Director - Site Development

Thea Energy

Kearny, New Jersey

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Aerospace and Defense, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Communication Skills, Community Relations, Construction, Construction Projects, Environmental Impact, Government, Government Funding, Government Regulations, Health Plan, Interpersonal Skills, Land Use, Legal, Local Government, Negotiation Skills, Project Development, Regulations, Risk Analysis, Risk Management, Schedule Development, Startup, State Government, Tax Credits, Technical Leadership, Writing Skills, Zoning
LOCATION
Kearny, New Jersey
POSTED
30+ days ago

Key Responsibility Areas:

  • Define and manage technical and resource-based site selection criteria.
  • Identify, evaluate, and lead negotiations for state and local incentive packages, tax credits, and infrastructure grants.
  • Serve as the primary liaison with state and local governments to navigate regulatory frameworks and permitting processes.
  • Lead local stakeholder outreach to build community relationships and secure the local stakeholder trust required for a first-of-a-kind fusion energy project.
  • Proactively identify and manage risks related to land use, zoning, and environmental impact assessments.
  • Align the siting process with technical requirements and company stakeholders to ensure site readiness and compatibility.
  • Establish and maintain schedule and cost baselines for siting, incentives, land acquisition, and construction phases.

Ideal Experience & Skillsets:

  • 10+ years of relevant work experience driving site selection, first of a kind construction project development, or government affairs within deep tech, energy, hardware, or aerospace.
  • Proven track record of successfully negotiating and securing complex state and local incentive packages or non-dilutive government funding.
  • Comfort interfacing with legal and regulatory frameworks; able to effectively partner with counsel to navigate zoning ordinances, term sheets, and incentive contracts.
  • Experience with complex and capital intensive infrastructure development cycles.
  • Highly structured and process-driven, with a speed and execution mindset and the ability to manage competing priorities across internal teams and external stakeholders.
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, particularly in public-facing or sensitive negotiation settings.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.
  • Bachelor's degree or greater in a relevant technical, legal, or policy field.

Company Benefits:

  • Salary range $125,000-$230,000
  • Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
  • Employee equity stock options
  • 20 days PTO
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

About the Company

T

Thea Energy