At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead renewable energy projects from concept to build, ensuring commercial success and stakeholder alignment.
- Company: Join Nadara, a leader in renewable energy with a focus on growth and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with strong collaboration and career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the renewable energy sector while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or related field; 4-7 years in renewable energy development.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Development Manager will play a pivotal role within Nadara’s Growth function, leading the origination and delivery of renewable energy projects across the UK. The role is responsible for identifying, securing, and advancing new development opportunities through to ready‑to‑build status, while ensuring commercial optimisation, stakeholder alignment, and adherence to Nadara’s strategic, environmental, and HSQE objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Origination & Pipeline Growth
- Identify, originate, and evaluate new greenfield, acquisition, and co‑development opportunities aligned with Nadara’s growth strategy.
- Leverage industry networks to generate and support a robust pipeline of renewable energy projects.
- Undertake early‑stage feasibility assessments, including site identification, constraints analysis, and high‑level commercial review.
- Land & Commercial Alignment
- Work closely with the Land team to negotiate, review, and progress land agreements (options, leases, exclusivity arrangements).
- Ensure alignment between land strategy and development objectives to enable efficient project progression.
- Provide development input into commercial structures for co‑development agreements and acquisitions.
- Project Development & Delivery
- Manage projects through all development phases, from early‑stage concept through to ready‑to‑build status.
- Optimise programme, budget, and risk to ensure efficient and successful delivery.
- Secure key consents and agreements, including grid connections, planning permissions, aviation clearances, and other regulatory approvals.
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement
- Work closely with the Community team to develop and implement stakeholder engagement strategies and build relationships with local authorities, communities, and consultees.
- Proactively manage community and council support, addressing concerns and mitigating risks.
- Planning & Consenting
- Lead the preparation and submission of planning applications with internal teams and external consultants.
- Manage appeals processes where required and oversee timely discharge of planning conditions.
- Consultant & Partner Management
- Appoint and manage external consultants (e.g., environmental, planning, technical, grid) to achieve high‑quality outputs aligned with project objectives.
- Manage development partners and third‑party consultants in line with contractual agreements.
- Health, Safety & Governance
- Ensure compliance with Nadara’s HSQE policies and industry standards across all project activities.
- Promote a safety culture, effectively managing consultants and contractors.
- Maintain robust reporting, governance, and internal alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Requirements
- Experience & Knowledge
- Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Environmental Science, Planning, or a related discipline.
- Typically 4–7 years’ experience in renewable energy development.
- Experience progressing projects through planning and consenting stages.
- Strong understanding of UK planning systems, grid processes, and regulatory frameworks.
- Good knowledge of the commercial, environmental, and technical aspects of renewable energy development.
- Skills & Competencies
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Commercial awareness with the ability to contribute to negotiations and deal structures.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
- Strong problem‑solving capability and sound judgement.
- Well‑organised with attention to detail.
- Network & Industry Engagement
- Established or developing network within the renewable energy sector.
- Proactive approach to identifying opportunities and supporting pipeline growth.
- Other Requirements
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.
- Willingness to travel for site visits and stakeholder engagement.
- Ability to work effectively across regions and with diverse stakeholder groups.
- Desirable
- Experience across multiple renewable technologies (e.g., wind, solar, storage).
- Exposure to co‑development or joint venture structures.
- Chartered status (or working towards) in a relevant discipline.
What Success Looks Like
- Delivery of a high‑quality and scalable renewable energy project pipeline.
- Efficient progression of projects to ready‑to‑build status.
- Strong collaboration with internal teams (including Land and Community) and external stakeholders.
- Commercially sound development outcomes aligned with Nadara’s growth strategy.
Location: Edinburgh
Time Type: Full time
Worker Subtype: Regular
Development Manager employer: Nadara
Nadara is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Edinburgh where innovation meets sustainability. As a Development Manager, you will be at the forefront of renewable energy projects, benefiting from a culture that prioritises collaboration, professional growth, and community engagement. With a strong commitment to employee development and a focus on achieving impactful environmental outcomes, Nadara provides a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the future of energy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the renewable energy sector. Attend industry events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Development Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your project management skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in managing projects from concept to ready-to-build status. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you’ve navigated planning and consenting stages successfully.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your approach! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies like Nadara directly through our website. Express your interest in renewable energy development and ask about upcoming opportunities. It shows initiative and can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your stakeholder engagement skills! Make sure you can talk confidently about how you’ve built relationships with local authorities and communities. Employers want to see that you can manage support and address concerns effectively, so have some solid examples ready to share.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in renewable energy development and any relevant projects you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about renewable energy and how you can contribute to Nadara’s growth strategy. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills:Since stakeholder engagement is key for this role, make sure to highlight your communication and negotiation skills. Share examples of how you've successfully managed relationships in past projects – we want to see your people skills in action!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at Nadara!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nadara
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of renewable energy development, especially in the UK. Understand the planning systems, grid processes, and regulatory frameworks that are crucial for the role. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Network
Since the role involves leveraging industry networks, be prepared to talk about your connections within the renewable energy sector. Share examples of how you've used these relationships to identify opportunities or advance projects in the past. This will demonstrate your proactive approach to pipeline growth.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Think about your experience with stakeholder engagement and community relations. Be ready to discuss strategies you've implemented to build relationships with local authorities and communities. Highlight any successful outcomes from these engagements to showcase your skills in this area.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
The role requires strong problem-solving capabilities, so come prepared with examples of challenges you've faced in project development and how you overcame them. This will illustrate your ability to manage multiple projects and navigate a dynamic environment effectively.
