Commercial Manager at Second Foundation in Tokyo

Second Foundation is a global energy trading company with over 400 employees across offices in Prague (HQ, CZ), Zug (CH), Mainz (DE), Berlin (DE), Charlotte (USA), and Tokyo (JP). We specialize in the physical trading of electricity across 21 markets in Europe, North America, and Asia. With a strong focus on sustainable energy markets, our competitive edge lies in combining exceptional talent, innovative technology, and a deep understanding of the evolving energy landscape.

In Japan, Second Foundation operates as an aggregator and developer in the electricity market, with a particular focus on battery energy storage systems (BESS), dispatch optimization, and market trading—further strengthening our global commitment to advancing the future of energy.

Second Foundation’s BESS projects in Japan are sourced, developed, built and managed by its subsidiary Nihon Obno. As a Commercial Manager at Nihon Obno, you will manage the commercial and financial side of these projects across their full lifecycle: from screening new opportunities, through development and construction, to sale to investors. Reporting directly to and working closely with the CEO of Nihon Obno, as well as our development, engineering, finance and legal teams, you will analyse project economics, keep track of project status and costs, and prepare the information investors need to invest in our projects.

What you would work on

• Review and assess new project opportunities, including existing projects offered for acquisition, and summarise the key technical, commercial and financial information.
• Run project financial models, using our existing models, to assess cash flows, returns and sensitivities, and keep project economics up to date.
• Act as commercial project manager for projects in development and construction, tracking their status, budgets, costs and economics.
• Prepare project summaries, presentations and other materials for investors, lenders and internal decision-making.
• Set up and maintain project data rooms and coordinate due diligence for project sales and financings.
• Support transactions with investors and lenders, including information requests, commercial terms and documentation.
• Work with internal teams and external partners, such as developers, EPC contractors and advisors, to keep project information complete, accurate and current.

What makes you a great candidate

• Ideally, experience in corporate finance, project finance, M&A or the commercial management of infrastructure or energy projects. Candidates with an analyst background and the ability to grow into the role will also be considered.
• Strong Excel and financial modelling skills, with the ability to work confidently with existing project finance models and a good understanding of project economics.
• Ability to review large amounts of project documentation and summarise it clearly for investors and management.
• Well organised and detail-oriented, able to manage several projects and deadlines at the same time.
• Commercial judgement, clear communication and a proactive approach.
• Business-fluent Japanese and English. Experience in energy, infrastructure or BESS is an advantage.

What we offer?

• 20 days of paid vacation (in addition to national holidays).
• Flexible working hours and home office options.
• Competitive salary with a performance-based bonus structure.
• Latest tech tools: High-end phone and laptop provided to support your productivity.
• Exciting work with a talented team in algorithmic trading.
• Short decision-making paths and rapid development opportunities.
• Training budget to support your professional development and growth.
• Play a direct role in advancing the energy transition and supporting decarbonization.