Sr. Development Associate, Energy

Zeno is seeking a Sr. Development Associate to join their Energy Network team, responsible for leading the search, qualification, and contracting of new battery swap and fast-charging sites across Kenya. The role involves identifying strategic locations, securing site host agreements, and navigating utility and grid connection processes with Kenya Power (KPLC). The associate will manage a high volume of sites simultaneously, working directly with landowners, utility contacts, internal engineering, legal, and deployment teams to convert prospects into signed, developable sites. This position requires high ownership, autonomy, and the ability to build trust with a wide range of external partners, including individual site hosts, utility officials, and corporate real estate teams. The role sits at the front end of the network pipeline, ensuring clean hand-offs to the Deployment team for construction and go-live. Responsibilities include building and managing a pipeline of prospective sites, conducting due diligence, engaging with KPLC for tariff connections, negotiating site agreements, drafting and executing lease agreements, tracking pipeline milestones, and representing Zeno credibly with external stakeholders. The associate will also refine processes to improve collaboration between Development and Deployment teams.

- 3–5 years of experience in site acquisition, business development, real estate, infrastructure development, utility/grid coordination, or another stakeholder-facing commercial role; experience in EV charging, energy infrastructure, telecoms tower siting, or similar network build-outs is a strong plus - Demonstrated experience directing the work of external stakeholders, vendors, or contractors, with the judgment to represent Zeno independently in negotiations - Strong negotiator, able to build trust and close agreements across a wide range of counterparties — from individual landowners to utility officials to corporate real estate teams - Highly organized, with the ability to manage 25–50+ sites simultaneously across different pipeline stages without dropping details - Comfortable navigating ambiguity and bureaucracy; familiarity with Kenya Power (KPLC) processes, local permitting, or utility infrastructure is a strong plus - Autonomous and high-ownership: self-motivated, resourceful, and clear about what’s needed to get a site over the line - Excellent written and verbal communication in English; Swahili fluency is a plus - Comfortable working with data and reporting tools (Excel/Google Sheets, Jira, or similar) to keep pipeline tracking current - Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel regularly to sites across Kenya