Head of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) (Hybrid, Glasgow/London/Flexible UK office)

Head of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) (Hybrid, Glasgow/London/Flexible UK office)

Glasgow Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Varda Advisory

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and grow Varda's Battery Energy Storage Systems advisory practice from the ground up.
  • Company: Join a pioneering renewable energy consultancy with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, flexible working, and long-term incentives.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth and mentorship.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of energy storage while making a real impact in the renewable sector.
  • Qualifications: Degree in relevant engineering field and significant BESS experience required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Are you passionate about energy storage and excited by the opportunity to build something from the ground up? Varda Advisory is seeking an exceptional individual to lead our Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) technical advisory practice. Joining Varda Advisory will provide an opportunity to help build a specialist advisory business from an early stage, with meaningful influence over its direction and growth.

About Varda Advisory: Varda Advisory is a specialist UK renewable energy consultancy founded in 2026 by a team of industry experts with a shared track record of delivering high-impact technical advice on some of the world’s most prominent renewable energy transactions. We specialise in technical due diligence (TDD) across offshore wind, onshore wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), drawing on decades of hands-on experience advising assets throughout the full project lifecycle. Our team is trusted by investors, lenders, developers, and asset owners to provide clear, pragmatic, and commercially focused insights that support confident decision-making during renewable energy transactions. As a growing and inclusive business, we are committed to creating an environment where talented people from all backgrounds can thrive. Varda Advisory is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background.

The Role: This is a leadership position responsible for building and scaling Varda Advisory’s BESS capability from the ground up. You will serve as our recognised technical authority on energy storage, lead high-impact client engagements, shape our service offering, and help grow a team of BESS specialists in line with our pragmatic approach to technical due diligence across M&A, debt and insurance advisory. The role spans the full BESS project lifecycle, from development-stage feasibility through construction, commissioning, and operational performance.

  • Key Responsibilities:
  • Help to grow and lead Varda’s BESS practice: Help evolve the service offering, strategic roadmap and go-to-market approach for the firm’s BESS advisory capability.
  • Lead BESS technical due diligence: Deliver lender- and investor-grade technical due diligence for acquisitions, project finance and refinancing mandates.
  • Act as senior technical advisor: Advise clients across development, construction, commissioning and operations, including technology selection, system design, safety, degradation, contracts and revenue assumptions.
  • Deliver OE and LTA mandates: Lead Owner’s Engineer (OE) and Lender’s Technical Advisor (LTA) scopes, including design reviews, construction monitoring, factory visits and performance testing oversight.
  • Develop client relationships: Build trusted relationships with developers, investors, lenders, fund managers, OEMs and other key participants in the UK, European and international BESS markets.
  • Lead proposals and commercial scopes: Prepare and oversee proposals, scopes of work, fee estimates and commercial responses for BESS advisory mandates.
  • Provide market and technical insight: Track BESS market trends, technology developments, regulation, grid services and revenue models to keep Varda’s advice current and commercially relevant.
  • Build and mentor the team: Recruit, develop and support a high-performing team of BESS consultants and engineers, while maintaining strong QA/QC standards.
  • Collaborate across technologies: Work with Varda’s wind, solar and broader due diligence teams to deliver integrated multi-technology advisory mandates.

Qualifications & Experience: The following qualifications and experience will help you succeed in this role:

  • Degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Energy Engineering or a closely related discipline; a master’s degree is preferred.
  • Significant energy sector experience, including at least five years focused on BESS in a technical consulting, OEM, developer or owner’s engineer capacity.
  • Proven track record delivering BESS technical due diligence, Owner’s Engineer and/or Lender’s Technical Advisor assignments for lenders, investors or developers.
  • Strong technical knowledge of grid-scale BESS technologies, system design, safety, degradation, contracts, grid connection, revenue models and market mechanisms.
  • Experience in project finance, M&A or other transaction-led environments, with the ability to produce investor- and lender-facing reports.
  • Strong commercial acumen, including experience scoping, pricing and delivering consulting engagements and managing senior client relationships.
  • Additional relevant experience in areas such as hybrid projects, insurance advisory, construction or operational BESS delivery, team mentoring, additional languages or industry standards development would be beneficial.

Personal Qualities:

  • Entrepreneurial mindset: Comfortable building a practice area within a growing, founder-led consultancy.
  • Client focus: Committed to delivering commercially relevant, high quality technical advice.
  • Autonomous and self-motivated: Able to manage your own workload, priorities, and client relationships with minimal oversight.
  • Collaborative: A team player who thrives in a flat, informal structure and enjoys knowledge sharing across disciplines.
  • Commercially astute: Understands the interplay between technical risk and investment decisions.

