Company
8 Rivers is a Durham, NC firm focused on the invention, development, and commercialization of sustainable, infrastructure-scale solutions to global problems through impactful technologies. The company maintains the agility, creativity, and fast-paced environment of a start-up, while partnering with large, industry-leading companies to develop and deploy those technologies. Our process enables us to innovate in industrial fields that are lacking in creative disruption. 8 Rivers has demonstrated expertise in generating and commercializing large-scale, meaningful solutions to some of the most challenging problems facing the world today and across a variety of industries in the clean energy, carbon capture, and clean fuels sectors.
The company innovates widely in adjacent markets in the clean tech space. Some of our marquee technologies include the Allam-Fetvedt Cycle - a zero-emission power production system that enables low-cost power production with inherent carbon capture, 8RH2 - our innovative clean hydrogen technology utilizing CO2 convective reforming to achieve 99% carbon capture.
Opportunity
We're seeking a Commercial Director for infrastructure-scale, project origination. This is a senior role that involves leading the initial stages of project development, from identifying opportunities and conceptualizing projects to securing financing and ensuring projects are commercially viable. The Commercial Director must be adept at navigating complex regulatory environments, managing risks, and driving projects from conception to reality, contributing significantly to the company's growth and success.
Responsibilities
- Opportunity Identification: Surveying the market for new project opportunities that align with the company's strategic objectives and expertise. This involves analyzing market trends, regulatory changes, and competitor activities to identify potential projects.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with key stakeholders, including government entities, regulatory bodies, potential partners, and investors, to build support for project origination and development. This includes negotiating terms and conditions, securing permits, and ensuring stakeholder alignment.
- Financing and Investment: Identifying and securing financing options for new projects, including equity, debt, and grants. This involves preparing investment proposals, presenting to potential investors, and negotiating financing terms.
- Strategic Partnerships and Alliances: Establishing strategic partnerships and alliances with other companies, contractors, and suppliers to enhance project development capabilities and share risks.
- Project Conceptualization: Working with internal teams and external consultants to conceptualize projects based on identified opportunities and feasibility studies. This involves defining project scope, objectives, and requirements.
- Feasibility Studies: Leading the origination, contracting and overseeing the execution of feasibility studies to assess the technical, economic, and financial viability of potential projects. This includes overseeing market research, financial modeling, risk analysis, and regulatory compliance assessments. While maintaining and growing the relationship with the client.
- Team Leadership and Management: Leading a multidisciplinary team involved in project origination, including finance, legal, engineering, and business development professionals. This involves setting clear objectives, providing direction, and fostering a collaborative work environment to align internal resources for project generation and customer solutions.
- Risk Management: Identifying potential risks associated with project origination and implementing strategies to mitigate these risks. This includes conducting risk assessments and developing contingency plans.
- Project Handover: Once projects are fully conceptualized and financing is secured, overseeing the handover of projects to project management or execution teams, ensuring they have all the necessary information and resources to move forward.
- Market and Regulatory Analysis: Staying abreast of industry trends, market demands, and regulatory changes that could impact project development opportunities. This involves continuous learning and adaptation to ensure the company remains competitive and compliant.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Science field (with graduate level degree desired), demonstrated experience in business/entrepreneurial endeavors and 12+ years relevant experience in commercial roles (sales, business development, project finance) within the energy, utilities or clean technology industries.
- Proficient at understanding requirements and information needed for successful project financial close.
- Deep and broad understanding of the power industry landscape, including market dynamics, related regulations, and emerging carbon capture technologies.
- Track record of originating and successfully executing large-scale energy projects, demonstrating a strong technical and commercial acumen.
- Project management experience in the energy sector, with the ability to navigate complex projects and drive them to successful completion.
- Well-versed with technical and commercial aspects and attention to detail.
- Possesses superior organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects opportunities.
- Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Possess an understanding of thermodynamics and statistics.
- Manage confidential information professionally and with discretion.
- Comfortable working as part of a multidimensional team.
- Demonstrate a solid understanding of legal terminology.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or Chemistry, or a related technical preferred. Proof of entrepreneurial experience preferred, MBA or related economic or financial field acceptable if the candidates has proven commercial experience.
- In-depth knowledge of energy and chemical process project financing mechanisms, including tax equity, tax credits, and carbon offsets.
- Experience in developing and managing joint ventures, partnerships, and alliances in the energy sector.
Top Skills
What We Do
We develop sustainable, infrastructure-scale solutions to help companies and governments profitably achieve their NET ZERO aspirations, as well as addressing other important societal problems.
We use a unique model to commercialize technologies in “Blue Oceans” – fields that are lacking in creative disruption and outside thinking. From creating new ideas to helping large corporations solve old problems, our ecosystem and process guide how we think.
The current 8 Rivers portfolio includes NET Power, CARBON8, 8RH2, TarT, Calcite (DAC), and CODOX (clean ethylene).
