About the job

Formative has partnered with a leading BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) developer in Japan, backed by a top-tier private equity fund, to appoint a Project Development Manager.
 
This role will drive the end-to-end development of BESS projects — from greenfield origination through permitting and construction — with a strong focus on project financing, navigating Japan’s regulatory framework, and managing engagement with stakeholders across local, prefectural, and national levels.
 
 
Key Responsibilities

• Identify development risks and prepare due diligence checklists covering critical permits and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support project financing activities, including preparing inputs for financial models, coordinating technical and permitting deliverables, and managing lender due diligence processes.
• Lead discussions with local and prefectural authorities to clarify and streamline approval processes.
• Manage permitting workstreams to secure all authorisations required for project development and construction.
• Oversee permit and community-related due diligence for acquisition-stage projects.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with landowners, community leaders, and government stakeholders.
• Report project timelines, milestones, and risks clearly to internal teams and senior management.
• Conduct site visits and manage on-the-ground development activities across Japan.

 
Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, business, or related discipline (advanced degree preferred).
• 5+ years’ experience in renewable energy project development within Japan (solar, wind, storage, or related).
• Strong track record managing due diligence for both greenfield and acquisition projects.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Native or near-native fluency in Japanese, with strong English proficiency.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel regularly to project sites across Japan.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CVs to [email protected]

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