Job Description

We are seeking an experienced

VP of Projects

to lead the successful delivery from concept to start-up of sustainable fuels production facility projects utilizing Aether's breakthrough Aurora production technology. As a key member of the leadership team, this role will have responsibility to build and lead the Projects organization that manages project development and execution from Pre-FEED to commissioning, including resource management, schedule control, budgeting, stakeholder reporting, and stage gate reviews. This team will also be responsible for commercial matters relating to project execution (e.g. EPC and owner's engineer contracting, technology vendor contracting, environmental reviews, and permitting) and project development (e.g. offtake, feedstock, insurance, and power) with matrix support from Business Development as needed. The Project organization will also have matrix project resources from the Engineering organization and Plant Operations organization (which will be responsible for project engineering, construction, commissioning, and ESH). The Projects organization will work closely with the Project Financing team, that will be responsible for securing debt and equity as needed for each projecet. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record developing and executing complex projects delivering large-scale facilities in the oil & gas, energy, or chemicals sectors from concept to start-up, strong team leadership skills, and a passion for sustainability and innovation.

Responsibilities:

Build and lead the implementation of Aether's end-to-end project development and execution processes from concept to commissioning from Pre-FEED studies, FEED studies, and final project assembly for FID, through to detailed design, construction, commissioning, and hand off to operations Project Delivery will hold the overall project management responsibility, but it is understood that matrix resources from other organizations will be accountable for their own deliverables In addition to project management, hold direct responsibility for all commercial matters other than project financing, including, including regulatory compliance (including environmental reviews), permitting, insurance, and commercial contracting with EPCs, supplier agreements (including technology vendors), and contracting for offtake, feedstocks, and power (with assistance from Business Development as needed) As part of its project management responsibility: ensure timely project execution within budget parameters while maintaining high standards of quality and attention to detail and be the ultimate accountable leader for project timelines, budgets, quality, and risk management Together with the leader of Business Development, and the leader of Project Finance: develop Aether's project roadmap, aligned with the company's mission and goals Recruit, mentor, and lead a multidisciplinary project execution team Form and manage teams mixing dedicated project execution resources and matrix resources from other departments Create a culture of high performance, collaboration, and accountability Coordinate with local authorities, regulatory bodies, EPC contractors, and key partners as needed for each project's success Collaborate effectively the internal executive team, the Engineering, Plant Operations, and Project Finance organizations, and external legal resources Must be effective at explaining project vision to a variety of stakeholders including internally to the leadership team and board, and to prospective project investors, government agencies, partners, and potential customers Should be capable of clearly and confidently communicating project status and value proposition in both formal presentations and ad hoc settings Will participate in, and assist the Project Finance team with, discussions with potential project investors and debt providers

Qualifications

15+ years of experience in project execution, preferably in the oil & gas, energy, petrochemical, infrastructure, or industrial sectors Proven track record delivering large-scale capital projects, ideally including first of a kind (FOAK) or innovative technologies Exceptional communication and presentation skills are essential Structured, action-oriented, driver mindset Strong commercial, strategic, and stakeholder management capabilities Excellent understanding of project commercial matters, including project permitting, environmental reviews, EPC contracting, vendor/supplier contracting, offtake contracting, and feedstock/power contracting Excellent understanding of the phases of project development and execution and what is required at each phase, including particularly what is required for a successful FID Excellent understanding of project execution best practices andpitfalls Good familiarity with engineering study work products, construction execution, and commissioning execution (but need not have been directly responsible for delivering engineering studies or executing construction and commissioning) Familiarity with project finance for large scale projects (but need not have been directly responsible for delivering project equity investments or debt) Ability to work in dynamic, fast-paced, and ambiguous environments Demonstrated leadership experience, with the ability to scale organizations International project experience (e.g., U.S., Brazil, Southeast Asia) highly valued Willingness to travel internationally and work across time zones * Engineering or technical background a plus; MBA or equivalent experience preferred