What you'd actually do

Facilitate the implementation of scalable regional design and construction standards.

Cultivate strategic top-down relationships with key regulatory bodies (e.g., utility companies, regional permitting authorities) in priority expansion countries to streamline approvals through local partnership.

Lead technical negotiations with utilities, DNOs, and Grid Operators across the region.

In collaboration with our Purchasing team, qualify and onboard a high-performing European vendor base (design firms, general contractors, and consultants).

Serve as the central program lead, balancing stakeholder requirements and core deadlines across a multi-site, multi-country portfolio.

Skills

Required

Progressive experience leading complex, multi-site design and construction programs across diverse European jurisdictions
Knowledge in navigating permitting, utility coordination, and contract law complexities in multiple European countries
Expertise in customer-facing commercial design and translating cross-border procurement best practices
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management
Experience in the development of vehicle sales, service, or parts distribution facilities
Ability to work effectively with limited supervision while leading communication between external partners and internal stakeholders

Nice to have

Experience in the development of vehicle sales, service, or parts distribution facilities

What the JD emphasized

Minimum 10 years of progressive experience leading complex, multi-site design and construction programs across diverse European jurisdictions

Demonstrated knowledge in navigating the distinct permitting, utility coordination, and contract law complexities associated with developing commercial facilities in multiple European countries

Deep expertise in customer-facing commercial design and the ability to translate cross-border procurement best practices into successful partnerships with designers, contractors, and material suppliers

About Rivian Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. Role Summary The Lead, Development, Commercial Facilities (Lead) will steward the physical foundation of Rivian's European market entry. This strategic role represents Rivian’s interests in the design, execution, and strategy of all commercial capital expenditure—including Sales, Service, Delivery, and Parts Distribution facilities—across diverse European markets and jurisdictions. You will orchestrate our regional build program: establishing a bridge between our global brand and local execution, qualifying a localized vendor base, and translating regional regulatory insights into actionable playbooks. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced program leader to navigate the complexities of multiple countries by partnering with 3rd party experts to deliver aggressive results. While initially an individual contributor, success in this role offers a high-potential leadership track to build and manage a dedicated regional Development team. Responsibilities Regional Governance & Standards Facilitate Standards: In collaboration with our central team, facilitate the implementation of scalable regional design and construction standards. Ensure these standards are flexible enough to integrate local cultural requirements and country-specific codes while maintaining Rivian's global brand identity. Regulatory Representation: Cultivate strategic top-down relationships with key regulatory bodies (e.g., utility companies, regional permitting authorities) in priority expansion countries to streamline approvals through local partnership. Utility Coordination: Lead technical negotiations with utilities, DNOs, and Grid Operators across the region. Partner with local specialists to secure high-voltage power capacity and ensure infrastructure aligns with future EV charging requirements. Supply Chain & Commercial Readiness Vendor Mentorship: In collaboration with our Purchasing team, qualify and onboard a high-performing European vendor base (design firms, general contractors, and consultants). Act as the primary point of contact to ensure these partners are trained to deliver Rivian’s specific technical requirements. Project Delivery & Technical Translation Program Representation: Serve as the central program lead, balancing stakeholder requirements and core deadlines across a multi-site, multi-country portfolio. Technical Integration: Oversee the technical specification and engineering validation of facility designs. Act as the translator between global design intent and local European regulatory codes (e.g., Eurocodes, national fire/safety standards) to maximize operational efficiency. Risk Stewardship: Partner with local engineering firms to mitigate technical risk by facilitating rigorous design reviews and contracting best practices (e.g., Novated vs. Traditional contracts). Financial & Timeline Oversight: Drive risk mitigation strategies to address project delays or financial overages, accounting for currency fluctuations and varying construction cost indices across the region. Operational Execution Hands-on Support: Oversee workstreams while personally executing day-to-day tasks during the European ramp-up. Tasks include: concept design, on-site due diligence, schedule creation, estimate validation, drawing set review, and overseeing the bidding process with local partners. Qualifications Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive experience leading complex, multi-site design and construction programs across diverse European jurisdictions (e.g., EU, UK, and/or Scandinavia). Regional Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge in navigating the distinct permitting, utility coordination, and contract law complexities associated with developing commercial facilities in multiple European countries. Knowledge Translation: Deep expertise in customer-facing commercial design and the ability to translate cross-border procurement best practices into successful partnerships with designers, contractors, and material suppliers. Education: A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management is required. Industry Knowledge: Experience in the development of vehicle sales, service, or parts distribution facilities is highly recommended. Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with limited supervision while leading communication between external partners and internal stakeholders. Travel & Presence: Willingness to travel to project locations for team support up to 30% of the time. Must work from the Rivian workplace a minimum of three days per work-week. Equal Opportunity Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com. Candidate Data Privacy Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law. Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions. Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.