Why Join Varda Advisory:

  • The opportunity to help build a specialist advisory business from an early stage, with meaningful influence over its direction and growth.
  • A competitive salary and bonus, benchmarked against leading independent renewable energy consultancies.
  • Ability to participate in the company’s long-term incentive plan.
  • Direct exposure to complex, high-value renewable energy transactions across the UK, Europe, and international markets.
  • A senior-level environment that values rigour, independence, sound judgement, and advice that clients can act on.
  • Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, supported by an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture.
  • The chance to shape the future of Varda Advisory’s BESS offering as part of a focused renewables platform.
  • Ability to integrate with PEAK Wind and its global platform.
Varda Advisory

Contact Details:

Varda Advisory Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) (Hybrid, Glasgow/London/Flexible UK office)

Get Involved with Industry Events

The energy and utilities sector is always buzzing with events, trade shows, and networking opportunities. We should hit up conferences and exhibitions like Energy UK or Utility Week Live—these are prime spots to mingle with industry professionals and even snag some insider info on job openings!

Join Energy-focused Online Communities

Let's tap into online platforms and forums like LinkedIn groups or Reddit communities specifically for energy and utilities. Not only can we showcase our knowledge, but we can also stay updated on company announcements or job leads from people already in the know.

Consider Industry Certifications

Pushing ahead with certifications like the NEBOSH National Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health (if you’re into safety) can give us a leg up in this competitive field. It not only builds our credibility but also shows employers that we’re serious about our career in energy and utilities.

Apply ThroughVarda Advisory's Website

Don’t forget to apply directly through Varda Advisory's website for the full-time Head of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) (Hybrid, Glasgow/London/Flexible UK office) role. Many companies prioritise candidates who show initiative by going straight to the source. Make sure we tailor our application to highlight our passion for the energy sector!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) (Hybrid, Glasgow/London/Flexible UK office)

Technical Due Diligence (TDD)
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Project Lifecycle Management
Owner's Engineer (OE) Expertise
Lender's Technical Advisor (LTA) Experience
Grid-Scale BESS Technologies Knowledge
System Design and Safety

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Energy Knowledge:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure you highlight any knowledge or experience related to the energy-utilities sector. Whether it’s coursework, internships, or projects that showcase your understanding of energy management, sustainability, or regulatory frameworks, we want to see that passion and expertise shine through.

Quantify Your Achievements:In our field, numbers speak volumes! Don’t just tell us about your previous roles; quantify your achievements where possible. For instance, mention how you improved energy efficiency by a percentage or contributed to cost savings. This makes your application more compelling and shows us just how impactful you can be.

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Varda Advisory. Tailor it to reflect how your values align with our mission in the energy sector. Share why you're excited about this specific role and how you envision contributing to our goals.

Demonstrate Your Team Spirit:Collaboration is key in the energy-utilities industry. In your application, emphasise any team projects or experiences where you worked effectively with others, especially on sustainability initiatives or technical projects. We're looking for someone who can mesh well with our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Varda Advisory

Show Your Passion for Renewable Energy

In the energy-utilities sector, it’s vital to demonstrate your enthusiasm for sustainable practices and innovations. Share experiences where you've worked on or studied renewable energy projects, whether that’s through coursework, past internships, or personal initiatives. Let us see how your passion aligns with the ethos of Varda Advisory.

Brush Up on Industry Regulations

Being familiar with industry standards and regulations is crucial in energy-utilities interviews. Make sure to know the basics of relevant policies and frameworks, like the Energy Act or environmental legislation. This will not only show you’ve done your homework but will also prepare you for potential technical questions about compliance during your interview.

Highlight Teamwork and Project Management Skills

Most roles in the energy sector involve collaboration with diverse teams. Be ready to discuss examples where you’ve successfully worked in teams or led projects, especially those involving energy initiatives. This is particularly important for a full-time position, as employers want to see you bring a collaborative spirit to Varda Advisory.

Prepare for Technical Assessments

Expect some technical questions or even practical assessments during your interview, especially about energy efficiency methodologies or basic engineering principles relevant to the role. It’s a good idea to brush up on key concepts and be prepared to explain them clearly, as this will demonstrate your technical proficiency and readiness to jump into your new role.