Business Development Manager – Utility-Scale Renewables & BESS

Business Development Manager – Utility-Scale Renewables & BESSLocation: Washington, DC | Full-time

About Zhero

Zhero is a global clean energy development platform focused on utility-scale solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), alongside interconnectors and emerging clean energy infrastructure.

Backed by leading industrial and institutional investors, Zhero is scaling its U.S. development platform with long-term capital and disciplined execution. We operate with a lean structure, high accountability, and strong entrepreneurial culture.

The Role

We are seeking a hands-on Business Development Manager to support the advancement of utility-scale renewable and battery storage projects from early-stage development through Ready-to-Build (RTB).

Reporting to the Head of Development, you will take direct ownership of projects within the U.S. pipeline and actively drive development workstreams including site control, interconnection, permitting coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

In addition to renewable and storage projects, the role provides support on strategic transmission and interconnector initiatives as the North American platform expands.

This is an execution-focused role suited for a developer who has already worked on utility-scale projects and is ready to take greater responsibility within a growing platform.

Key Responsibilities

·       Identify and originate new greenfield renewable and storage development opportunities.

·       Advance utility-scale Renewable Energy and standalone / hybrid BESS projects from early-stage through Ready-to-Build.

·       Manage the full development lifecycle from site identification through permitting, interconnection, and pre-construction readiness.

·       Negotiate and manage land agreements, amendments, and site control strategy.

·       Oversee and coordinate interconnection processes, including engagement with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, and technical consultants.

·       Support and manage permitting and environmental diligence workstreams.

·       Coordinate third-party advisors (engineering, environmental, legal, permitting) to maintain schedule and budget discipline.

·       Conduct market, regulatory, and site-level research and analysis to support development decisions.

·       Build and manage relationships with external developers, strategic partners, utilities, offtakers, and relevant institutions.

·       Support commercial structuring and offtake strategy (PPA, tolling agreements, capacity mechanisms).

·       Perform project-level economic and financial evaluations to support investment decisions.

·       Develop and maintain project development schedules, budgets, cash flow projections, and risk registers.

·       Engage local stakeholders and maintain constructive community relationships.

Profile & Experience

Experience:

·       3–5 years of direct experience in utility-scale renewable and battery storage project development.

·       Demonstrated exposure to interconnection and permitting processes.

·       Familiarity with U.S. power markets and ISO/RTO environments preferred.

·       Experience within a developer, or utility development team.

·       Experience with an IPP preferred.

Background:

·       Degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, Business or related field.

·       Experience in structured development environments with milestone-driven execution.

Skills & Mindset

·       Strong ownership mentality and willingness to take responsibility.

·       Hands-on, detail-oriented, and execution-driven.

·       Commercially aware and comfortable working with project economics.

·       Organized and capable of managing parallel development workstreams.

·       Effective communicator with strong stakeholder management skills.

·       Entrepreneurial mindset with desire to grow within a scaling platform.

Fluent English required.

Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation will be competitive and aligned with the candidate’s experience and demonstrated track record. The package includes base salary and performance-based incentives tied to development milestones and business objectives.

Benefits include:

·       401(k) retirement plan

·       Health insurance (medical, dental and vision)

·       Life and Short-term disability coverage

Why Join Zhero

·       Exposure to both renewable generation and large-scale energy infrastructure development, including BESS and transmission initiatives.

·       Direct exposure to senior leadership and decision-making.

·       Real ownership of projects within a growing platform.

·       Lean, entrepreneurial environment with institutional backing.

·       Clear professional growth trajectory as the platform scales.