:

• Manage a portfolio of 10 or more greenfield and brownfield projects in various stages of development
• Manage project development workstreams including site screening, land acquisition, permitting, environmental approvals, grid processes, stakeholder engagement, and project de-risking
• Develop, maintain, and regularly update project trackers to ensure milestones, deliverables, and key project activities are achieved.
• Manage project activities and monitor progress against development schedules.
• Support the Development Manager in ensuring project milestones are met.
• Coordinate land, legal and development deliverables with support from the Land Acquisition team and Development Legal Counsel for projects to Financial Close.
• Manage Land Legal due diligence for projects going to Financial Close

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, consultants, landowners, and external stakeholders to facilitate project delivery.
• Coordinate and plan site visits with the Land Team and landowners.
• Build and maintain relationships with Government Entities, including but not limited to Eskom, DMR and DALLRD.

Portfolio Development, Permitting and Compliance:

• Manage the development of new greenfield projects, including but not limited site selection, permitting, licensing and ensuring projects are tender and/or investment ready in accordance with industry standards.
• Manage the finalisation, permitting and licensing of allocated brownfield projects to investment ready in accordance with industry standards.
• Manage the permitting, licensing and ensuring projects are tender or investment ready
• Manage and follow up on project-related permits, approvals, consents, and regulatory requirements.
• Liaise with internal team and external stakeholders to ensure timely receipt of required authorisations to ensure projects are ready for new opportunities.

Technical and Administrative Support:

• Maintain accurate project records and reporting systems.
• Specialise with GIS systems to support project development activities, site assessments, and data analysis.
• Provide administrative and coordination support across multiple projects.

Requirements:

Minimum Educational Qualifications:

• Engineering or Business-related Bachelor's Degree
• 3+years of experience within the renewable energy project development space

Other Skills:

• Very good people and communication skills
• ArcGIS, AutoCAD & Google Earth
• Leadership and coordination
• Project Management
• Proficiency with EnergyPro

Languages

• English (read, write & speak)
• Afrikaans, Sesotho and Zulu advantageous