Senior Project Development Manager (m/f/d) at juwi Renewable Energies (Pty) Ltd

Objectives

The Project Development Unit predominantly develops utility-scale solar, wind and hybrid projects to be bid in the REIPPPP (or other sovereign backed programs in Africa) or used as the basis of possible utility scale embedded or wheeling projects in the future. 

As a Senior Project Development Manager (m/f/d) within JUWI, working with and overseeing more junior members of the Development Team, you will be required to manage the various project development tasks necessary. Depending on each market and business model, these tasks variously include site selection, land acquisition, plant layout, permitting and the commercial negotiations for the sale of project equity and procurement of goods and services. These tasks cover the development phase through financial close to construction phase support.

Primary Responsibilities

• Project Management: Oversee multiple wind, solar, and hybrid projects in various development stages, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Site Identification & Design: Utilize advanced GIS tools for project site selection; collaborate on plant design tasks, including turbine, PV array, and electrical layouts.
• Landowner & Investor Relations: Assist in landowner negotiations and participate in investor selection processes.
• Budget & Financial Oversight: Establish and manage project budgets and assist with project financial modelling.
• Licensing & Permitting: Oversee project licensing tasks, coordinating with statutory organizations for necessary approvals and permits.
• Team Leadership: Provide guidance to junior members of the Development Team, ensuring consistency and quality in project development efforts.
• Negotiations & Agreements: Develop, negotiate, and finalize development and project site sales agreements; contribute to tender submissions.
• Risk Management & Reporting: Mitigate project risks, maintain regular progress reports, and participate in project and programme reviews as needed.
• Support to EPC Sales Team: Offer project development assistance to the EPC Sales Team based on individual project needs.

Your Profile

Qualifications and Experience

• A degree in Engineering, Business or Natural Science
• Proven ability to speak and write fluently in English.
• High degree of project development experience within the renewable energy sector (ideally within REIPPPP) or in other industries facing similar challenges, such as infrastructure and construction
• Proven commercial experience in the negotiation of Project Sale Agreements
• Possession of a valid, South Africa Code 08 driver’s license
• Motivated, driven and ability to self-manage.
• Strong administrative skills
• Proven ability to work within a small project development team.
• Proven ability to solve problems creatively.
• Proven experience of successfully managing multiple projects within budget and on schedule

Desirable Attributes

• A degree in Engineering, Business Science. Law or similar
• Cash flow modelling experience
• Proven experience in the successful negotiation of land acquisition agreements.
• Thorough understanding of the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) Environmental Authorisation assessment process; ideally with respect to renewable energy projects
• Able to perform research, write articles and present to an audience.

Other

• Willingness to travel to relevant project sites in Africa and industry events internationally.
• In addition to the duties mentioned above, the job holder is required to perform administrative duties related to a standard project management role.