Sr. Development Associate, Energy

The Role

Zeno is looking for a Sr. Development Associate to join our Energy Network team and lead the search, qualification, and contracting of new battery swap and fast-charging sites across Kenya. This role sits at the front end of our network pipeline — identifying strategic locations, securing site host agreements, and navigating utility and grid connection processes with Kenya Power (KPLC) — before handing qualified sites to our Deployment team for construction and go-live.

You’ll manage a high volume of sites simultaneously, working directly with landowners, utility contacts, and internal engineering, legal, and deployment teams to convert prospects into signed, developable sites. This is a high-ownership role for someone who can manage complexity, work autonomously, and build trust with a wide range of external partners — from individual site hosts to utility officials to corporate real estate teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a pipeline of prospective swap stations and fast-charging sites across Nairobi and Central Kenya, tracking each site’s progress from Prospect through Qualified, Committed, and Operational stages
• Conduct site due diligence — assessing customer experience, supply capacity, meter presence, transformer distance, access constraints, and connection type — and capture findings accurately in our site survey and pipeline tracking systems
• Lead engagement with Kenya Power (KPLC) and other utility stakeholders to progress EV tariff connections, manage meter applications, and work through grid capacity constraints
• Identify, approach, and negotiate directly with landowners, petrol station operators, and other prospective site hosts to secure long-term site agreements on commercially sound terms
• Work with legal and commercial colleagues to draft, negotiate, and execute site host and lease agreements
• Partner closely with the Deployment team to ensure a clean hand-off of qualified sites into construction and commissioning, and troubleshoot issues that arise during that transition
• Track and forecast pipeline milestones, site counts, and cycle time against network expansion targets, and report progress up to the VP of Operations
• Manage relationships with external surveyors, contractors, and vendors supporting the site development process, holding them accountable for quality and timelines
• Represent Zeno credibly with a wide range of external stakeholders — from individual landowners to utility officials — with professionalism and persuasive communication
• Build and refine the processes and communication habits that let the wider Development and Deployment teams work faster together, not just your own pipeline

Qualifications

• 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

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Company-sponsored healthcare plan
• Based out of Zeno’s Nairobi hub, with travel to swap stations and charging sites across Kenya
• Join a world-class team of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs from across the globe who are part of the inevitable trillion-dollar transition of two-wheelers to electric!