Development Project Manager (Renewable Energy – Solar)

We are searching for 2 experienced Development Project Manager’s at our Kings Langley (Beaufort Court) or Larne office.

Do you want to work to make Power for Good?

We’re the world’s largest independent renewable energy company. We’re driven by a simple yet powerful vision: to create a future where everyone has access to affordable, zero carbon energy.

We know that achieving our ambitions would be impossible without our people. Because we’re tackling some of the world’s toughest problems, we need the very best people to help us. They’re our most important asset so that’s why we continually invest in them.

RES is a family with a diverse workforce, and we are dedicated to the personal professional growth of our people, no matter what stage of their career they’re at. We can promise you rewarding work which makes a real impact, the chance to learn from inspiring colleagues from across a growing, global network and opportunities to grow personally and professionally.

Our competitive package offers rewards and benefits including pension schemes, flexible working, and top-down emphasis on better work-life balance. We also offer private healthcare, discounted green travel, 25 days holiday with options to buy/sell five days per annum, enhanced family leave and four volunteering days per year so you can make an impact somewhere else.

The Role

You will focus on developing RES’s Solar pipeline but could also work on RES’s other renewable energy projects.

You will manage: running the project (including budget, programme and team management) and deciding project strategy up to point of planning consent; handling and undertaking community relations and communications; produce an Environmental Statement; secure planning consent; manage consultants; obtain planning condition compliance and support planning compliance during construction and operation. You will work on at least 2 projects at any one time with the total number depending on project requirements.

This role is key to securing planning consent for a project, the stage at which most of the project’s profit is secured.

The Head of Solar Projects will be the Development Project Manager’s line manager. During the Post Consent Phase the Development Project Manager will report to a Project Manager for project-related matters, and to the Construction Manager for project-related matters in the Construction Phase.

Key Accountabilities

• Add customer value and reduce costs (DEVEX, CAPEX and OPEX) for projects ensuring project viability on a subsidy free basis through efficient working, careful scoping, procurement and creative engineering and design opportunities, and project economic/financial modelling.
• Set and lead the project programme following strategy to consent.
• Manage all risks on projects using appropriate tools and contracts.
• Manage project budget to point of consent: includes management of all hours and costs.
• Manage EIA screening, scoping and producing the planning application, normally accompanied by an Environmental Statement.
• Manage management of external consultants and internal technical or engineering support in relation to the project design, ES production, or condition discharge bundles.
• Oversee management of property – ensuring property is secured on viable terms – supported by the Property Manager.
• Coordinate engineering design, technical studies and grid requirements along with a solid understanding of how to maximise profit and the probability of securing consent – supported by the engineer/technical analyst.
• Plan submission and driving towards a consent.
• Manage Appeals process, which may involve management of a Public Inquiry.
• Obtain timely pre-commencement planning condition discharge.
• Obtain any post consent planning variations.
• Support obtaining other licences and permits required by the project.
• Provide support for planning condition compliance throughout construction and operations.
• Ensure project documentation and consultation is aligned with planning policy and EIA regulations.
• Handling external partner relationships, including landowners, local community, planning bodies, local politicians and other key influencers including objectors, all consultees statutory or otherwise, grid companies, consultants, suppliers, regulators and media.
• Design and implement an effective communications plan, with support from the Community Relations Manager, focussed on obtaining planning consent at least cost in minimum time whilst retaining RES’ reputation.
• Help develop and implement storage and solar projects to the location.

Knowledge & Skills

• Detailed knowledge of the drivers for a successful wind farm development and understanding of the common risks.
• Experience with the planning systems and planning policy relating to renewable energy.
• Knowledge of the Appeals and Public Inquiry legal process.
• Knowledge of Environmental Impact regulations.
• Project economics & commercial aspects of projects.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• An entrepreneurial approach and problem solving abilities.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Handling and co-ordinating inputs from external consultants and project team members.
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills.

Experience & Qualifications

• Successfully manage projects within resource and budget constraints.
• Experience of team coordination.
• Successfully deal with planning authorities and other project stakeholders, including landowners, general public, project contractors, external consultants and development partners.
• Produce Planning Applications, Environmental Statements and planning condition discharge bundles or management of consultants doing same.
• Experience of the Appeals process including Public Inquires.
• Degree in an environmental, engineering, technical, planning or science based subject or equivalent.

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

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