At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of solar projects and manage the full project lifecycle.
- Company: Join Uniper, a forward-thinking energy company transforming the future of energy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, health benefits, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Opportunities for personal growth and collaboration with diverse teams across the globe.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in renewable energy while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in renewable energy project development and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: Birmingham, GB, B37 7YE; Immingham, GB, DN40 3LU; London, GB, SW1W 0EB; Nottingham, GB, NG11 0EE
Contract type: Full time
Compensation: Competitive
Reporting to the Head of Solar Development- UK, we are looking for an influential, innovative and experienced Development Manager specializing in solar development to join our growing UK team and to help shape and accelerate our journey to delivering our goals. As a key member of the UK team, the role will provide expert understanding of the solar market in the UK and RoI and be able to develop key development partnerships externally as well as undertake in-house greenfield development of solar projects.
Your responsibilities:
- Lead the development of utility-scale solar and BESS projects across the UK, Ireland and, where required, other Uniper markets, ensuring projects achieve commercial viability and are successfully progressed through all development milestones.
- Manage the full project development lifecycle from origination through to Final Investment Decision (FD), covering both greenfield developments and acquired project opportunities.
- Secure and manage critical development workstreams, including land agreements, permitting, environmental assessments, stakeholder engagement and grid connection activities.
- Manage external development partners, consultants and contract developers to ensure delivery against agreed project objectives, schedules and budgets.
- Lead project design and consenting activities, including environmental assessments, planning applications, appeals and the discharge of consent conditions.
- Support business development and acquisition activities by conducting technical and development due diligence, assessing project maturity, risks and value creation opportunities.
- Monitor, interpret and respond to regulatory, planning and market developments, ensuring projects remain compliant and commercially competitive.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with landowners, permitting authorities, grid operators, community stakeholders, regulators and other key external parties.
- Collaborate closely with Engineering, Construction, Procurement, Asset Operations, Commercial, Energy Offtake and other internal teams to ensure projects are developed with a clear pathway to construction and operation.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes, standards and best practices across the renewables business.
Your profile:
Essential:
- Experience in the development of utility-scale renewable energy projects, ideally solar and energy storage projects.
- Understanding of all stages of project development, including site origination, land agreements, permitting, environmental assessments, grid connections and progression to Final Investment Decision.
- Proven track record of successfully delivering renewable energy projects through key development milestones.
- Knowledge of UK and/or Irish planning, permitting and regulatory frameworks relevant to renewable energy development.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple internal and external stakeholders, consultants and development partners simultaneously.
- Excellent project management skills, including budget management, scheduling, risk management and progress reporting.
- Commercial awareness, with an understanding of project economics, development value drivers and investment decision criteria.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including Engineering, Construction, Legal, Finance, Commercial and Asset Management functions.
- Good understanding of financial concepts, project valuation methodologies and investment appraisal principles.
- Fluent English language skills.
Desirable:
- Experience negotiating and managing development agreements, land agreements, co-development agreements, service agreements and project acquisition transactions.
- Experience undertaking development due diligence for project acquisitions and partnership opportunities.
- Interpersonal skills and the ability to represent Uniper effectively with external stakeholders and development partners.
- Technical expertise in solar PV and/or energy storage systems.
- Degree (Master's or equivalent) in Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Business, Economics, Law or a related discipline.
- Solution-oriented, resilient and proactive approach, with the ability to perform in a dynamic development environment.
- Willingness to travel and work effectively within an international and multicultural organisation.
- Growth mindset with openness to new technologies and a willingness to continuously develop relevant skills and capabilities.
At Uniper, we not only reward our employees with attractive salaries, an excellent company pension and health-related benefits for their hard work and dedication to shaping the future energy transition. You can also expect a supportive working culture that offers a wide range of creative and innovative ideas. We enable various flexible working arrangements, whilst also supporting with home office equipment. Through regular training and workshops, together we work towards visualising yourself in our company as if it were your own. We support you in highlighting your individual potential, achieving your personal goals, and reaching your ambitions.
We invite you to become part of our diverse company with international colleagues from more than 80 countries.
