Head of Development
SKILLS
FULL DESCRIPTION
Summary
We’re working with a leading IPP, to appoint a Head of Development to spearhead development and consenting activities across a significant and fast-growing portfolio of onshore wind, solar, BESS and green hydrogen projects.
Key Responsibilities:
- Define and drive the company’s development strategy for onshore renewables across the UK.
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing development team, including project managers, planners, and technical advisors.
- Identify, assess, and secure new project opportunities, working closely with landowners, agents, and local authorities.
- Oversee all aspects of planning and environmental permitting processes, ensuring timely and successful outcomes.
- Develop strong relationships with communities, councils, regulators, grid operators, and other key stakeholders.
- Support commercial negotiations including land agreements, grid connections, and partnerships.
- Work closely with engineering, legal, finance, and construction teams to ensure project viability and alignment.
Required Experience:
- 8+ years' experience in the UK onshore renewables sector, with a strong track record in wind and/or solar development.
- Proven leadership and team management experience.
- In-depth understanding of the UK planning system, environmental impact assessments, and grid connection processes.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to drive pipeline growth and navigate regulatory and market complexities.
- Degree qualified in a relevant discipline (e.g., environmental science, planning, engineering, or similar).
Role Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Define and drive the company’s development strategy for onshore renewables across the UK.
- Team Management: Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing development team, including project managers, planners, and technical advisors.
- Project Pipeline: Identify, assess, and secure new project opportunities, working closely with landowners, agents, and local authorities.
- Planning & Consents: Oversee all aspects of planning and environmental permitting processes, ensuring timely and successful outcomes.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Develop strong relationships with communities, councils, regulators, grid operators, and other key stakeholders.
- Commercial Oversight: Support commercial negotiations including land agreements, grid connections, and partnerships.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, legal, finance, and construction teams to ensure project viability and alignment.
Required Experience
- 8+ years' experience in the UK onshore renewables sector, with a strong track record in wind and/or solar development.
- Proven leadership and team management experience.
- In-depth understanding of the UK planning system, environmental impact assessments, and grid connection processes.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to drive pipeline growth and navigate regulatory and market complexities.
- Degree qualified in a relevant discipline (e.g., environmental science, planning, engineering, or similar).