Head of Development, UK

Department: Development

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Manchester

Description

Key Responsibilities

• Providing leadership and direction on all aspects of project development, working with the Country Head to review and update the UK development strategy and business plan as needed.
• Leading and managing the UK Development Team including recruitment, development and retention of personnel.
• Driving the growth of the development pipeline through identifying greenfield opportunities, entering partnerships and / or through acquisition of development project rights to meet growth targets.
• Working within Cubico’s overall project delivery framework, implementing robust and efficient processes for the whole development lifecycle (from site identification to financial close)
• Leading the UK team to deliver on development programmes for all projects to ensure that budgets and timeframes are met, and quality is optimised with a view to maximising long term project returns.
• Being accountable for development portfolio reporting.
• Working with the Engineering, Technical, Legal and Commercialisation teams to ensure the best commercial outcome for projects, including site layouts, technology choice, design requirements etc.
• Managing and maintaining a diverse range of external and internal stakeholder relationships, including public consultations, negotiation and finalisation of property agreements, etc.
• Ensuring portfolio risk registers are maintained and proactively managed. Identifying and managing project risks and solutions for coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactively engaging with market, planning and grid reform discussions, ensuring that Cubico is an active voice in the various consultations that are taking place.

Expertise, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience in leadership of a development team, including motivating, developing and directing the group towards assigned objectives.
• Significant professional experience in development of energy projects, with a deep knowledge of the wind and solar development process in the UK.
• Ideally experience of managing wind and solar projects through both TCPA and NSIP planning approvals.
• Proven track record of originating and delivering projects successfully.
• Strong network of industry contacts from which to generate investment or development opportunities.
• Willingness to travel as required.

• Appropriate Bachelor’s / Master’s degree or relevant qualification.
• A good understanding of the UK energy industry, with a particular focus on renewable energy, including site assessments, project economics, resource assessments and renewable energy and storage technologies and their drivers. This will include a detailed understanding of the various relevant market reform activities underway and their associated impact on renewables development.
• In depth experience of the renewable energy project development process from inception to construction of a project, including site selection, understanding of the site constraints, community and landowner engagement, permitting and network connection activities.

• Strong communication skills – including both verbal and written.
• A structured approach to management and a leadership style that leads by example.
• Demonstrates a critical approach and is motivated, bright and personable.
• Proactive and pragmatic with a positive attitude and can-do approach.
• Enthusiastic and able to take ownership of problems and provide solutions.