Senior Development Manager

Department: Development UK & ROI

Location: Northern Ireland (Belfast highly preferred) or Republic of Ireland

About Lightsource bp

Lightsource bp is a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects. We are a 50:50 joint venture with bp with a mission to help drive the world’s transition to low carbon energy.

With solar set to increase tenfold in the next 20 years, we are well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. By joining the Lightsource bp team, you will ‘be the change’ on the world’s energy transition to a more sustainable future.

We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit as we continue to push the boundaries of an ever-changing energy landscape. By choosing a career with us, you can expect a challenging and fulfilling role surrounded by people who are passionate and have brilliant ideas about sustainable technology, innovation and making the world a better place.

What You’ll do (the role)

Summary

In this role, you’ll bring the necessary expertise and relevant industry contacts to contribute to the rapid growth of our UK and Ireland Development operations, with a special focus on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

You will autonomously manage a pipeline of projects from an early stage through to financial close, ensuring they are bankable and ready for investment in line with business targets. Alongside project development, you’ll manage, create and update processes that benefit the team and business, taking initiative to improve Lightsource bp’s efficiency, productivity and competitive edge.

Duties and responsibilities

• Drive development and close transactions in a well-forecasted, timely manner that exceeds Lightsource bp’s margin requirements by coordinating different workstreams and internal departmental resource: planning, PPA, technical, commercial engineering, procurement, legal, grid, and delivery
• Bridge the relationship with all relevant stakeholders including DNO, landowners, TA, EPC and ICP and internal resource to ensure competent negotiations on land rights, deeds, permits, DNO offers, planning, construction contracts and PPA where required.
• Oversee projects effectively – leading meetings and communications and directing stakeholders to ensure maximum efficiency. This requires a high level of action-orientated, clear communication at all times, including weekly and monthly meetings/reporting to peers, project team and Executives
• Run financial models and use price indicators to negotiate commercial terms which meet Lightsource bp’s margin requirements.
• Regularly update and provide clear forecasting of project cashflows in line with budget forecasts.
• Liaise with all relevant stakeholders to obtain the information required to independently write and present formal budget requests to Executive Management Committee and Investment Committee.
• Understand and negotiate solutions to property reports involving legal team where necessary.
• Understand and negotiate commercial issues in ICP and EPC contracts supporting the delivery and construction team where necessary.
• Represent Lightsource bp at community and company events, conveying our business and development acumen in a professional manner while enforcing company strategies.
• Provide proficient line management to up to 1-2 staff members as required, including regular 1-2-1’s, appraisals and setting personal development goals
• Provide timely market intelligence (projects, trends, competitors’ activities)

In addition, the Employee will engage in other activities in the APAC region.

Who we’re looking for

Knowledge

• Strong breadth of knowledge across full solar development life cycle
• Knowledge of Option to Lease/ land rights agreements is essential
• Understanding of grid & knowledge/relationships with UK DNOs is essential
• Understanding of project finance and financial modelling terms
• Strong written and verbal English language
• Understanding of renewables industry, energy and environmental issues in UK and EU
• Reasonable understanding of Private Wire and Corporate PPAs

Qualifications

• Degree in related discipline desirable

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in solar development
• Strong track record of closing deals and contracts
• Developing and managing work-related projects, deadlines and resources across cross-functional teams is a must
• Experience in M&A is beneficial

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in related discipline

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

Personal qualities

• Team player with ability to forge long term professional relationships with third parties
• Ability to work autonomously and take initiative to independently problem solve
• Highly adaptable with ability to learn quickly and work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to take the lead in situations that require a strong voice to close issues
• Excellent negotiator and communicator
• Attention to detail

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow; a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible

Our culture is driven by our core values. From operating safely to ensuring our solar projects are responsible and promote biodiversity.

Be recognized

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired

Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. Initiatives to get involved with including our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project or our sustainability initiatives.

Our Core Values

Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible, and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.

https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers