Project Developer

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 operates with five core values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Drive.

We seek to attract and hire individuals who share our commitment to creating a safe workplace, uphold the highest standards of integrity, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, communities, and the environment. Our recruitment process promotes sustainability by valuing long-term growth and responsible practices, while seeking candidates with the drive to innovate and lead in the global energy transition.

Together, these values shape how we engage, assess, and welcome talent to join us in delivering transformational solar power solutions worldwide. 

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 attitude to contribute to the rapid growth of our UK Development operations.

You will autonomously manage a pipeline of solar/co-located solar plus projects from an early stage, 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 new business opportunities by working closely with the wider development team and strategic stakeholders to identify opportunities, present for investment and bring through the permitting process 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, ICP and internal resource to ensure competent negotiations on land rights, deeds, permits, DNO offers, planning and PPA interactions 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 Investment Committees.
• Understand and negotiate solutions to property reports involving legal 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 timely market intelligence (projects, trends, competitors’ activities).

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Option to Lease/ land rights agreements essential.
• Understanding of grid & knowledge/relationships with UK DNOs and National Grid 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.

Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree ideally in sciences, finance or engineering.
• Solar/BESS experience preferred but minimum 2 years’ experience in wider renewables or infrastructure.
• Developing and managing work-related projects, deadlines and resources across cross-functional teams is a must.
• Experience in M&A is beneficial.

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.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Full Driving License Required – must be willing and able to travel to sites and to London office.

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 projects are responsible.

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. These include our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project, or volunteering on our VIBES committee to name a few.

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.

For further information on our career opportunities and life at Lightsource bp, please visit https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers/

Why you’ll want to stay with us

At Lightsource bp, you’ll work within agile, cross-functional teams where diverse perspectives come together. Our culture embraces open knowledge sharing and collaboration, empowering you to learn from others and accelerate progress collectively.

Your career growth is our priority and a shared journey. We are committed to developing talent from within and prepare you for career advancement so you can shape a fulfilling and lasting journey here.

In today’s fast-changing world, a learning mindset is essential and therefore we proactively support upskilling to help you push your skill boundaries and stay ahead in your field, so you can not only keep pace with change but confidently shape a brighter future.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status.   Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation related to LSbp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.).  If you would like to request an accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us to request accommodations.