Senior Developer

Leap29 are working closely with a successful renewable energy developer in South Africa. My client has extensive knowledge and experience in developing, financing, constructing and operating utility scale renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, gas to power, BESS and transmission infrastructure and are searching for a Senior Developer to join their growing team.

The Senior Developer will be ultimately responsible for ensuring that projects are developed and reach financial close within budget and timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement wind and/or solar projects from site control stage through to financial close, managing technical, commercial, and financial workstreams
• Ensure timely acquisition of all project rights including permits, consents, land, and leases.
• Lead the development of technical concepts and solutions of the projects, identifies optimal solutions from a technical, commercial and execution perspective including civil, mechanical, and electrical aspects of solar PV and wind plants, interconnection and high-voltage design and yield assessments.
• Lead interactions with local interest groups, landowners, I&APs during EIA processes
• Assist PPA/offtake teams to bid, and secure PPA and assist with related matters.
• Manage the compliance of consent and lease obligations and ensure timely acquisition of all project rights including permits, consents, land & leases.
• Create and maintain strong relations with local communities, landowners, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders
• Leading the project interface between the various work packages (finance, legal, technical, permitting, grid connection, etc.)
• Manage junior developers

Key Tasks

• Secure all project permits & consents to enable project progress according to schedule

• Secure acquisition, servitude, and lease agreements of required land parcels

• Ensure communication and engagement of stakeholders to ensure local project support enabling a smooth development process

• Interface with the Off-Take team to drive the Power Purchase Agreement process

• Co-ordinate with REIPPP & Commercial Bid Manager and/or Senior Business Developer (who will do the bid co-ordination) and be responsible for putting their respective bids together and will have ultimate responsibility for preparing the inputs into the financial model.

• Ensure inputs are updated and have ultimate responsibility of financial model.

• Provide project progress reporting to internal stakeholders and shareholders
• Provide budget, risk, and schedule updates within development activities

Skills and Education

• Master's degree in engineering, project management or other relevant field
• 7+ years’ experience working with large renewable energy projects
• Experience from similar role with same level of responsibility and tasks
• Strong project management, communication, and relationship skills towards external project stakeholders to ensure project progress
• Leadership skills to be able to manage junior developers