Head of Development

Welcome to Kløden Executive Search

We are an international executive search company specializing in Energy Transition, Infrastructure, and Defence sectors across Central & Eastern Europe.

Our promise to Clients

We always deliver excellence in the search & assessment of candidates.

Our promise to Candidates

We rigorously protect the confidentiality of your interest in our consulting services and recruitments.

We are on a mission

To recruit talented managers into well-managed and fair companies that are building a sustainable and safe world.

Meet our Client

Our client is a Polish-German family investment office investing in the finance and energy sectors. Since 2020, the office has been a greenfield developer of renewable energy projects in Poland, dedicated to maximizing green energy production while minimizing environmental impact.

Thanks to private capital involvement and the boutique character of the company, the employer offers their staff exceptional opportunities for personal and career growth.

The company is committed to advancing Poland's energy transformation by creating sustainable and efficient renewable energy solutions. Our client aims to develop wind energy, solar power, and energy storage systems. Their mission is to identify, develop, and accelerate energy projects that generate maximum power output with minimal environmental disruption. The company oversees the entire lifecycle of renewable energy projects., from securing land to final construction and operation, ensuring the highest standards of efficiency and safety.

Range of services:

• Land leasing

• Project Acquisition

• Full project development

• Turnkey construction management of photovoltaic farms

Meet our Client's job opportunity

The objective of the Head of Project Development is to ensure the successful development of renewable energy projects (such as large-scale high-voltage solar PV, energy storage and wind power) from site evaluation to RtB. The focus is on delivering projects efficiently, on time, and within budget, while ensuring long-term financial success for the company. The primary goal is to deliver at least (more information will be provided to candidates during the recruitment interviews)

Detailed objectives include:

• Developing a profitable project portfolio: Identifying and implementing high-potential projects and strategically advancing them to the ready-to-build (RtB) stage.
• Efficient project management: Ensuring that projects are completed according to schedule and within budget while minimizing risks during the development phase.
• Land acquisition and negotiations: Successfully negotiating land lease agreements and securing suitable sites to ensure long-term project viability.
• Compliance and permits: Ensuring that all projects meet regulatory requirements and obtaining all necessary permits and environmental assessments in a timely manner.
• Stakeholder management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, such as landowners, authorities, local communities, investors, and other relevant partners, to support the successful execution of projects.
• Team leadership and development: Building a high-performing team capable of achieving project development goals and fostering a collaborative and productive environment to ensure team members can effectively fulfill their roles.

Job Title: Head of Development – Renewables

Location: Warsaw, Poland

Responsibilities:

• Strategic development and management of a renewable energy project portfolio (large-scale high-voltage solar PV, energy storage, and at the next stage wind projects) – from the initial phase to the start of construction, covering organizational, formal, and technical aspects;
• Initiating, coordinating, and managing the land acquisition strategy for large-scale HV solar PV, energy storage, and at the next stage wind farms;
• Identification, assessment, and qualification of high-potential investment locations, and securing land for renewable energy projects, along with the accompanying infrastructure;
• Supporting negotiations with landowners, contractors, and other external vendors to secure favorable terms and agreements;
• Developing schedules, supervising the quality and timeliness of projects, including managing project development budgets and risk mitigation strategies, to achieve the set goals and milestones;
• Conducting technical, environmental, and land use planning analysis for renewable energy projects at various stages of development;
• Providing proactive support, supervision, and coordination of work related to obtaining environmental impact decisions, as well as agreements, decisions, and documentation related to location and formal-legal procedures required for building permits;
• Establishing and nurturing strong relationships with key local decision-makers, including government representatives, regulatory bodies, and energy companies;
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with landowners, local authorities, and communities, as well as participating in public communication processes;
• Ensuring smooth collaboration with various stakeholders, including investors, financial institutions, and strategic partners in the renewable energy sector;
• Monitoring market trends and conducting market analysis, including assessing market dynamics and analyzing competition to identify opportunities, threats, and business development possibilities;
• Providing regular reports and presentations on business development activities, project progress, and key performance indicators;
• Building and leading a high-performing team of professionals, providing support, mentoring, and fostering a collaborative work environment;
• Managing teams involved in the renewable energy project development process, with full responsibility for leading them at every stage – from site analysis to obtaining all necessary approvals, decisions, and permits, ensuring compliance with legal regulations;
• Expanding the network of potential contractors and representing the company at trade fairs, conferences, and other events.

Key Requirements:

• At least 5 years of experience in a leadership position in the renewable energy sector;
• Higher education in engineering, business, finance, law, or energy;
• Proven successful track record in initiating, developing, and delivering renewable energy projects from the initial phase to construction or financial close;
• Deep understanding of the renewable energy sector, including market trends, political and regulatory frameworks, project development, and investment issues;
• Practical knowledge of high-voltage projects, building law, the Spatial Planning and Development Act, the Environmental Protection Act, and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures;
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver results on time and within budget;
• Strong leadership skills with a hands-on mentality and experience in managing multiple teams;
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders;
• Strategic thinking with the ability to identify opportunities, assess risks, and develop creative solutions to complex challenges;
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess financial data, conduct market analysis, and evaluate project feasibility;
• Proficiency in both Polish and English is required, and knowledge of German would be an advantage;
• Willingness to travel for business purposes;
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to a dynamic and rapidly changing environment;
• A valid category B driving license.

What We Offer:

• Possibility to build the company's position in the Polish market
• Autonomy in action
• Flexible type of work model (Hibrid)
• Base salary, milston bonuse scheem, exit bonus
• Employee benefits
• Company car for private use: Audi Q5
• B2B or Labour Law contract

Apply now to make a difference