Community Renewable Energy Manager (Wales)

Severn Wye is looking for an experienced, confident project manager to support the development of community renewable energy across Powys. This role is at the forefront of what we do as an organisation. You will be working across Powys, supporting community groups to realise their visions for community renewable energy. This role is offered on a remote/home working basis, within easy travel distance of Powys. The role will require occasional travel to the five communities currently being supported by Powys Energy for All (Llanfyllin, Llangattock, Llanidloes, Newtown and Rhayader) including some evening and weekend working. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use is therefore essential. Please be aware only mileage claims within Powys and adjoining counties can be paid.

As Community Renewable Energy Manager (Wales), you will focus on supporting communities across Powys to develop renewable energy schemes. This project will drive forward local renewable energy for local people, where the benefits are felt by all in the community. Stage 1 (scoping study and selection of projects) and Stage 2 (feasibility studies) have been completed. The project is now in Stage 3 (development). The post holder will work with community groups to navigate existing support structures. In addition to developing the renewable energy schemes, they will support groups to set up governance structures to own assets, attract funding and issue share offers. Severn Wye wants to develop a pipeline of projects across Powys that generate renewable energy, empowering communities and delivering benefits back to the communities where they are located.

On top of an expertise in renewable energy, the post holder will be a positive, supportive and caring ally of the community, empowering people who may never have been involved in climate action before but have the passion to make a difference.

Why you’ll enjoy working with us

Severn Wye is a great organisation to work for. We love what we do. You will enjoy a relaxed and supportive work environment, and colleagues who are knowledgeable, generous and committed to making a difference. Our flexible working arrangements are designed to accommodate the work/life balance our people need depending on where they are in their life and career, which means we benefit from the experience and enthusiasm of employees of all ages and backgrounds. We’ll provide the training you need to help you grow in your role and get to grips with the energy landscape. You’ll start on 24 days annual leave per year (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You’ll have excellent support for the future such as Group Life Assurance and a company pension scheme with employer contributions of 7% when you put in 5% or more. We get together regularly for social events and look after you outside work hours with employee discounts on a range of outlets, including discounted gift cards and cashback. If this sounds like an environment in which you’d thrive, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Description

This role will include:

• The development of potential renewable energy projects in Powys, suitable for community ownership.
• Supporting communities to develop community renewable energy assets and access existing support mechanisms and funding sources available to them.
• Support communities to access the existing support to help them develop governance structures to own and run community renewable energy assets.
• Working with contractors and support agencies to develop projects.
• Championing the concept of community energy to communities, local authorities, businesses and other project stakeholders.
• Providing training and mentoring to give people the confidence and skills they need to engage in meetings and groups and manage projects.
• Support groups navigate issues of land ownership, grid connection, planning, financial modelling and business plans as they take their project forward from the feasibility studies.
• Project management skills including managing a budget, making claims and reporting to funders.
• Following all organisational policies and procedures when delivering work.
• Carrying out any other duties that may be reasonably required.
• Some travel around Powys with the post holder working from home.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone with:

• Previous experience of developing successful renewable energy projects.
• A warm, positive and confident disposition that puts people at ease with excellent interpersonal and communication skills - able to relate to and engage with people from all backgrounds and gain the trust of rural communities.
• Project management skills and reporting to funders.
• Previous experience of managing budgets and making financial claims.
• Knowledge of the geography of Powys and the organisations that operate within it.
• Experience of engaging with local communities, building relationships, and supporting groups.

Desirable skills and experience include:

• Experience of partnership working and accessing support mechanisms e.g. Welsh Government Energy Service, Ynni Cymru, Cwmpas.
• Financial modelling and business planning.
• Experience of the planning system and applying for planning permission for renewable energy projects.
• Experience of building and managing regional, local and community-level partnerships.
• Developing share offer documents for renewable energy schemes.
• Understanding of how the UK power system works and the challenges facing grid connection in Powys.
• Written and spoken Welsh language skills – level 1.
• IT skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, online database systems) to conduct and accurately record all activities.

Equality

We are committed to improving the diversity of our team and therefore guarantee an interview to candidates from ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ or disabled communities who meet the essential job criteria, recognising that these are under-represented at Severn Wye – and in the sustainability sector at large. However, we will always appoint the candidate who best satisfies the job description and person specification.