Business Development Leader - Biofuels

Location Houston, TX (Hybrid / Partial Remote) Overview Arva Intelligence is a leading sustainability technology platform helping agricultural producers, corporations, and biofuel companies measure, verify, and monetize environmental outcomes. Through advanced ecosystem modeling, carbon accounting, and MRV capabilities, Arva enables customers to unlock value from regenerative agriculture, carbon markets, and emerging clean fuel incentives. As demand for low-carbon feedstocks and clean fuel incentives accelerates, Arva is expanding its commercial leadership to maximize the value its biofuel, agricultural, and channel partners capture across the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, state low‑carbon fuel programs, renewable energy credits (RECs), and emerging environmental attribute markets both inside and outside the United States. Arva is seeking a Business Development Manager in Biofuels to lead the commercial strategy, optimization, and monetization of environmental attributes across its biofuels ecosystem. This individual will be the strategic architect responsible for ensuring that biofuel plants, farmers, and channel partners maximize every available revenue avenue, protecting and growing profit margins across federal tax credits, state programs, RECs, and international clean fuel markets. The role combines deep market acumen with carbon intensity (CI) expertise to position Arva’s partners for maximum value placement within the 45Z value tranches and adjacent environmental attribute programs. The role will work cross‑functionally with Science, Product, Engineering, Commercial, and Customer Success teams, and will serve as the primary commercial liaison to biofuel plant operators, agricultural producers, and channel partners, helping all parties translate agricultural and operational data into maximized environmental attribute value and durable margin. Primary Job Responsibilities Environmental Attribute & Market Leadership Monitor and interpret developments across the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, state low‑carbon fuel standards (e.g., California LCFS), RFS/RIN markets, RECs, and international clean fuel programs. Translate regulatory and market shifts into actionable commercial strategies that protect and grow partner margins. Serve as a trusted commercial advisor to biofuel plant operators, ethanol and renewable diesel producers, SAF producers, key strategic farmers, and channel partners. Margin Optimization & Commercial Execution Own profit‑margin outcomes for biofuel plants, farmers, and channel partners by ensuring every available environmental attribute and revenue avenue is identified and maximized. Evaluate biofuel‑plant‑side value levers, including renewable energy credits (RECs) and CAPEX improvements, both existing and coming online, to optimize carbon intensity and credit value. Structure and execute transactions that monetize environmental attributes with biofuel producers, corporate buyers, and other market participants. Position partner volumes across domestic and international markets as programs are legislated in and out, capturing the highest‑value placement wherever it exists. Carbon Intensity & CI Score Optimization Actively monitor and manage carbon intensity (CI) scores for partner biofuel plants, identifying actionable pathways for score reduction through upstream agricultural practices and plant‑level improvements. Develop strategies that ensure partner plants achieve maximum value placement under the 45Z tax credit tiers and comparable program tranches based on optimized CI scores. Work closely with Arva’s data science and MMRV teams to ensure CI scores and environmental attributes are rigorously quantified, verified, audit‑ready, and defensible. Strategic Guidance & Partner Enablement Act as a valuable, trusted partner to biofuel plants, farmers, and channel partners, using market and technical knowledge to guide their strategic decisions. Advise partners on CAPEX investment decisions and operational changes that improve CI scores and unlock incremental credit value. Partner with Product and Engineering teams to translate market needs into platform capabilities and reporting tools that scale across Arva’s book of business. Industry Engagement Represent Arva at industry conferences, trade associations, plant visits, customer events, and regulatory forums (travel required). Build relationships with key stakeholders across agriculture, energy, sustainability, and government sectors. Contribute thought leadership around environmental markets, carbon intensity, regenerative agriculture, and low‑carbon fuels. Qualifications Required 10+ years of experience in origination, environmental markets, biofuels, renewable energy, or a closely related commercial role, including time at a director or senior level. Strong understanding of commodity markets, supply chain economics, risk management, and the economics of environmental attribute and tax credit programs. Working knowledge of carbon intensity (CI) scoring and the physical production of ethanol, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), or related biofuels. Proven ability to build trust with external stakeholders and negotiate and close complex commercial agreements. Self‑starter able to operate independently in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment, with willingness to travel (35%+) to plants, partners, and stakeholders. Preferred Direct experience with 45Z, LCFS, RFS/RINs, RECs, GREET, or international clean fuel programs (e.g., FuelEU Maritime, ISCC). Familiarity with American row crops (corn, soybeans), regenerative agriculture, and ethanol co‑product economics. Experience with MMRV systems, carbon accounting, or evaluating plant CAPEX projects for emissions and credit impact. Advanced degree in Agronomy, Environmental Science, Agricultural Economics, Engineering, Sustainability, or a related field. Experience or knowledge in commodities trading would be plus. Success Metrics Profit margins met and maintained across partner biofuel plants, farmers, and channel partners. Incremental value captured through optimized CI scores, tranche placement, RECs, and CAPEX‑driven improvements. Expansion of Arva’s book of environmental attribute value across domestic and international markets. Successful structuring and execution of environmental attribute transactions. Contribution to customer retention and revenue growth. Enhancing relationships with channel partners. Why Join Arva This is an opportunity to help shape one of the most important emerging markets in agriculture, energy, and sustainability. The successful candidate will play a central role in building the infrastructure that connects regenerative agriculture with the future of low‑carbon fuels and environmental markets. Only applicants currently, and in the future, eligible to work in the United States will be considered for this position. Arva is a machine learning software‑based SaaS company with offices located in Houston, TX and Park City, UT. Our platform applies novel ML technology to the agricultural industry, optimizing and measuring regenerative practices, improving crop yields, and reducing operational costs for producers. Platform features include practice verification and registration, as well as the sale of environmental asset credits to corporate buyers, helping partners to navigate clean‑fuel incentives and market transactions. This job description reflects the core duties of the role but is not intended to be all‑inclusive. The role may evolve as the company grows, requiring additional responsibilities or changes in scope. Arva’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy (EEO) states that we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Arva Intelligence