As an employer, Uniper has committed itself to providing special support to certain areas:
- Personal development and Learning opportunities
- Enhanced company pension – With up to 12% company contributions
- 26 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- Electric vehicle charging at our sites
- In house Occupational Health Services
- Company funded Private Medical Insurance including free GP service
- Performance related benefits
- Access to a range of flexible benefits such as Share Incentive Plan, Dental, Critical Illness and Life Insurance, Cycle2Work, or buy and sell extra holiday
- Future career opportunities
Project Development Manager - Solar (12 Month Fixed Term) employer: Uniper Energy
Uniper Energy is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the Holford Gas Storage facility where innovation meets sustainability. Employees benefit from comprehensive personal development opportunities, a robust pension scheme, and a culture that prioritises collaboration and technical excellence, making it an ideal place for those looking to grow in the field of cyber secure automation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Development Manager - Solar (12 Month Fixed Term)
✨Get Plugged into Local Energy Events
Dive into energy and utilities-specific events in your area, like community workshops or regional renewable energy fairs. These gatherings are perfect for meeting industry insiders and gaining insights that can boost your chances when you chat with Uniper Energy.
✨Summer Opportunities Await!
Temporary roles in the energy sector often peak during summer or peak project periods. Keep your eyes open for advertised roles on sites like indeed.co.uk, but also consider reaching out directly to companies like Uniper Energy to ask about upcoming opportunities.
✨Show Your Passion for Sustainability
Craft a brief personal statement about why renewable energy matters to you, and be ready to share it in any interviews or conversations. This can help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about the sector, a quality that can be golden for temporary roles.
✨Utilise Job Boards Specific to Energy
Check out job boards that focus on the energy sector, like Energy Jobline or RenewableEnergyJobs. These platforms are tailored to our industry, and you'll find temporary roles that may not be listed elsewhere, bringing you one step closer to landing that role at Uniper Energy.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Development Manager - Solar (12 Month Fixed Term)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Energy Sector Know-How:When you're applying for a temporary role in the energy and utilities sector, it’s crucial to showcase any relevant experience or knowledge you have. Highlight specific projects or coursework that demonstrate your understanding of energy systems, sustainability, or utilities management. This way, we can see you’re not just a candidate – you’re someone who knows the territory!
Certifications Matter!:If you've got any certifications related to energy management or renewable energy techniques, be sure to mention them! These are not just nice-to-haves but can really set you apart from other candidates. We’d love to see that commitment to the field reflected in your application. If you’ve got any safety training relevant to utilities, make it known!
Flexibility is Key for Temporary Roles:In your application, emphasise your availability and willingness to adapt to different roles or shifts. Since this is a temporary position, showing that you can hit the ground running and adjust to the needs of the team will make you a more attractive candidate to Uniper Energy.
Tailor Your CV to Shine:Ditch the one-size-fits-all CV approach! Tailor your CV specifically for the temporary role at Uniper Energy by emphasising skills that align with the job requirements. Be concise, but don’t forget to sprinkle in specific examples related to energy and utilities to make your application stand out. Remember, a well-customised CV speaks volumes!
How to prepare for a job interview at Uniper Energy
✨Show Your Passion for Sustainability
In the energy-utilities sector, it's key to highlight your commitment to sustainable practices and innovative solutions. Be ready to share examples of how you've engaged with energy efficiency projects or how you stay updated on industry trends. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but genuinely care about making an impact.
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
Temporary roles in energy-utilities often require specific technical knowledge related to energy systems, regulations, and emerging technologies. Make sure you’re familiar with tools like energy management software or simulations. You might get asked technical questions on how to optimise energy use or manage resources efficiently.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary position, the interviewer will likely want to know how quickly you can adapt to new environments and teams. Be prepared to discuss previous experiences where you had to learn on the job or take on new responsibilities swiftly. Highlighting your flexibility will show you're a great fit for short-term projects.
✨Demonstrate Your Teamwork Skills
In the energy-utilities sector, collaboration is essential. Come armed with examples that illustrate how well you work within a team — whether it’s during a challenging project or a routine operation. Temporary roles often involve stepping into existing teams, so showcasing your ability to integrate smoothly will set you apart.
