Senior Development Manager
Department: Development UK & ROI
Location: Northern Ireland (Belfast highly preferred) or Republic of Ireland
About Lightsource bp
We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development.
For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise.
Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long-term sustainable growth and energy security.
Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024.
What You’ll do (the role)
Summary
In this role, you’ll bring the necessary expertise and relevant industry contacts to contribute to the rapid growth of our UK and Ireland Development operations, with a special focus on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
You will autonomously manage a pipeline of projects from an early stage through to financial close, ensuring they are bankable and ready for investment in line with business targets. Alongside project development, you’ll manage, create and update processes that benefit the team and business, taking initiative to improve Lightsource bp’s efficiency, productivity and competitive edge.
Duties and responsibilities
- Drive 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: planning, PPA, technical, commercial engineering, procurement, legal, grid, and delivery
- Bridge the relationship with all relevant stakeholders including DNO, landowners, TA, EPC and ICP and internal resource to ensure competent negotiations on land rights, deeds, permits, DNO offers, planning, construction contracts and PPA where required.
- Oversee projects effectively – leading meetings and communications and directing stakeholders to ensure maximum efficiency. This requires a high level of action-orientated, clear communication at all times, including weekly and monthly meetings/reporting to peers, project team and Executives
- Run financial models and use price indicators to negotiate commercial terms which meet Lightsource bp’s margin requirements.
- Regularly update and provide clear forecasting of project cashflows in line with budget forecasts.
- Liaise with all relevant stakeholders to obtain the information required to independently write and present formal budget requests to Executive Management Committee and Investment Committee.
- Understand and negotiate solutions to property reports involving legal team where necessary.
- Understand and negotiate commercial issues in ICP and EPC contracts supporting the delivery and construction team where necessary.
- Represent Lightsource bp at community and company events, conveying our business and development acumen in a professional manner while enforcing company strategies.
- Provide proficient line management to up to 1-2 staff members as required, including regular 1-2-1’s, appraisals and setting personal development goals
- Provide timely market intelligence (projects, trends, competitors’ activities)
In addition, the Employee will engage in other activities in the APAC region.
Who we’re looking for
Knowledge
- Strong breadth of knowledge across full solar development life cycle
- Knowledge of Option to Lease/ land rights agreements is essential
- Understanding of grid & knowledge/relationships with UK DNOs is essential
- Understanding of project finance and financial modelling terms
- Strong written and verbal English language
- Understanding of renewables industry, energy and environmental issues in UK and EU
- Reasonable understanding of Private Wire and Corporate PPAs
Qualifications
- Degree in related discipline desirable
Experience
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in solar development
- Strong track record of closing deals and contracts
- Developing and managing work-related projects, deadlines and resources across cross-functional teams is a must
- Experience in M&A is beneficial
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in related discipline
Why you’ll make a great member of the team
Personal qualities
- Team player with ability to forge long term professional relationships with third parties
- Ability to work autonomously and take initiative to independently problem solve
- Highly adaptable with ability to learn quickly and work to tight deadlines.
- Ability to take the lead in situations that require a strong voice to close issues
- Excellent negotiator and communicator
- Attention to detail
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.