Development Manager EMEA

Location

London | United Kingdom

Job description

Development Manager EMEA

Job Title:  Development Manager EMEA

Department:Development EMEA

About Lightsource bp

Lightsource bp is a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects, and a 50:50 joint venture with bp. Our purpose is to deliver affordable and sustainable solar power for businesses and communities around the world.

With solar set to increase tenfold in the next 20 years, we are well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. By joining the Lightsource bp team, you have a chance to ‘be the change’ - driving the world’s energy transition to a more sustainable future.

We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit as we continue to push the boundaries of an ever-changing energy landscape. By choosing a career with us, you can expect a challenging and fulfilling role surrounded by passionate people with brilliant ideas about sustainable technology, innovation and making the world a better place.

What you’ll do (the role)

Summary

In this role, you will be part of team whose focus is to continually improve how we develop projects at Lightsource bp, to both improve delivery in the short term and ensure we retain our standing as one of the world’s leading solar developers in years to come.

To do this the team will work across all of our EMEA countries to;

1. Collect and disseminate critical development knowledge across the business in to support of countries becoming execution machines, capable of delivering projects at pace and at scale
2. Be responsible for driving best-practice and standardisation in Lightsource bp ways of working, with an emphasis on the 12 months before closing
3. Ensure seamless collaboration between project, country and central teams
4. Build the internal Lightsource bp Development ‘brand’, defining what it means to be a Lightsource bp developer and the skills and standards that should be upheld in the role
5. Become experts at using tools and technology to support the development process, and coach development teams to do the same

You’ll work closely with in-country development teams and central functions to manage a pipeline of projects through to financial close, ensuring they are bankable and ready for investment or sale, in line with business targets. Alongside project development, you’ll manage, create and update processes which contribute to the standardization and enhancement of the region’s project development capabilities, and roll out proprietary tools and systems to ensure that Lightsource bp ways of working are applied consistently across the business.

We are seeking a well-rounded individual, to be part of a high performing team with challenging targets/opportunities as well as diverse projects in nature.

Duties and responsibilities

• Work alongside in-country development teams* to progress development and close transactions in a well-forecasted, timely manner that exceeds Lightsource bp’s margin requirements by coordinating different workstreams and internal departmental resource: permitting, PPA, technical, commercial engineering, procurement, legal, grid, and delivery
• Create and maintain strong working relationships with in-country project teams and other stakeholders across the business, enhancing the service we can provide to in-country development teams.
• Work across multiple geographies to improve existing ways of working and implement new processes, requiring the ability to listen to stakeholders from many different cultures, with different levels and areas of expertise and find consensus between them.
• Provide strategic support and advice on external negotiations relating to land rights, deeds, permits, grid offers, planning, construction contracts and PPA where required, to ensure bankable agreements are reached on time.
• Oversee projects effectively – leading meetings alongside in-country DMs and escalating issues where appropriate. This necessitates high levels of action-orientation, clear communication at all times, including weekly and monthly meetings/reporting to peers, project team and occasionally Executives
• Ensure in-country teams are implementing effective project management practises, such as keeping project cashflows and timelines accurate and up-to-date.
• Support the in-country teams* in writing and presenting formal budget requests to senior leadership, Executive Management Committee and Investment Committee, working with senior members of the Central Dev team to ensure the requests are well thought through and robust before they are presented.
• Understand property reports and key issues by asking relevant questions and using experience in other geographies and projects where applicable, working closely with in-country development and legal teams as necessary.
• Understand commercial issues in ICP and EPC contracts supporting the delivery and construction team where necessary.
• Provide input and challenge to the in-country teams when they are running financial modelling exercises to ensure the inputs & outputs are robust and well thought through, especially in relation to having robust databook assumptions

*Note that the expectation for this role is to provide direct support to a minimum of 2 countries, with indirect support provided to a further 2+.

Who we’re looking for

Knowledge

• Excellent project management skills with an appreciation of the challenges presented by working with multi-disciplinary teams and cultures
• Excellent relationship management skills, including conflict management, managing team dynamics and effective communication
• A good understanding of the solar development life cycle and renewables industry at least one country
• Experience of general transaction management (managing internal resource/consultants/stakeholders, adhering to transaction timelines)
• High-level knowledge of property, PPA and EPC contracts
• Understanding of project finance and financial modelling terms
• Strong written and verbal English language (other languages beneficial but not necessary)

Qualifications

• Degree in related discipline desirable

Experience

• Strong track record in renewable project development and closing deals
• Experience in developing and managing work-related projects, people, deadlines and resources across cross-function teams is a must
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in development and or/contracting of renewables, preferably solar

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow; a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible

Our culture is driven by our core values. From operating safely to ensuring our solar projects are responsible and promote biodiversity. 

Be recognized

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired

Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. Initiatives to get involved with including our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project or our sustainability initiatives.

Our Core Values

Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do. 

https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers/

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