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- Tasks: Lead innovative projects in renewable energy and oversee multidisciplinary teams.
- Company: Join a pioneering company focused on sustainable biomass and carbon removals.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of energy and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in project development and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Location: UK flexible
Who we are
We’re not just talking about making a difference, we’re making it happen. We generate dispatchable, renewable power and create stable energy in an uncertain world. Building on our proud heritage, we have ambition to become the global leader in sustainable biomass and carbon removals. You’ll be joining our teams of practical doers, future thinkers and business champions. We’re enabling a zero carbon, lower cost energy future for all, and working hard to decarbonise the planet for generations to come.
About the role
The Group Project Development and Delivery Director will oversee a multidisciplinary team responsible for developing and delivering projects that support the future growth of the Drax Group. This encompasses both greenfield and brownfield developments on existing operational assets as well as potential acquisition opportunities. Current projects include, but are not limited to, OCGT, BESS, CCS, and data centres. This role will work in close collaboration with Business Development teams across the organization to help shape the future of sustainable biomass, carbon removals, and flexible generation businesses. The Director will share accountability for advancing strategic projects to final investment decision, ensuring comprehensive commercial, cost, and technical due diligence, as well as effective risk management processes.
In addition, the Director will be responsible for the overall delivery of capital projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. The role involves leading a dedicated team consisting of innovation specialists, project engineers, and project managers, as well as coordinating with third-party owners’ engineers and principal contractors. The Director will also lead an innovation team focused on horizon scanning and evaluating emerging technologies aligned with Drax’s strategic objectives.
Key Accountabilities
- Work closely with Business Development teams to ensure alignment with technical and budgetary requirements.
- Collaborate with Finance and M&A teams to structure projects that optimise returns against capital constraints.
- Direct diverse, multi-disciplined engineering and contracts resources, evaluating and valorising technology options.
- Ensure projects under consideration contribute effectively to Drax’s overall purpose and objectives.
- Act as Technical Authority, assessing innovative solutions and selecting those with the highest probability of success.
- Be accountable for engineering solutions and compliance to external standards through managed risk and system development.
- Oversee controls and statutory compliance (engineering and financial), including setting, monitoring, and managing budgets.
- Deliver complex, large-scale projects to time, schedule, quality, and cost targets.
- Influence and support key decisions made by Business Development, ensuring future-proofed options and alignment with business planning cycles.
- Provide technical expertise for contract negotiations (e.g., EPC, full contract/split scope contracting).
- Support project delivery with compliance across quality, timeliness, budget, permitting, and regulations (H&S/CDM/DEQ), including company standards (e.g., DMIs).
- Drive establishment of project risk registers and decision logs, ensuring regular review and challenge.
- Communicate and allocate project risks across the organisation in a timely and transparent manner.
- Manage relationships with third-party developers to ensure successful outcomes and protect Drax’s interests.
About you
In this Senior Leadership role, you’ll play a pivotal part in ensuring our engineering and project delivery functions are robust, effective and future-ready. Extensive experience in developing greenfield and brownfield capital projects across the full development cycle. Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary, multi-site teams, including external joint venture partners. Demonstrated ability to lead teams structuring projects to meet investment objectives. Strong understanding of the HR and organisational implications of project structures. Exceptional leadership, communication, and team management capabilities. Skilled in influencing at senior levels and communicating complex technical and financial information to Executive and Board audiences. Experience in project engineering development from concept to handover. Ability to establish and communicate risk management strategies for major engineering projects. Degree-level qualification in a technical subject or equivalent professional experience within the energy sector. Proven track record of delivering capital projects, demonstrating autonomy and confidence in decision-making. Experience establishing and developing effective teams with a strong performance culture. Strong ability to work cross-functionally and support the establishment of effective project development and engineering teams.
Why Join Us
Join us and lead projects that genuinely make an impact. If you are a highly skilled, proactive professional who thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments and wants to make a difference at a strategic level—we’d love to hear from you.
Group Project Development and Delivery Director in Manchester employer: Drax
Contact Detail:
Drax Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Project Development and Delivery Director in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their mission and values, especially around sustainability and innovation. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference with them.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Group Project Development and Delivery Director. Highlight your leadership skills and project management successes, and don’t forget to mention your passion for renewable energy.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making an impact in the energy sector. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of something big!
We think you need these skills to ace Group Project Development and Delivery Director in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in developing greenfield and brownfield projects. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of sustainable energy!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Group Project Development and Delivery Director, you'll be leading teams. Share examples of how you've successfully managed multi-disciplinary teams and delivered complex projects on time and within budget.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain your achievements and how they relate to the role. We appreciate directness and clarity!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Drax
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the projects that the company is currently working on, especially those related to OCGT, BESS, and CCS. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with these projects and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Group Project Development and Delivery Director, you'll need to demonstrate exceptional leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led multi-disciplinary teams in the past, focusing on your ability to manage diverse resources and drive projects to completion.
✨Understand the Financials
Familiarise yourself with the financial aspects of project development. Be ready to discuss how you would structure projects to optimise returns against capital constraints, and share any relevant experiences where you've successfully managed budgets and financial compliance.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
You'll be influencing key decisions at a senior level, so practice articulating complex technical and financial information clearly. Use examples from your past roles to illustrate your points, and ensure you convey your ideas confidently to make a lasting impression.
