Junior Project Development Manager (NZ)

About the company

Aquila Clean Energy APAC is a clean energy platform that finances, develops, constructs and operates utility-scale solar PV, onshore wind and battery storage projects across the Asia Pacific. The organisation is focused on helping accelerate the shift to a lower-carbon energy system and building a more sustainable future.

Role overview

Based in Auckland and reporting to the Senior Project Development Manager, this on-site role supports the development of renewable energy projects in Aotearoa New Zealand. The position is focused on helping projects move efficiently from early-stage development through to construction readiness and delivery.

What you will do

• Contribute to the progression of Aquila’s solar, wind and storage development pipeline in New Zealand.
• Provide day-to-day coordination across internal and external project development workstreams, including site reviews, planning, consent management, environmental assessments, stakeholder engagement, grid and market activities, and design coordination.
• Work with cross-functional internal teams such as Investment, Engineering, Construction, Finance, Community, ESG, Legal, Procurement and Communications.
• Liaise with development partners and outside consultants to keep project activities moving forward.
• Support relationship management and engagement with landowners, communities, iwi, councils and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assist in sourcing and assessing new project opportunities, including commercial and technical feasibility inputs for investment decision-making.
• Maintain internal project systems, records, filing structures, reporting tools and contract administration processes.

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate is motivated by the energy transition and has the experience needed to manage multiple development tasks in parallel. A background in renewable energy, infrastructure or utilities will be an advantage, along with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and work confidently across project management systems and contract workflows.

Additional requirements

Applicants must already have the legal right to work in New Zealand. A valid driver’s licence is required, together with the ability to travel within New Zealand and Australia when needed.

Requirements

• Passion for driving positive change through the energy transition.
• Eligibility to work in New Zealand without sponsorship.
• Tertiary study in Engineering, Town and Regional Planning, Environmental Planning, Commerce, Business Management or Science is preferred.
• At least 3 years’ experience in project development or project management, ideally in energy or infrastructure.
• Exposure to renewable energy projects, especially solar, wind or storage, is preferred; experience in infrastructure or energy utilities is also valuable.
• Proven ability to manage several development tasks at the same time.
• Hands-on experience with project tracking tools and software such as Monday.com, MS Project and Excel for monitoring progress, budgets and timelines.
• Background in contract management involving consultants, developers, contractors and project service providers.
• Solid understanding of environmental and social risk factors relevant to renewable energy developments.
• Strong communication skills with internal leaders, external partners, landowners, government representatives, utility stakeholders and community members.
• Working knowledge of New Zealand regulations and resource consent processes.
• Knowledge of the New Zealand energy market would be an advantage.
• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel within New Zealand and Australia as required.

What this role involves in practice

This position combines project coordination, stakeholder management, feasibility support, documentation control and contract administration within a renewable energy development environment.