Director - Site Development

Thea Energy

$125K — $230K *
Real Estate & Construction
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of relevant experience in site selection and project development in deep tech or energy sectors.
  • Proven success in negotiating state and local incentives and funding.
  • Knowledge of legal and regulatory frameworks related to zoning and permits.
  • Experience with large-scale infrastructure projects.
  • Process-driven with a focus on speed and execution.
  • Strong communication skills, particularly in negotiation settings.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment.
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

  • Define and oversee site selection criteria based on technical and resource needs.
  • Negotiate state and local incentives, tax credits, and grants for projects.
  • Act as the main contact for local governments on regulatory compliance.
  • Engage with local stakeholders to build relationships for project support.
  • Identify and manage risks associated with land use and environmental assessments.
  • Ensure that siting processes align with technical and stakeholder needs.
  • Maintain schedules and cost benchmarks for all project phases.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Employee equity stock options to share in company success.
  • Generous paid time off of 20 days to support work-life balance.
Full Job Description
Key Responsibility Areas:

  • Define and manage technical and resource-based site selection criteria.
  • Identify, evaluate, and lead negotiations for state and local incentive packages, tax credits, and infrastructure grants.
  • Serve as the primary liaison with state and local governments to navigate regulatory frameworks and permitting processes.
  • Lead local stakeholder outreach to build community relationships and secure the local stakeholder trust required for a first-of-a-kind fusion energy project.
  • Proactively identify and manage risks related to land use, zoning, and environmental impact assessments.
  • Align the siting process with technical requirements and company stakeholders to ensure site readiness and compatibility.
  • Establish and maintain schedule and cost baselines for siting, incentives, land acquisition, and construction phases.


Ideal Experience & Skillsets:

  • 10+ years of relevant work experience driving site selection, first of a kind construction project development, or government affairs within deep tech, energy, hardware, or aerospace.
  • Proven track record of successfully negotiating and securing complex state and local incentive packages or non-dilutive government funding.
  • Comfort interfacing with legal and regulatory frameworks; able to effectively partner with counsel to navigate zoning ordinances, term sheets, and incentive contracts.
  • Experience with complex and capital intensive infrastructure development cycles.
  • Highly structured and process-driven, with a speed and execution mindset and the ability to manage competing priorities across internal teams and external stakeholders.
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, particularly in public-facing or sensitive negotiation settings.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.
  • Bachelor's degree or greater in a relevant technical, legal, or policy field.


Company Benefits:

  • Salary range $125,000-$230,000
  • Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
  • Employee equity stock options
  • 20 days PTO


Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Thea Energy

More Real Estate & Construction Jobs

Find similar Director - Site Development jobs: