Job description
Formative Search is partnering with a leading global private equity firm specializing in infrastructure and energy investments to recruit a Development Manager for their battery energy storage system (BESS) platform in Japan.
This position involves identifying, acquiring, and securing suitable sites for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in Japan. The successful candidate will oversee the entire land acquisition process, from sourcing to permitting, and will collaborate with various stakeholders to advance projects from early development to construction-ready status.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee comprehensive project development strategy for BESS sites across Japan
- Lead permit applications with both local and central government agencies to advance projects to the construction phase
- Manage relationships with land contractors, brokers, and developers
- Strategize and implement land/project acquisition activities with clear progress monitoring
- Analyze data and present actionable insights on status, progress, issues, and solutions
- Contribute recommendations during planning sessions and strategic meetings
- Prepare and manage land acquisition budgets
- Identify and acquire project sites, including land use rights, road access, and transmission rights
- Conduct thorough due diligence on land-related documentation
- Draft and negotiate framework agreements with landowners and brokers
- Develop detailed schedules for project milestones and key deliverables
- Secure long-term land rights with proper registration and documentation
- Ensure proper annotation of shareholders' and lenders' security interests in project properties
- Coordinate with financing teams to meet all land-related requirements for project financing
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required (any discipline)
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in land management and acquisition
- Experience with land identification and navigating complex permit processes, including land conversion, reclassification, and environmental permits
- Understanding of Japanese land rights, zoning regulations, and permitting requirements
- Experience working with energy infrastructure projects preferred
- Strong negotiation and relationship management abilities
- Detail-oriented with excellent documentation management skills
- Experience working with government agencies and navigating regulatory processes
- Ability to evaluate land suitability for technical requirements of BESS projects
If you would like to apply for this position, please send your most recent CV to Lily@formativesearch.com.