Assistant Director of Advisory - Ernst & Young

The Opportunity

EY is the UK's leading PPA advisor and this role focuses on delivering PPA strategy and procurement processes for UK and European corporates and the public sector. The new hire will also support our ongoing expansion into new services such as procurement of green gas and into new European markets. The EY PPA team sits within the EY Energy & Infrastructure (E&I) team, which is currently the leading renewable energy advisor in UK & Europe, regularly closing high profile cross-border sell-side, buy-side, project financing transactions and corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), supporting some of the largest renewable energy projects, portfolios and corporates globally.

Our dynamic and diverse team consists of ~ 30 individuals of varying professional backgrounds, including bankers, accountants, engineers, energy experts etc. Working with us will entail both formal and on the job learning from sector experts, which will help you to further develop your skills as an effective renewable energy strategy advisor and senior manager of successful PPA and GPA transactions, as you work alongside the M&A team.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced candidate to join a market leading, entrepreneurial team that works across core renewables as well as wider energy transition / clean energy transactions, based in London but with a flexible working structure, with a requirement for an average of 3 days in the office or at a client site.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Advising on procurement of PPAs (and potentially GPAs) for corporate and public sector clients, including the commercial evaluation of bids and contract negotiation.
• Directing research and report writing for corporate renewable energy strategy assignments, together with delivery of client workshops (in-person and on-line).
• Directing preparation of PPA/GPA project marketing materials and other client deliverables.
• Drive revenue growth, originate PPA transactions, target client origination and existing client diversification and all associated business development activities to expand EY's market share.
• Reviewing analysis of energy consumption and energy pricing data. Reviewing and running financial models for PPAs/GPAs, including undertaking sensitivity/scenario analysis.
• Project leadership and management of key stakeholders on projects, including project developers and liaison with senior corporate clients.
• Development and maintenance of client relationships, including origination, proposal preparation, pitch presentation to clients, plus broader marketing initiatives and account pursuits.
• Working on exciting new cross-functional engagements related to M&A mandates or wider decarbonisation strategies.
• Working successfully across complex, geographically and commercially diverse operations and working collaboratively with colleagues across the EY network.

To qualify for the role you must have

• Prior experience of working in and a passion for the renewable energy sector.
• Experience of negotiating commercial terms for Power Purchase Agreements.
• High degree of personal drive and motivation to enhance your own knowledge and succeed.
• Excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written; highly competent in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and PowerPoint).
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills (including Excel modelling capability).
• Financial modelling experience for renewable energy projects.
• Highly developed knowledge of the renewable energy sector, power markets, energy transition and energy services and a relevant contact base.
• Ability to lead projects and build effective working relationships with individuals, organisations and clients, whilst working under pressure, across multiple projects and to tight deadlines.
• Happy to work collaboratively with the team in-person and on-line.
• Team-oriented with excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to contribute fully to all aspects of team management including; developing coaching, motivating and managing team members to elevate performance levels across the team, client account management and driving a culture of inclusivity, operational excellence and quality.
• Educated to degree level.

Ideally, you'll also have

• Commitment to business development and able to identify opportunities to deliver new services for renewable energy strategy and PPAs.
• Experience of gas hedging, trading or purchase agreements.
• A desire to be 'in the market', building a network through attending and/or speaking at events or committing to posts/blogs etc., with a drive for originating sales.
• Track record of successfully pitching for business, identifying and anticipating commercial opportunities and converting networking activity into delivery of revenue.
• An ability to contribute to delivery of wider strategic objectives across the E&I team, potentially supporting and participating in corporate finance / M&A mandates through providing PPA and project development experience.
• Advanced professional financial or management qualification (e.g. ACA, CFA, MBA).

What We Look For

Already dominant in the UK PPA market, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate with technical / commercial skills to help deliver our PPA business. You will be supported by a highly experienced PPA Director, PPA Managers and a wide team in the UK and across Europe. The primary focus of the role is on structuring and negotiating PPAs, with a potential growing focus on GPAs too.