Job Description and Person Specification
Job Title: Dartmoor Declares Energy Independence (DDEI) Project Manager
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Contract Type: Part time self-employed contractor
Salary/Fee: £14-21K, based on approximately 75-100 days per year
Location: Dartmoor, with hybrid working
Contract Period: Initially 12 months
Welcome to Dartmoor Futures
Dartmoor Futures works with communities and partners to shape the long-term health and resilience of Dartmoor.
This mission recognises something important. Dartmoor is not one issue, one landscape, one community or one organisation’s responsibility. It is a living system of people, places, nature, culture, economy and heritage. What happens in one part of that system affects the rest.
"Dartmoor Declares Energy Independence" is an ambitious programme focused on increasing local energy resilience, supporting community-led climate action, and demonstrating practical low-carbon infrastructure solutions across Dartmoor.
This pilot project will deliver small-scale solar PV and battery storage installations across 6-8 farm and community sites while also bringing together key stakeholders to explore a longer-term strategy for improving the reliability, resilience and local ownership of energy systems on Dartmoor.
Role Purpose
We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Project Manager to lead delivery of the "Dartmoor Declares Energy Independence" programme.
This role combines practical capital project delivery with strategic partnership development. The successful candidate will oversee the installation programme from planning through to delivery, while also convening landowners, community organisations, energy experts, local authorities and network stakeholders to shape a longer-term vision for energy resilience on Dartmoor.
The role would suit someone who is equally comfortable managing contractors and budgets, building trusted relationships in rural communities, and facilitating collaborative strategic conversations.
Key Responsibilities
Project Delivery
- Lead the end-to-end delivery of small-scale solar and battery storage installations across 6-8 farm and community sites on Dartmoor.
- Develop and maintain project plans, budgets, risk registers and delivery timelines.
- Develop and deploy loan agreements from Dartmoor Futures to deployment sites and instigate financial monitoring for repayment terms.
- Light touch coordination of consultants, installers, contractors and technical advisers that deployment sites chose to work with.
- Monitor project outputs, outcomes and reporting requirements for funders and stakeholders.
- Work closely with site hosts to ensure installations meet local needs and achieve long-term value.
- Capture lessons learnt from the pilot run of the investment process to allow the project to scale up.
Stakeholder Engagement & Strategy Development
- Convene and coordinate key partners across the energy, farming, environmental and community sectors.
- Facilitate workshops, meetings and collaborative discussions focused on improving energy resilience across Dartmoor.
- Build productive relationships with local authorities, distribution network operators, community energy organisations, landowners and regional partners.
- Support the development of a strategic roadmap for resilient and locally beneficial energy systems on Dartmoor.
- Identify future funding, partnership and scaling opportunities arising from the programme.
Governance & Organisational Support
- Report regularly to the COO and Board as required.
- Prepare progress reports, funding updates and presentations.
- Contribute to communications, public engagement and case study development.
- Represent Dartmoor Futures externally at meetings and events as required.
This job description outlines the current duties and level of responsibility required for the post. It is not a comprehensive or exclusive list, and reasonable duties may be varied from time to time where these do not substantially change the general character or level of responsibility of the role.
Person Specification
Essential Experience & Skills
- Strong project management skills including budgeting, scheduling and risk management.
- Experience managing multiple stakeholders and external contractors.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
- Ability to build trust and work collaboratively with rural communities and partner organisations.
- Knowledge of renewable energy systems, particularly solar PV and battery storage.
- Experience securing or managing grant-funded programmes.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to work independently in a fast-moving environment.
- Commitment to sustainability, community resilience and climate action.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across Dartmoor.
- Experience working in the charity, community energy or rural development sectors.
- Understanding of rural energy resilience challenges.
- Awareness of planning and regulatory frameworks relating to renewable energy.
- Experience facilitating multi-agency partnerships or strategic forums
What Success Looks Like
Within the first 12 months, the Project Manager will have:
- Successfully delivered a portfolio of operational solar and battery installations across multiple Dartmoor sites.
- Deployed capital loans to support delivery of above.
- Tested the capital deployment model to determine whether it is a sustainable and generative model with future scalability.
- Established strong working relationships with key local and regional stakeholders.
- Created momentum around a shared strategy for improving Dartmoor’s energy resilience and independence.
- Developed a pipeline of future opportunities and partnerships for scaling impact.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to shape a pioneering rural energy resilience programme with real environmental and community impact. You will play a leading role in delivering practical infrastructure while helping to define a longer-term vision for Dartmoor’s energy future.
Interviews: TBC
Anticipated start date: On or around 1 September 2026, subject to agreement.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Claire at claire@dartmoorfutures.org
Dartmoor Futures welcomes applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment and will make reasonable adjustments for applicants who require them during the recruitment process.
As this is a self-employed contract, the successful applicant will be responsible for their own tax, National Insurance and pension arrangements and will be expected to hold appropriate insurance for the work undertaken.
