Senior Project Development Manager

The Role

As a Senior Project Development Manager you will play an integral role in the development and growth of the projects portfolio deploying our new and innovative proprietary aerobrew sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production technology. You will develop field projects accompanying the technology development which are a fundamental element of the commercialisation of the technology as well as scale-up projects that follow. This will include all phases of project development from initiation to investment decisions.

You will be at the heart of the commercialisation and expansion of a new technology that will help to solve one of the toughest engineering challenges in the global energy transition, namely the decarbonisation of aviation. By supporting Metafuels’ to achieve its ambition of enabling affordable aviation for all without it costing the earth, you will have a measurable positive impact on the future of our society and planet. 

The Responsibility

Your principal objectives are the initiation and development of first-of-a-kind and further scale-up projects in cooperation with strategic partners as a key part of Metafuels’ business strategy. You will develop projects following a stage-gated front end loading (FEL) approach. At all stages you will ensure the efficient progress and integration of all FEL workstreams to ensure that comprehensive documentation is available in a timely manner for gated go/no go decisions. 

You will report directly to the Head of Project Development. 

Job Description

You will manage, perform or coordinate the following activities:

• Identify and secure strategic partners and investors for the first projects to be deployed based on aerobrew technology so-called “Pioneer Projects” for the scale up and demonstration of the technology from TRL5/6 to TRL 8/9
• Initiate and develop commercial growth projects scaling up from the Pioneer projects together with Strategic Partners as strategic commercialisation and investment opportunities.
• Identify potential sites hosting aerobrew projects;
• Develop, negotiate, and close project development agreements between strategic partners/investors;
• Together with the CCO and Head of Project Development agree the project development approach for each identified project and identify project development team needs and timings including organisation, consultants, advisors, etc.
• Lead the project development of assigned projects through all front end loading (FEL) phases and drive project development through to final investment decisions (FID);
• In coordination with the Head of Project Development, assemble and manage the project development team and ensure that the right resources are available at all stages for each FEL workstream including overall management & coordination; commercial/legal, technical definition/estimating, financing/capital formation, consenting & approvals;
• Steer the assigned projects through FEL gate reviews and ensure that decisions (go/no go and investment decisions) can be made based on complete and contemporary information;
• Identify, develop and secure grant funding for assigned projects where available;
• Work closely with the Head of Project Development and executive management team to ensure alignment with company strategies, to obtain necessary approvals, and to secure required cross company input in support of the FEL workstreams;
• Foster and maintain good relations with all strategic partners involved in projects and develop for approval project development modus operandi and communication requirements.

Skills and Requirements

• BSc, MSc, or Dipl. Ing. in engineering – chemical engineering or process engineering an advantage.
• At least five (5) years of project development experience in industrial or renewable energy projects.
• Prior experience in commercialization of new technology developments an advantage
• Excellent stakeholder management communication and leadership skills working with multi-disciplined teams
• Enthusiasm, professionalism, and desire to make a difference in a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions world.
• Fluent in English both written and spoken.
• Excellent IT skills using Microsoft suite of applications.

Company description

Metafuels is a start-up company founded by three experienced energy professionals. The company has developed a power to fuels process, aerobrew, for the production of sustainable aviation fuel starting with renewable power and sustainably sourced CO₂. The company is engaging with various strategic partners for the development of the Pioneer projects that will produce the first aerobrew sustainable aviation fuel for the market and preparing the ground for follow-on scale up projects. The company has a relaxed informal style but has a steely determination to achieve its objectives.

Location: The position will be based in Switzerland in the Zürich area.