Principal Business Developer: Carbon Projects
Anthesis Group
Software Engineering
Cape Town, South Africa
Posted on Mar 27, 2025
About Anthesis
Anthesis is the sustainability activator. Proud to be a B Corp, we seek to make a significant contribution to a world which is more resilient and productive. We do this by working with cities, corporates, investors and other organisations to drive sustainable performance. We develop financially driven sustainability strategies, underpinned by technical expertise and delivered by innovative collaborative teams across the world.
At Anthesis Group, we are truly committed to putting people and our planet at the heart of all we do.
Summary of Role
We are seeking a Principal Business Developer: Carbon Projects to drive the origination, structuring, and commercialisation of high-quality carbon projects across various sectors, including nature-based solutions, agriculture, renewable energy, and industrial decarbonisation. This role requires a strategic thinker with expertise in carbon markets, business development, and project origination. The ideal candidate will have a strong commercial mindset, industry connections, and the ability to drive revenue growth in voluntary and compliance carbon markets.
Anthesis is the sustainability activator. Proud to be a B Corp, we seek to make a significant contribution to a world which is more resilient and productive. We do this by working with cities, corporates, investors and other organisations to drive sustainable performance. We develop financially driven sustainability strategies, underpinned by technical expertise and delivered by innovative collaborative teams across the world.
At Anthesis Group, we are truly committed to putting people and our planet at the heart of all we do.
Summary of Role
We are seeking a Principal Business Developer: Carbon Projects to drive the origination, structuring, and commercialisation of high-quality carbon projects across various sectors, including nature-based solutions, agriculture, renewable energy, and industrial decarbonisation. This role requires a strategic thinker with expertise in carbon markets, business development, and project origination. The ideal candidate will have a strong commercial mindset, industry connections, and the ability to drive revenue growth in voluntary and compliance carbon markets.
- Department
- Climate & Nature : Carbon Project Development
- Employment Type
- Permanent - Full Time
- Location
- South Africa - Cape Town
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Reporting To
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Strategy:
- Identify new market opportunities, partnerships, and revenue streams in voluntary and compliance carbon markets.
- Engage with corporate buyers, investors, and project developers to secure funding and off-take agreements.
Project Origination & Development:
- Identify and assess potential carbon project opportunities, including nature-based solutions, renewable energy, and industrial decarbonisation projects.
- Work closely with internal teams (technical, legal, finance) to develop commercially viable carbon projects.
Market Engagement:
- Stay abreast of carbon market trends, policy developments, and emerging carbon methodologies to inform project development strategies.
Stakeholder Management:
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including project developers, corporates, financiers, and regulatory bodies.
Project Structuring:
- Lead negotiations and deal structuring for carbon credit transactions, project financing, and long-term agreements.
- Develop commercially viable project structures, including financial modelling, risk assessment, and investment frameworks.
Contract Negotiation:
- Lead or assist in negotiations on project development agreements, carbon offtake agreements, and funding arrangements.
Strategic Growth:
- Contribute to the strategic growth of Anthesis’s carbon project portfolio, supporting expansion into new markets and sectors.
Collaboration:
- Work closely with internal teams, including technical, and commercial experts, to drive project success.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential:
- A Master’s degree, ideally in Business / Economics, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, or sustainability-related disciplines.
- Minimum 8-10 years of relevant work experience in carbon project development, sustainability consulting, environmental finance, or related fields.
- Proven track record in business development, project origination, and commercial structuring within the carbon markets.
- Strong understanding of carbon standards (e.g., Verra, Gold Standard), methodologies, and project financing mechanisms.
- Experience engaging with corporate buyers, investors, and project developers in the carbon market ecosystem.
- Exceptional negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and commercial acumen.
- Strong analytical skills, including financial modelling and risk assessment.
Desirable:
- Experience in nature-based solutions, agriculture, renewable energy, or industrial decarbonisation projects.
- Knowledge of carbon market regulations, Article 6 mechanisms, and voluntary/international compliance markets.
- A professional network within the carbon markets, corporate sustainability, and climate finance sectors.
- Passion for climate action and sustainability.
Benefits
You will be part of the South African branch of Anthesis. You will have the opportunity to put the company on the map and play a major role in this. We offer a competitive salary, medical aid and public transport allowance, subsidised meals, as well as life insurance and disability cover. In addition, up to 23 days of vacation and opportunities to develop yourself further.
We work from the trendy Kloof Street in Cape Town; the buzzy area of Rosebank in Johannesburg and the laid-back vibe of Ballito near Durban. All our three offices in South Africa are situated at Workshop17 - the address for innovative and cutting-edge companies. Easy to reach, great coffee, and an ideal place to meet people.
We work from the trendy Kloof Street in Cape Town; the buzzy area of Rosebank in Johannesburg and the laid-back vibe of Ballito near Durban. All our three offices in South Africa are situated at Workshop17 - the address for innovative and cutting-edge companies. Easy to reach, great coffee, and an ideal place to meet people.
About Anthesis Group
Our commitment to building and maintaining a diverse workforce
Anthesis has clients across all industry sectors and supports some of the world’s largest multinationals such as Reckitt, Cisco, Tesco, The North Face, and Target. The company brings together 1,300+ experts operating in 42 countries around the world and has offices in Andorra, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Middle East, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, the UK, and the US.
We encourage all employees to contribute their ideas, perspectives, and experiences to help us create an inclusive and equitable workplace. By embracing diversity and providing equal opportunities, we believe we can drive innovation, foster creativity, and achieve our shared goals. So, if you’re ready to be a part of something truly extraordinary, then we want you! Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Together, we can continue to build a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and thrive.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to your application process, or need this job advert in a different format, just let us know and we’ll be happy to help.
Anthesis has clients across all industry sectors and supports some of the world’s largest multinationals such as Reckitt, Cisco, Tesco, The North Face, and Target. The company brings together 1,300+ experts operating in 42 countries around the world and has offices in Andorra, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Middle East, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, the UK, and the US.
We encourage all employees to contribute their ideas, perspectives, and experiences to help us create an inclusive and equitable workplace. By embracing diversity and providing equal opportunities, we believe we can drive innovation, foster creativity, and achieve our shared goals. So, if you’re ready to be a part of something truly extraordinary, then we want you! Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Together, we can continue to build a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and thrive.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to your application process, or need this job advert in a different format, just let us know and we’ll be happy to help.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Applied
Stage 2:
Talent Partner Phone Screen
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