About the Role

A leading asian renewable energy platform is seeking a Senior Project Development Manager to lead the origination and development of greenfield solar, wind, and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects across Japan. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional passionate about accelerating the clean energy transition through strategic project development and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Project Origination & Development

• Lead end-to-end development of utility-scale solar, wind, and BESS projects to ready-to-build (RTB) status.
• Conduct site feasibility studies and manage land acquisition, permitting, and regulatory compliance.
• Secure land for substations and transmission infrastructure.

Permitting & Regulatory Compliance

• Obtain all necessary permits, licenses, and approvals for construction and grid interconnection.
• Navigate land conversion policies, forest land approvals, and environmental impact assessments (EIAs).
• Coordinate with relevant authorities for applications such as FIP and LTDA.

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with local developers, authorities, consultants, and joint venture partners.
• Facilitate communication with communities and government bodies at all levels.

Project Coordination & Risk Management

• Collaborate with internal teams (engineering, legal, finance, construction) to optimize development strategies.
• Identify and mitigate risks while ensuring alignment with budget and timelines.

Financial & Contractual Oversight

• Support project finance activities including lender due diligence and disbursements.
• Finalize development service contracts and manage contractor performance.

Reporting & Strategic Planning

• Prepare and manage development budgets and schedules.
• Provide regular updates to leadership on project milestones and strategic progress.

Qualifications & Skills

• Degree or postgraduate qualifications in Engineering, Commerce, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• 10-15 years of experience in energy project development, preferably in solar, wind, or other renewables.
• Strong network with local developers and market participants in Japan.
• Proven ability to originate and assess commercial transactions and project opportunities.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage timelines, risks, and cross-functional inputs.
• Experience in managing technical and regulatory discussions with internal teams and external agencies.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and results-driven mindset.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills.
• Fluency in Japanese and English.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Willingness to travel within Japan as required.

What's Offered

• Competitive base salary with performance-based bonuses.
• Flexible hybrid work model.
• Comprehensive group health insurance.
• Career development and training opportunities.