Development Manager Jobs

Lightsource bp is a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects. We are a 50:50 joint venture with bp with a mission to help drive the world’s transition to low carbon energy.
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 will ‘be the change’ on 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 people who are passionate and have brilliant ideas about sustainable technology, innovation and making the world a better place.
Summary
To bring the necessary development expertise to deliver project milestones and the necessary technical solutions to contribute to the rapid growth of our operations to establish Lightsource bp as the United States’ pre-eminent developer of solar and storage projects for the West Region.
Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage a pipeline of projects from greenfield/acquisition through to financial close, closing transactions in a well-forecasted, timely manner that exceeds Lightsource bp’s margin requirements.
• Meet with landowners, governmental representatives, community groups in the acquisition of land and permitting for solar development. Build positive and lasting working relationships with stakeholders.
• Understand, negotiate and problem solve to create solutions to land, property and permitting concerns.
• Lead on the coordination of our internal departmental resource(s): technical, legal, grid, and construction to ensure competent negotiations on land rights, deeds, permits, planning and PPA.
• Engage in community affairs, public affairs, and marketing of projects.
• Ensure a high level of action orientated, clear communication is conducted with a project’s external parties and consultants.
• Identify greenfield and acquisition opportunities in conjunction with multiple internal and external staff and/or acquisition of land rights for solar development. Run land campaigns for the West Region of the US.
• Make presentations and represent Lightsource bp at community meetings, events, and site visits, conveying our business acumen in a professional manner while embodying the company values.
• Track and manage project spend to ensure projects are on track with budget and timing. Regularly update and provide clear forecasting of project cashflows and schedules to the organization.
• Present projects for internal risk-review evaluations and submit formal requests for budget approval when necessary.
• Provide proficient line management to up to 1 staff member, including regular 1-2-1’s, appraisals and setting personal development goals

Knowledge

• Understanding of solar energy and/or renewables industry, energy, and environmental issues
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Understanding of project finance and financial modelling
• Ability to comprehend and think outside the box on siting, land acquisition and permitting ordinances and regulatory structures
• Background working with farms, farming, and rural communities and/or communities in the West Region of the US a plus
• Strong written and verbal English language

Qualifications

• Excellent communication, negotiation, organization, and problem-solving skills required
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Projects
• Ability to adapt to changes in Company and Development team’s strategy
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in project development, real estate, planning, government, community organizing, community services, public affairs, marketing, communications, or related field (solar experience a plus)
• Bachelor’s degree in related discipline
• Post-graduate qualifications in related discipline a plus
• Willingness and ability to travel, especially in the West Region, occasionally on short notice

Experience

• Experience with land agreements, negotiations and permitting
• Proven Track Record of:

o Fostering positive & lasting working relationships with stakeholders
o Creative and professional thinking and problem-solving
o Project management: advancing projects financial close (FC) & COD
o Developing and managing work-related projects, deadlines and resources using project management software or familiarity with MS Excel and MS Projects.
Personal qualities

• Services

Carry out project development activities in a well managed, timely manner. Successfully implement changes and improvements in all operational activities required by the Company in addition to own role.

• Professional and Technical

Ability to develop and update professional knowledge and skills. Ability to apply professional knowledge and skills in advancement of business objectives.

• Communication and Negotiation

The ability to evaluate and convey complex information to others in an effective manner through clear, strong persuasive communication, negotiating skills and clear presentation skills in both verbal and written contexts.

• Strategy

Adapts to changes in Lightsource bp’s and Development team’s strategy whilst developing own strategy to achieve personal goal of competently developing projects.

• People

Assesses own development needs and develops self to improve job performance and fulfil future potential. Contributes to the team ethos of Lightsource bp.
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: Join an agile, international team working across 15 countries to power the future and positively impact people, communities, ecosystems and biodiversity across the world.
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.
We offer

• Lightsource bp currently observes the following 11 holidays in the US: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• US team members receive a monthly personal phone bill reimbursement of up to $100 and a monthly commuter benefit of up to $150. Team members also receive one-time wellness and remote work allowances.
• Team members in the US enjoy a hybrid work environment.
• Lightsource bp offers US team members immediate eligibility for a 401(k) plan, with a 3% nonelective employer contribution.
• US team members are entitled to medical benefits, life insurance, dental benefits, vision benefits and short- and long-term disability benefits.
• Our team members are eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, calculated based on corporate, team and individual objectives. Team members in the US may receive an additional 50% of their annual bonus in a “retention bank” as well, available for withdrawal after three years of bonus awards have accrued.
• US team members accrue 20 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave annually. All team members are also eligible for COVID-19 leave.

Lightsource bp is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.