Director of Development – New York (Hybrid)

About Aries

Aries Clean Technologies builds, owns, and operates sustainable, industrial-scale waste disposal facilities serving municipal biosolids clients. Our technology recovers the energy in biosolids waste while eliminating harmful “forever chemicals” such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), resulting in greener, healthier communities.

Our mission is to lead the way in sustainable waste management by leveraging our proprietary gasification technology to convert biosolids into renewable energy and valuable byproducts. Our purpose is clear: To provide innovative, environmentally friendly solutions that address the challenges of biosolids waste disposal. We aim to create a positive impact on the environment and the communities we serve by reducing pollution, promoting sustainability, enhancing public health, and supporting economic growth.

Today, Aries Clean Technologies is poised to make a lasting impact. With our first commercial scale biosolids gasification facility in Linden, NJ, we are on track to open three additional plants within the next four years. Our continued growth and innovation reflect our unwavering commitment to creating a cleaner, healthier future for all.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Director of Development, Mid-Atlantic is responsible for the full range of business and project development activities as more specifically described below to ensure Aries successfully builds projects in the region. The Director of Development, Mid-Atlantic identifies and secures biosolids feedstock supply sources, and shepherds each project, including its timeline, budget, and resources through Aries’ development stage gate process from creation of a financial pro-forma to Financial Investment Decision (FID). Following FID, the Director of Development, Mid-Atlantic supports colleagues and outside consultants to lead the project through engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), and into commercial operation. The Director of Development, Mid-Atlantic is expected to be one of the key relationship managers for Aries feedstock providers regionally.

The Director of Development, Mid-Atlantic leads efforts that ensure the Company’s projects in region have a strategy and tactics to secure feedstock supplies, and prospective sites are planned, sited, permitted, feedstock secured, and prepared for further front-end development in a manner that meets the performance requirements, schedule, and financial objectives established when the project is approved by senior leadership. This position is expected to work closely with Finance, Engineering, Legal, and Operations to ensure the successful development of high-quality projects.

The person should be able to work independently, act with the highest integrity, exercise independent judgment and decision-making, while weighing the interests of multiple stakeholders. The Director of Development, Mid-Atlantic has strong project management and attention to detail skills.

Responsibilities 

The successful candidate will lead projects in the following areas in collaboration with internal colleagues and outside consultants, to ensure that a project’s technical, financial, and environmental objectives are met:

• Feedstock:Develop and foster partnerships with feedstock providers to source biosolids feedstock for Aries’ existing facility in Linden, NJ, and future facilities in region, ensuring that planned facilities receive the quality, volume, and price of feedstock required. Monitor local and regional biosolids markets and competitors and determine Aries’s corresponding business strategy.
• Site control:Identify, select, and secure authorization to develop sites for the Company’s next facilities in the region, including land acquisition, utilities interconnection, and related activities.
• Political and social engagement:Collaborate with local sponsors, supporters, and consultants to develop community relationsand local support that showcases the benefits of an Aries facility.
• Permitting:Oversee the environmental and land use permitting and entitlements process, from understanding state, regional, and local requirements, to secure all entitlements for a facility within the shortest time practicable.
• Engineering: Collaborate closely with engineering in development of Front-End Loading (FEL) 1/2/3 designs in Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) that support Aries objectives.
• Financing:Lead the development and refinement of assumptions used in developing pro-forma financial models that illustrate the value of Aries facilities to investors. Identify, manage, and close financing solutions for an Aries facility in the region such as municipal and tax-exempt bonds and other agreements.
• Project Management:Manage development activities from initial concept through FID for prospective and active Aries projects within region, including tracking tasks, drafting written updates, and leading regular meetings and executive stage gate review presentations. Report to the Vice President of Development at regular intervals on all projects in region. Engage with Aries staff and outside consultants to ensure projects are progressing on schedule and within budget. Other duties as assigned.
• Travel:Role requires ability to travel, expected 25% of time and occasionally up to 50%.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in the biosolids industry, with first-hand experience working for biosolids feedstock industry players such municipal entities or the private sector firms who serve them. Demonstrated experience and understanding of the biosolids market in region is critical to the success of this position.
• 10+ years in Business Development, Project Management, or similar roles.
• Ideally, experience in gasification, pyrolysis, incineration, composting, or other traditional or emerging biosolids management technologies.
• Bachelor’s degree in business or technical field.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage employees at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite required; proficiency with project management software such as Asana preferred.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. The contents of this description are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

It is the policy of this organization to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, citizenship status, religious preference, or veteran status in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations