Director, Development & Operations

• Build a new development platform backed by executive investment
• Operate at the nexus of water, energy, and critical minerals

About Our Client

We are seeking a Director of Build, Own & Operate (BOO) - North America to lead the origination, development, and commercialization of complex industrial water and critical minerals projects-from concept to financial close. This role is central to shaping my clients long‑term BOO/BOOT strategy across the region and will work closely with senior global leadership, investors, and strategic partners.

Job Description

Key responsibilities included below -

• Identify greenfield/brownfield opportunities in water reuse, desalination, Industrial water/ wastewater and critical minerals recovery.
• Build and manage a sales funnel of high-potential projects using market data, industry trends, and stakeholder networks.
• Screen leads for technical viability, market demand, and alignment with company strategy.
• Qualify leads using criteria such as resource availability, permitting timelines, and ROI thresholds.
• Prepare pitch decks, proposals, and presentations for clients, partners, and investors.
• Convert opportunities into bankable projects by securing LOIs, MOUs, or binding agreements.
• Conduct pre-feasibility studies (technical, financial, environmental) to assess project risks/returns.
• Support building of financial models (NPV, IRR, DSCR) to evaluate project economics and funding requirements.
• Collaborate with engineers, consultants, and offtakers to validate design assumptions and commercial terms.
• Lead permitting efforts with federal/state agencies (EPA, USACE, BLM) and local communities.
• Negotiate term sheets with EPC contractors, technology providers, and offtakers.
• Engage investors, lenders, and grant agencies to secure financing (project finance, PPPs, grants).
• Interface with CFOs and financial advisors to structure debt/equity financing.
• Prepare sources & uses statements and support due diligence for lenders/investors.
• Ensure compliance with ESG standards (e.g., IFC Performance Standards) to attract sustainable capital.
• Relationship building with financiers, government agencies, partners, offtakers, consultants, etc.

The Successful Applicant

Qualifications -

• Education: Bachelor's in Civil/Environmental Engineering, Finance, or related field. MBA preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 15 years in infrastructure project development (water, mining, energy, renewable energy, fuels, RNG, or similar sectors).
• Candidate from platform Infrastructure development companies in past are preferred

• Proficiency/ understanding of financial modeling and feasibility studies.
• Knowledge of water treatment, renewable energy, or critical minerals extraction sector
• Familiarity with complex multi stakeholder infrastructure project development.
• Knowledge of project finance structures (e.g., non-recourse debt, tax equity).
• Familiarity with CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot) for pipeline tracking.
• Understanding of critical minerals or renewable energy supply chains
• Experience drafting term sheets, EPC contracts, and offtake agreements.
• Proven ability to manage sales pipelines and close complex deals.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, cross-functional collaboration, and negotiation expertise.

What's on Offer

Why Join?

• Play a foundational role in building a new development platform with significant executive investment.
• Work at the intersection of water, energy transition, and critical minerals-high‑growth sectors with global significance.
• Influence high-value industrial projects that support decarbonization and resource sustainability.
• Join a business with a strong global footprint, a 45‑year track record, and the agility of a scaling, PE‑backed platform.
• Be part of a team known for technical excellence, high execution capability, and long-term partnership with customers worldwide.

Contact

Gemma McDonald

Quote job ref

JN-032026-6962053