Business Development Specialist

*Location*
Rome, Italy

About Us
Zelestra (formerly Solarpack) is a multinational platform fully focused on multi-technology renewables with a vertically integrated business model focused large-scale renewable projects in rapidly growing markets across Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Headquartered in Spain, Zelestra has more than 1.000 employees worldwide and is backed by EQT, one of three largest funds in the world with $200B in assets.

At Zelestra we aim to be a solid and solvent company, capable of executing quality and valuable projects for the society and the environment.

Therefore, we maintain a firm commitment to contribute directly to the social development of the communities and markets in which we operate, not only through the creation of economic value, but also through the generation of quality employment and through the social projects we promote.

*Mission*
As a core contributor to the Origination team, the role drives the identification, qualification and advancement of Solar, BESS and Wind opportunities in Italy, leading projects from early scouting to investment approval and full commercialization. The position plays a strategic role in shaping the company's growth trajectory by ensuring that sourced opportunities meet development feasibility through a clear and de-risked permitting pathway, enabling a smooth transition to secondary permitting and construction readiness, regulatory pathways and long-term portfolio optimization goals.

Responsibilities

• Originate and evaluate new renewable energy opportunities — including greenfield, brownfield, co-development and advanced projects — assessing permitting pathways, interconnection requirements, land constraints, environmental risks and overall commercial/financial feasibility.
• Monitor the Italian renewable energy market and maintain an active network of industry contacts to support project sourcing, using public and private platforms/databases to identify qualified opportunities.
• Coordinate the deal flow for ongoing transactions, including data room management, negotiations, partner relationship management, and preparation of investment materials.
• Support detailed financial analysis and due diligence activities, contributing to the assessment of technical, permitting, environmental, interconnection and commercial risks of potential projects and counterparties.
• Set inputs and review financial models, investment cases and presentations for internal approvals and investment committees.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders — including technical teams, developers, grid operators, financial institutions and regulatory bodies — to advance development initiatives.
• Support the development of assigned projects until full commercialization, ensuring proper handover to Secondary Permitting PMs and maintaining accurate documentation, reporting and follow-up.

Job Requirements
Education

• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Finance, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 4 years of experience in business development, financial analysis, or a related role within the renewable energy sector, with mandatory 1 year of hands-on experience in the development of utility-scale PV and BESS projects.
• Proven track record in scouting, evaluating or negotiating greenfield, brownfield or co-development opportunities.
• Direct exposure to permitting processes (AU, VIA, landscape, environmental) and collaboration with technical advisors or local authorities.
• Basic experience supporting or managing interconnection processes (TSO/DSO), including STMG/STMD reviews and grid-related assessments.
• Prior involvement in due diligence processes (technical, permitting, land, financial, commercial) for project acquisitions or partnerships as a plus.
• Familiarity with data rooms, negotiations, document review and transaction workflows.

Technical Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Italian renewable energy market.
• Financial modeling, project valuation, and regulatory framework understanding.
• Advanced MS Excel and PowerPoint skills; familiarity with databases and sector platforms is a plus.
• Native or very high level of Italian and high level of English (C1).

Soft Skills

• Motivated, proactive, and disciplined professional with a high sense of ownership.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to manage multiple stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset with a willingness to continuously learn and improve.

What We Offer

• Career opportunities and professional development in a growing multinational company with a team highly qualified.
• Permanent contract.
• Flexible compensation.
• Full working day.
• Hybrid work model based at the Rome office (Via XX Settembre, 4), with a combination of in-office and remote work as per company policy, remote work 2 days a week.

Zelestra celebrates the diversity of thought and experience that comes from a variety of backgrounds including, but not limited to, gender, age, ethnicity...

JR2386

Let's co-build a carbon-free tomorrow

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