Senior BESS Manager (m/f/d)

Mission

The earth needs to get back to zero. At Zelestra, we make your decarbonization a reality! By working hard and working smart, we do all we can to meet our clients’ goals and deliver results that matter.

Zelestra is a purpose‐driven global multi‐technology company that provides value across the entire renewable energy chain, enhancing competitiveness and mitigating execution risk in large‐scale projects through a robust portfolio and vertical integration.

Our beliefs are the cornerstone of our culture and guide our actions every day: we work tirelessly to do things right, take ownership, push ourselves and clients further, get results that matter, and work together to achieve great outcomes.

Location

Düsseldorf, Berlin or Hamburg

Responsibilities Business Development & Commercial

• Build a robust pipeline of stand‐alone and hybrid BESS projects in Germany, targeting several hundred MW.
• Evaluate new project opportunities on a stand‐alone or co‐located (solar + BESS) basis, providing the technical and regulatory input needed to assess viability.
• Guide the commercial team in developing and stress‐testing revenue models—including merchant, capacity market, and ancillary service strategies—to ensure realistic technical and market constraints.
• Lead commercial negotiations with grid operators and development partners.
• Monitor and analyse market developments, pricing signals, and regulatory changes to identify opportunities.

Project Management

• Drive projects from development through financial close, maintaining strict milestones and accountability.
• Oversee the permitting process (Genehmigungsverfahren) for BESS projects, coordinating with internal teams and external advisors for timely approvals.
• Coordinate cross‐functionally with technical, legal, finance, and grid teams.
• Work with the COO and Program Management teams on project design optimisation and cost‐effective execution plans for a smooth transition into construction.
• Collaborate with Procurement to support supply chain planning and secure reliable, competitive sourcing.
• Manage external advisors, consultants, and contractors.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and within risk tolerance.

Technical & Regulatory

• Serve as internal expert on BESS technology selection, performance parameters, and grid integration requirements.
• Navigate the German regulatory landscape, including grid connection processes (Netzanschluss), BNetzA regulations, and ancillary service frameworks.
• Translate technical and regulatory inputs into sound commercial assumptions.

Investments & M&A

• Support or lead acquisition processes for BESS assets in Germany, including target screening and due diligence coordination.
• Build and present investment cases to internal stakeholders, covering timelines, key assumptions, and risk factors.

Job Requirements

• Proven track record and professional experience in the energy storage or broader renewable energy sector.
• Deep knowledge of BESS technology (chemistry, performance, degradation, BoS) and grid regulation in Germany.
• Proven commercial track record: closed deals, built models, and drove revenue.
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated ownership of complex, multi‐stakeholder processes.
• Experience with investment processes—acquisitions, due diligence, or project finance—in the energy sector.
• Results‐driven, ownership mindset: treat this business as your own.
• Ideally deep experience with ancillary services markets (FCR, aFRR, mFRR) in Germany.
• Established relationships with German grid operators (DSOs/TSOs), regulators, or BESS OEMs is a plus.
• Experience working in a developer or IPP environment.
• Business fluency in German and English.

What We Offer

• High‐impact role with real commercial ownership across Zelestra’s renewable energy portfolio in Germany.
• Lean, entrepreneurial team where decisions matter and impact is visible.
• Fast‐growing platform with strong deal flow and an active development pipeline ready for execution.
• Competitive salary in the range of EUR 120,000 – 150,000 and performance‐based incentive.

Zelestra celebrates the diversity of thought and experience that comes from a variety of backgrounds including, but not limited to, gender, age, ethnicity, and more. Our mission is to contribute to a more just and equitable society.

Job Reference: JR 3183