Lead Renewables Developer

Job Description

We are recruiting a Lead Project Developer for progressing a selection of renewable energy projects from origination handover through development, consenting, and technical/commercial maturation, delivering late-stage, de-risked projects ready for handover to the Project Delivery team.

Reporting to the Head of Project Development, the role will take ownership of a selection of projects within and overall growing 3GW+ pipeline of onshore wind, solar PV, and BESS assets across the UK. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring assigned projects are consented, grid-secured, and commercially optimised, with development risks identified and actively managed through to pre-construction.

The role will be based at our office in Edinburgh or Glasgow, and there will be some requirement for UK travel depending on site locations.

What you will do

• Take ownership of a selection of onshore wind and solar projects from origination handover stage through to late stage (planning consent, grid contracted, land secured, commercially optimised).
• Lead and line manage a number of project developers and other key team members.
• Ensure strict alignment of assigned projects with internal investment criteria and project programme targets.
• Support, oversee and implement consenting strategies for a variety of projects across UK jurisdictions.
• Manage planning applications, EIA processes, and coordinate external consultants.
• Lead project-level grid connection strategy, working with grid engineers on interfaces with TOs, and DNOs.
• Coordinate technical inputs including layout design, yield assessments, and technology assumptions.
• Support financial modelling, lead on project budgeting, and project valuation tracking.
• Identify and implement commercial optimisation opportunities (capex/opex, contracting, land agreements).
• Lead on the preparation of project investment papers for gate approvals and budget investment committees.
• Take ownership for assigned projects, the implementation and continuous improvement of development processes, including risk management, programme tracking, and cost control.
• Ensure a structured and well-documented handover of assigned projects to EPC, Project Delivery, or internal investment teams.

What you'll need to succeed

• Demonstratable experience and track record in UK renewable energy project development.
• Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Planning, or related field.
• Proven track record progressing commercial scale projects through key development milestones.
• Direct experience in progressing projects through the UK planning system (TCPA, NSIP, Section 36 consents), grid connection process, EIA and environmental constraints.
• Experience across both onshore wind and solar PV.
• Commercial awareness with experience of managing challenging projects, contract negotiations, cost management processes.
• Understanding of CfD auctions, and route to market considerations is an advantage.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and workstreams simultaneously.
• Experience working on complex projects, with the ability to identify risks and develop practical mitigation strategies.
• Organised and pragmatic, with a solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, experience working with landowners, local authorities and consultees, internal multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication skills, both written (reports, presentations, applications) and verbal.
• Proven risk management and problem-solving.
• Ability to make decisions considerate of technical, legal, commercial, consenting influences.
• Strong attention to detail combined with the ability to see the bigger picture across a project lifecycle.
• In possession of the right to work in UK.

What's in it for you?

• Being part of a highly motivated ever-growing and multicultural team that drives forward the energy revolution
• Innovative and fast-changing market and working environment
• Hybrid Working
• Private Health Insurance
• Life Assurance Cover
• Company Pension Scheme
• Flexible Working Environment
• Yearly Discretionary Performance Bonus Scheme
• Mental Health First Aid support
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides all employees with 24/7 access to telephone and online counselling
• Access to an online benefits portal which includes travel and shopping discounts, healthy living advice & a financial well-being resource bank

Benefits can vary depending on the location and are not legally binding.