Head of Project Development in West Bromwich

JDRoss have partnered with an IPP who have been established for over 15 years. They have historically worked on small power projects and acted as a service provider for the national grid. The purpose of this role is to grow the company further by adding grid stability projects to the portfolio and generation.

Reporting to the CEO, the objective of this role is to identify DNO/NESO/NGET needs to pursue good opportunities to secure land, planning and connections for support services (or small-scale generation meeting renewable and carbon capture requirements in line with the company strategy).

The successful candidate will have:

• Good knowledge of the energy industry and the government/regulatory authority's current energy policies/strategy and protocols to ensure suitable M&A acquisitions and land to deliver compatible energy solutions are targeted.
• The proven experience, drive, knowledge and ability to:
• Conduct land searches to find suitable plots with a strong potential to pass planning, engage and negotiate with landowners and secure options/lease, purchase or easements for those plots.
• Set out a successful planning strategy, oversee planning consultants where necessary and apply for planning in order to gain planning permission to build target energy projects.
• Apply for connections to DNO and NGET.
• Submit successful bids for NESO/Government tender initiatives.

Key Objectives of the role:

• Use a variety of tools to identify DNO/NESO/NGET/Government needs for potential development/acquisition sites.
• Analyse sites, usage and cable routes to ensure they have good prospects of meeting planning requirements. Plot the land details on aerial maps along with land title to enable easy presentation of findings to the executive team and communicate rationale.
• Determine title of land and contact details of all relevant parties and make direct contact with them where possible to ensure positive relations from opening exchanges through to engaging with legal to obtain letters of authority, heads of terms and fully signed options/leases.
• Apply for electrical/gas connections through the relevant parties and negotiate through to successful conclusion whilst building good working relationships with stakeholders in this area.
• Apply for and secure planning permission and other consents as required for each site. Drive approval process in a timely manner.
• Co-ordinate site surveys and visits as required to gather local data to determine such things as flood risk, areas of natural beauty, farming grade land, proximity to woodland, river/canals/land crossings which may require easements from other owners.
• Negotiate and finalise any required easements/wayleaves for cables and site access with landlords and third parties as required.
• Keep accurate records of work on each site, co-ordinate site files, take and keep minutes of meetings.
• Have the confidence and experience to lead the bidding process for NESO/Government tender initiatives such as LT29.

Key attributes/experience:

• Self-starter with keen commercial acumen and strong drive.
• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills and able to take responsibility.
• Experience of closing multiple land deals in energy or a closely related space over past few years.
• Experience of gaining electricity and/or gas connections and associated issues.
• Experience in gaining successful planning applications.