Position: Project Development Manager
Employment Type: Permanent
Department: BD & Commercial
Location: Sydney, NSW

Changing how we live today
to help secure our future.

About Gentari Solar Australia

Grow with Gentari. Empower your journey. Shape the future.

As Gentarians, our passion for sustainability fuels our mission to solve the world’s most pressing energy needs. What makes us different is how we work—collaboratively, boldly, and with trust.

We believe in the power of connection. Our teams actively seek out opportunities to work together, united by shared goals and a commitment to innovation. We empower our people with the freedom and autonomy to choose how they work best, encouraging creativity and fresh thinking.

At the heart of Gentari is our people. We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to grow—professionally and personally. We champion equal opportunity, ensuring that every Gentarian has access to meaningful career paths, regardless of background or identity. We also uphold transparency in our processes and decisions, building a culture of openness and mutual respect.

Together, let’s help put clean energy into action.

 About the role

The Project Development Manager leads the origination and progression of utility‑scale renewable energy projects—particularly wind and battery storage—from early greenfield identification through due diligence, planning & environmental approvals, land access, grid liaison, and readiness for shovel‑ready/RTB status. The role integrates environmental risk management into the core development workflow, coordinating with landowners, communities, environmental consultants, planning authorities, AEMO and Network Service Providers to de‑risk projects and meet portfolio growth targets. The Development Manager also steers development budgets/resources and contributes to portfolio and resourcing strategy while ensuring that key development items transition smoothly into construction.

Responsibilities

Project Origination & Greenfield Prospecting

• Identifying and prospecting greenfield opportunities aligned with company’s development strategy.
• Undertake due diligence on potential developments, including site travel and desktop assessments.

Land Access & Stakeholder Engagement

• Meet and work with landowners to secure land via option/lease/purchase agreements; manage negotiations and relationships.
• Engage with planning authorities, environmental groups, community groups, as well as grid operators and other relevant stakeholders to build support and manage concerns.

Site Selection & Technical Interface

• Site identification and selection, assess technical specifications, land plans and encumbrances, and shape preliminary designs.
• Liaise with AEMO and Network Service Providers through connection processes, as well as tender award bodies (e.g. for LTESA, CIS).

Planning & Environmental Approvals

• Assist with planning and environmental risk assessments; manage consultants for surveys and studies.
• Prepare and submit Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), planning applications, and grid connection applications.

Development Delivery & Handover to Construction

• Managing key project development items that overlap into the construction of the project
• Proactively resolve issues to achieve shovel‑ready status ahead of FID and Financial Close milestones.

Budgeting, Resourcing & Portfolio Strategy

• Prepare and manage development budgets and resources; contribute to portfolio and resourcing strategy.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years in Australian RE project development (wind/BESS) with exposure from early identification to RTB/Shovel‑Ready/FID.
• Degree in Planning, Science, Engineering, Environmental or related discipline.
• Proven experience in greenfield development across Australian jurisdictions.
• Understanding of planning and environmental impact assessment requirements across Australian jurisdictions.
• Experience liaising with AEMO, Network Service Providers and tender award bodies (e.g. for LTESA, CIS).
• GIS/Mapping skills advantageous.
• Strong project management skills, highly organised.
• Landowner negotiation experience (options, leases, purchases).
• Proficient in Outlook, Word, Excel, MS Project.
• Experience with large organisations/MNCs and global processes/approvals (HQ in Europe/Asia).
• Initiative and confidence to work autonomously, current driver’s licence.
• Willingness to travel (up to ~50%) domestically/internationally as project stages require; presently working in Australia.
• Strong communication skills.