Senior Project Developer

Posted Yesterday
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Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, ZAF
In-Office
Senior level
Energy • Solar • Renewable Energy
The Role
Lead the development and de-risking of utility-scale renewable energy projects from early feasibility through financial close. Responsibilities include managing land, permitting, environmental, grid, stakeholder, commercial, and project risk workstreams; coordinating consultants and internal teams; securing statutory approvals; managing budgets and schedules; and presenting governance updates. The role covers wind, solar PV, battery storage, and grid infrastructure projects in South Africa, while mentoring junior developers.
Summary Generated by Built In
Overview

Senior Project Developer - Greenfields

Cape Town, South Africa

At Scatec, you get to work on something that matters. We develop, build, own, and operate renewable energy solutions that accelerate access to reliable and affordable clean energy. As part of a global and agile organisation, you will work with skilled colleagues across functions and geographies, take real ownership, and contribute to a company driven by the vision of improving our future.

At the heart of everything we do is our belief that we bring the energy - the energy for change, connection, and growth. It shapes how we collaborate, innovate, and create impact together.

If you are looking for a role where your contribution is visible, your development matters, and your work supports a more sustainable future, Scatec may be the right place for you.

Ready to make an impact?


Why this role matters

As a Senior Project Developer - Greenfields, you will lead the development and de-risking of utility-scale renewable energy projects from early-stage origination through to financial close. You will play a key role in ensuring that projects are technically, environmentally, socially, commercially, and legally viable by coordinating critical workstreams across land, permitting, grid, environmental, stakeholder, and internal development activities.

This role sits within the Greenfields Project Development team and provides senior development leadership across wind, solar photovoltaic, battery energy storage, and associated grid infrastructure projects. It is a strong opportunity for someone who enjoys complex project development, cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and seeing projects move from early concept to investment-ready stage.


What you'll be doing

As a Senior Project Developer, you will take ownership of key project development and de-risking activities, including:

  • Lead the development of greenfield renewable energy projects from pre-feasibility through to financial close
  • Manage project development workstreams including site screening, land acquisition, permitting, environmental approvals, grid processes, stakeholder engagement, and project de-risking
  • Coordinate Environmental Impact Assessments, Basic Assessments, Environmental Management Programmes, Water Use Licence Applications, land-use planning approvals, Section 53 approvals, municipal applications, and other statutory approval processes
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate key project development risks, including environmental, biodiversity, land, social, permitting, grid, community, lender, and schedule-related risks
  • Work closely with Engineering, Grid, Legal, Environmental, Social and Governance, Finance, Commercial, Procurement, Construction, and Asset Management teams to progress projects towards investment decision and financial close
  • Manage external consultants, environmental assessment practitioners, technical specialists, legal advisors, and other service providers to ensure quality, compliance, budget control, and delivery against project timelines
  • Support landowner, authority, municipality, community, and stakeholder engagements to secure project approvals and maintain positive relationships throughout the development lifecycle
  • Prepare and present project development updates, risk registers, permitting trackers, budgets, schedules, and decision papers for internal governance and approval processes

Your work will directly support the development of renewable energy projects that are ready for investment, financing, construction, and long-term impact.


What you'll gain

  • Senior-level ownership of complex renewable energy development workstreams
  • Exposure to utility-scale wind, solar photovoltaic, battery energy storage, and associated grid infrastructure projects
  • Broader commercial and technical understanding through close collaboration with cross-functional teams
  • The opportunity to influence project strategy, risk management, governance, and investment readiness
  • The chance to mentor and guide junior and mid-level project developers while supporting capability building within the Greenfields team

What you'll bring


Experience and qualifications

  • Approximately 8-12+ years' experience in renewable energy project development, environmental consulting, infrastructure development, permitting, land development, or a related field
  • Meaningful exposure to utility-scale wind, solar photovoltaic, battery energy storage, and/or grid infrastructure projects
  • A relevant degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Geography, Sustainable Development, Town and Regional Planning, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Law, Project Management, or a related discipline
  • Strong knowledge of South African environmental legislation, permitting processes, land-use approvals, and renewable energy development requirements
  • Experience working with internal stakeholders, external consultants, authorities, municipalities, landowners, communities, lenders, investors, or due diligence advisors
  • Fluent written and spoken English; Afrikaans and/or additional South African languages would be advantageous for stakeholder engagement

What it's like to work at Scatec


At Scatec, we combine purpose with performance. We value responsibility, clarity, and collaboration and we encourage people to challenge existing ways of working, contribute ideas, and keep developing. You can expect an environment where people work together across disciplines and geographies, where good performance matters, and where you are trusted to take ownership without unnecessary hierarchy.


If you are motivated by renewable energy development, complex project de-risking, stakeholder engagement, and building projects that support the energy transition, this could be a strong next step in your career.


What we offer


At Scatec, you will be part of a company with a clear and ambitious purpose, working on renewable energy solutions that make a lasting difference. You will gain responsibility early, learn from experienced colleagues, and build your capabilities in a business that offers global exposure, strong development opportunities, and meaningful work in the energy transition.

Scatec is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit, competence, and business needs.


We review applications on an ongoing basis.

Skills Required

  • Approximately 8–12+ years of experience in renewable energy project development, environmental consulting, infrastructure development, permitting, land development, or a related field
  • Experience with utility-scale wind, solar photovoltaic, battery energy storage, and/or grid infrastructure projects
  • Relevant degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Geography, Sustainable Development, Town and Regional Planning, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Law, Project Management, or a related discipline
  • Strong knowledge of South African environmental legislation, permitting processes, land-use approvals, and renewable energy development requirements
  • Experience working with internal stakeholders, external consultants, authorities, municipalities, landowners, communities, lenders, investors, or due diligence advisors
  • Fluent written and spoken English
  • Afrikaans and/or additional South African languages for stakeholder engagement
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The Company
1,054 Employees

What We Do

Scatec is a renewable energy solutions provider focused on accelerating access to reliable, affordable clean energy in emerging markets. The company develops, builds, owns, and operates renewable energy plants and projects, concentrating on utility-scale solar photovoltaic installations and battery storage. It also provides engineering, procurement, and construction, operations and maintenance, and asset-management services across five continents.

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