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Salary: USD 125,000 - 230,000 / annual
Thea Energy is seeking a Director of Commercial Development to lead site selection and development strategy for a first-of-a-kind fusion energy project. This is a strategic leadership role focused on identifying optimal project sites, securing government incentives and funding, navigating regulatory frameworks, and building community stakeholder relationships.
Key Responsibilities:
- 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 primary liaison with state and local governments to navigate regulatory frameworks and permitting processes
- Lead local stakeholder outreach to build community relationships and secure trust for the 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
This role requires up to 50% travel.
Requirements:
- 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; ability 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 speed and execution mindset and 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
