Company: Zeno
Location: Nairobi
Job Type: Full Time
Apply Before: 2026-07-31
Job Description
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!
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to Zeno on zeno.earth to apply
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Source: MyJobMag