Phillip Riley is delighted to have been retained by Capella Capital to help build a brand new,
best-in‐class renewable energy project development team in Australia. The mandate is to
build a mid‐to‐large scale Independent Power Producer (IPP) in Australia, with a diversified
portfolio of wind, solar and storage.
Capella Capital is one of Australia's most active infrastructure and energy platforms, known for
delivering complex, market‐shaping projects across transport and clean energy. The team has
originated over A$34bn worth of projects in Australia, including supporting ACEREZ on the
Central‐West Orana REZ transmission program in NSW. Now backed by Sojitz Corporation,
Capella combines start‐up momentum with institutional firepower - real capital, real projects,
and real scale behind the energy transition.
Brief Overview
Senior Development Manager, Energy
Location: Melbourne or Sydney
Short Description
Capella Energy is a newly formed energy development platform backed by global trading and
investment group Sojitz. Phillip Riley has been retained to help identify top talent in order to
build a brand new renewable energy project development team. An initial key hire is a
Senior Development Manager who will help shape the platform, operating model and Australian
development pipeline from day one. All applications will be directed through Anna Spain of
Phillip Riley.
Why This Role Matters
* Join a start‐up energy platform with institutional backing
* Help build a brand‐new development team, strategy and platform capability
* Lead greenfield and late‐stage project acquisition and joint ventures
* High‐autonomy role with direct exposure to investment decisions
* Reporting directly to the Head of Energy
Full Job Description
Capella Energy was established following Sojitz's investment in Capella Capital, creating a
renewable energy development platform with strong balance sheet support and a mandate to
build a scalable, diversified Independent Power Producer (IPP) in Australia spanning utility scale
wind, solar and storage.
Capella Energy intends to develop and retain a significant ownership position in a diversified
portfolio of renewable generation and storage assets, supported by long‐term institutional
capital through Sojitz. The platform is being established with a long‐term owner‐operator
mindset rather than a pure develop‐to‐sell model.
This is a rare opportunity to join a true platform formation stage. As Senior Development
Manager, Energy, you will play a foundational role in building the development function, shaping
Capella Energy's strategy, operating model and project pipeline. The role blends start‐up agility
with institutional capital, offering both autonomy and long‐term platform‐building exposure.
You will lead the end‐to‐end development of renewable generation and storage projects -
covering both greenfield origination and late‐stage acquisitions - and work closely with
investment, commercial and executive stakeholders to progress projects through to investment
approval and construction handover.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead projects from site identification through to investment approval and construction handover
* Build development processes, governance and consultant frameworks from first principles
* Manage budgets, schedules and development risk
Site, Technical & Grid
* Assess project feasibility across technical, commercial and regulatory criteria
* Lead grid connection strategy and engagement with NSPs and Australian Energy Market Operator
* Oversee feasibility studies, constraints mapping and yield modelling
Stakeholder & Approvals
* Lead planning, environmental and landowner processes
* Manage community, regulatory and government engagement
Commercial & Investment Support
* Lead commercial negotiations and transaction structuring in partnership with investment and executive stakeholders
* Prepare and present investment cases to internal investment committees and board‐level stakeholders
* Interface with equity, debt and strategic capital partners through to financial close
* Monitor market, policy and commercial risk to inform portfolio‐level decision making
About You
* Tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Environmental Science, Planning, Finance or related discipline
* 7–10+ years' renewable energy project development experience in Australia
* Strong track record progressing projects through planning, grid and investment gates
* Comfortable operating in greenfield team / platform build environments
* Commercially minded with strong stakeholder engagement capability
* Full working rights in Australia
What's in It for You?
* Rare chance to help build a platform and team from day one
* Genuine autonomy to shape strategy, process and pipeline
* Backed by a global balance sheet via Sojitz
* Long‐term career runway as Capella Energy scales
How to Apply
For a confidential conversation, please contact Anna Spain of Phillip Riley.
Note: Any applications sent directly to Capella Energy will be rerouted to Phillip Riley. Apply
with a CV and a concise cover note outlining your relevant development experience.
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