Wind Development Manager

Job Title: Development Manager, Australia

Department: Development APAC

Location: Sydney

Reporting to: Head of Wind Development

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 and battery development, achieving financial close on over 12GW globally to date, with over 2GW of this in Australia.

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 has for several years been working to build upon its successes in solar and BESS to develop a high-quality wind and wind hybrid portfolio, and is now active in several geographies, with financial close on our first Australian wind project targeted for 2027.

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

To lead the development of wind and wind/solar/BESS hybrid projects from origination through to financial close. You will be closely supported by the Head of Wind Development and Lightsource bp’s technical teams, including specialists in wind planning and approvals, wind engineering, civil and electrical site design, turbine procurement and financing.

Initially this role will be chiefly focused on a large, advanced wind hybrid project located in WA which is on a pathway toward financial close in 2027 and represents a high priority for Lightsource bp. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead this project through to financial close.

Responsibilities of the Role

• Support the Head of Wind Development to prospect, develop and optimise wind and wind/solar/BESS sites
• To build and help to manage external relationships at a range of levels including landholders, community members, local council, regulatory authorities and network service providers
• To act as the primary decision-maker and coordinate all relevant technical teams on your projects including legal, planning, wind and site engineering, procurement, energy markets, delivery and financing
• To forecast, track and manage development budgets and financial models
• To establish and maintain project schedules and timelines
• To effectively report on project progress to the Head of Wind Development and other senior management
• To understand and help to develop and improve company and business practices and strategies
• In addition, the Employee will perform such other duties, appropriate to the position as the Company may from time to time require.

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

Experience & Knowledge Required

• Four years + experience in developing infrastructure projects, with specific experience in renewables. Experience in wind development highly desirable.
• Non-development-oriented project management, public sector and other relevant experience will also be considered.
• Experience in taking projects through advanced stages (permitting, procurement, financial close) will be highly valued
• Understanding of the renewables industry and awareness of key State and Federal governmental policy, energy and environmental issues valued

Skills Required

• Excellent communication and people skills
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Strong project management capability
• Broad understanding of commercial activities including strategy, financial models, Power Purchase Agreements, financing arrangements and legal agreements will be valued
• Technical capabilities in wind, electrical design, civil engineering or other relevant areas will be valued
• Adaptability and creative problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and quality of output

Education Required

• Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in engineering, science, law or other relevant areas preferred but not mandatory for candidates strong in other respects
• Other relevant qualifications (for example, project management or financial modelling) are desirable

Additional Notes

Regular travel to project sites in WA, NSW, Queensland and potentially other regions will be required, averaging monthly for 1-3 days but occasionally more frequently as project needs dictate

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.