Project Development Manager

Company Overview

Looking to have a meaningful impact on the world through cutting-edge cleantech on a global scale? Join LanzaJet, Inc., one of the world’s leading clean energy technology companies focused on decarbonizing the transportation sector. LanzaJet produces sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and sustainable diesel fuel through its patented technology and process. LanzaJet’s unique and innovative approach to produce certified, drop-in jet and diesel fuels using sustainably certified ethanol as the feedstock for an ASTM allowed pathway.

LanzaJet’s history started 15 years ago in New Zealand when LanzaTech was founded to develop carbon recycling technology. Over that period and by working with the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Lab, an innovative approach was developed, approved, and scaled to produce low-carbon jet and diesel fuels from ethanol feedstock. This creates localized feedstock solutions across the globe by leveraging waste sources as the commodity for ethanol production.

The launch of LanzaJet, with financial contributions from our investors Suncor Energy, Mitsui, LanzaTech, and support from ANA, has set the stage for the accelerated commercialization of LanzaJet’s proprietary sustainable fuels technology. LanzaJet’s first commercial-scale refinery in Georgia is in the final design, with production planned to start in 2023. Three additional commercial-scale low-carbon fuel refineries are planned by 2025, creating a cumulative production of 100 million gallons of low-carbon jet and diesel fuels – a nearly 10x increase to the amount of sustainable aviation fuel available in the market today. LanzaJet is partnering with companies worldwide to strategically advance the deployment of its technology in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East.

Join a fast-growing, innovative company with a global and long-lasting impact by sustainably fueling the future!

Job Description

As a member of the Project Development team, the Project Development Manager will report to Director, Project development and will assume a key role in the planning, development, and execution of the company’s strategic objectives.

As Project Development Manager, you will lead, develop, execute, and implement exciting, new-to-the-world projects involving the production and supply of sustainable fuels, both for internal LanzaJet projects and for LanzaJet customers.

About the Role

• Responsible for all phases of the project lifecycle from feasibility through to fully operating commercial-scale facilities, this position will lead multiple projects and initiatives at any given time.
• Coordinating with a cross-functional global team is essential to ensure that robust project management processes are followed, resulting in timely and accurate project execution.
• This role will also guide on all disciplines (business development, technology, engineering, legal, finance, etc.) assigned to projects and be the focal point between LanzaJet and external partners responsible for project development, engineering design, permitting, regulatory, logistics, financing, procurement, construction, and initial commissioning & operation.
• Ideally you have significant exposure and understanding of the key elements of project financing such as feedstock supply, product offtake, site/service arrangements, and permitting and you have rich experience in project management, especially with engineering and construction projects in the energy, biorenewables chemicals and/or fuels sectors, with a background in chemical engineering or chemistry.
• As you manage new and exciting projects, you will work alongside internal technical, finance and business development teams, customers, external partners, central and local governments, and engineering contractors. You will be responsible for planning, optimizing, and executing complex multimillion-projects, for which you will be accountable for on time and cost-effective delivery.
• The Project Development Manager will have direct responsibility for customer/partner communications and full responsibility for management of internal activities with minimal supervision/guidance in coordination with the LanzaJet management team.
• This position is responsible for managing the project development timeline including key project financing milestones, cost/capex, project scope, supply chain, and schedule, and requires significant and detailed understanding of project financials analyses, resource allocation, change order management, and scheduling.
• This position requires frequent travel to client/partners and vendor facilities and project sites as required for meetings, reviews, and client support.

Key duties

• Manage projects from feasibility to completion with a keen focus on exceeding LanzaJet and client expectations.
• Identify and align with LanzaJet and client goals, objectives, and expectations
• Professionally manage internal/client communication and problem resolution
• Liaise with project partners and government monitoring officers on grant-funded projects.
• Direct internal project resources, coordinate meetings, and produce project reports
• Ensure project documentation and deliverables meet internal and client specifications
• Manage project budgets, schedules, risk registers and cost expenditures to ensure contractual requirements are met.
• Accurately forecast project duration and resource requirements
• Manage and review change order impacts on project budget and schedule
• Travel to client facilities and plant sites for meetings, project reviews, and equipment inspections

Required Qualifications

• Minimum BS in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or comparable engineering discipline. Advanced degree preferred
• 5+ years of project development, project execution and project management experience in the refining, chemical, or biorenewables industries
• 5+ years of process design experience
• Proven experience developing and managing multimillion-dollar design and construction projects
• Demonstrated leadership, negotiation, and relationship building skills
• Proven experience negotiating contracts such as supply, offtake, engineering
• Proven experience in managing and evaluating equipment suppliers, engineering firms, and subcontractors to ensure project schedule, budget, and quality requirements are met
• Experience with quality control protocols throughout project execution
• Able to demonstrate effective coordination, planning and organizational skills.
• Skilled in MS Office suite and MS Project
• Excellent interpersonal (written and oral) skills, possessing a high degree of professionalism and customer service
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to apply project management fundamentals and industry best practices to solve problems
• Proactively support continuous improvement processes by developing and recommending changes
• Prioritize, organize and effectively manage project team's work
• Assist business development, engineering, and other teams with technical recommendations
• Provide leadership to the project execution team
• A valid passport is required

Preferred/Valued

• Experience with oil & gas, process development, and/or process operations in a hydrocarbon manufacturing facility
• Experience licensing technology, and executing projects with technology licensors and/or EPC companies
• Prior plant engineering, construction, commissioning, and start-up/operations experience
• Track record of taking on big challenges and striving to change the world

Work Environment

• Able to work remotely and in a general office environment
• Up to 30% of travel is required. Some travel may be required for extended periods to support projects during peak periods.

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