Project Development Lead, Renewable Energy

Location: Philippines
Discipline: Renewable Energy & Sustainability
Contact name: Dominic Tay
Contact email: dominic@hadros.co
Job ref: 1423941
Published: 13 days ago
hadros Recruitment is working with a leading Renewable Energy developer that is backed by one of the world's largest private equity funds, and they are looking for a Project Development Lead to originate, structure, and advance a pipeline of utility‑scale solar PV projects across the Philippines, from early-stage site origination through to construction readiness, in partnership with investors and stakeholders focused on the country’s energy transition. 

Role overview

The Project Development Lead – Utility‑Scale Solar (Philippines) will be responsible for originating, evaluating, and advancing a portfolio of ground‑mounted solar PV projects across the Philippines, with a focus on achieving financial close and construction start in line with the organisation’s growth targets. This role combines greenfield project origination, regulatory and permitting management, stakeholder engagement, and commercial structuring in a complex and rapidly evolving policy environment.
Working closely with regional leadership, technical, and investment teams, the Project Development Lead will shape country strategy, build and manage local relationships, and ensure projects comply with national energy, grid, and local permitting requirements. 

Key responsibilities
  • Originate and screen new utility‑scale ground‑mounted solar opportunities across the Philippines, aligned with the platform’s return profile, grid constraints, and strategic focus.
  • Lead the full greenfield development cycle for assigned projects, including site identification, land control, permitting, feasibility studies, and preparation for investment committee approval.
  • Coordinate land acquisition and land rights, including negotiations with landowners, community leaders, and local advisers, ensuring clear documentation and title.
  • Manage regulatory processes for solar project development, including application, maintenance, and progression of relevant service contracts or permits from pre‑development to development and commercial stages.
  • Oversee the permitting roadmap at national and local levels, including LGU endorsements, zoning and land conversion, environmental clearances, and building and electrical permits, in coordination with external consultants and internal teams.
  • Drive grid‑related workstreams, including commissioning and managing grid and system impact studies and interconnection agreements with transmission and/or distribution utilities, ensuring technical and commercial feasibility.
  • Work with engineering, commercial, and finance colleagues to prepare and update project feasibility studies, cost estimates, energy yield assessments, and project business cases to support internal approvals and investor requirements.
  • Support commercial strategy for each project, including identifying and securing offtake routes (e.g., bilateral PPAs, relevant market or retail programmes) in coordination with commercial and trading teams as applicable.
  • Lead and structure partnerships or joint ventures with local developers, land aggregators, EPCs, or other strategic counterparties where beneficial to project execution.
  • Build and maintain constructive relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, grid operators, regulators, environmental authorities, LGUs, local communities, and industry associations, representing the organisation as a credible long‑term partner in the Philippine energy transition.
  • Implement and champion a staged development approach, ensuring disciplined capital allocation, clear stage‑gates, and risk mitigation across technical, regulatory, land, and social dimensions.
  • Ensure compliance with internal HSE, ESG, and community engagement standards throughout project development, including alignment with investors’ sustainability and governance requirements.
  • Provide regular reporting on project status, key risks, and mitigation plans to regional management and investment partners, and support due diligence for potential project sales or project financing.
Candidate profile
  • 8–12 years of experience in power or infrastructure development, including at least 5 years directly leading development of utility‑scale solar or other renewable energy projects in the Philippines.
  • Proven track record taking ground‑mounted solar projects in the Philippines from early-stage origination through to late‑stage development (e.g., key permits obtained, grid studies completed, and project ready for financing or construction).
  • Strong understanding of Philippine renewable energy regulations and development processes, including relevant service contracts, licences, and guidelines under the country’s energy and renewable energy framework.
  • Working knowledge of grid integration issues for solar projects in the Philippines, including grid and system impact studies, interconnection approvals, and constraints at transmission and distribution level.
  • Strong commercial acumen and familiarity with project finance concepts, including the key drivers that enable projects to reach financial close and meet investor return requirements.
  • Excellent relationship‑building and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to work with landowners, LGUs, regulators, and commercial counterparties in a respectful and solutions‑oriented manner.
  • Comfortable working in an entrepreneurial, high‑growth environment with a staged, greenfield development approach and regional stakeholders.

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