Solar Project Development Manager - Private Wire
Job Type
Permanent
Emp Type
Full Time
Industry
Environment and Renewable Energy
Functional Expertise
Countries, Regions
Salary Type
Annual
Salary
Negotiable
Job Description
Senior Project Development Manager – Private Wire
Leap29 have a fantastic opportunity which is available as Senior Project Development Manager for Private Wire projects, including Onshore Wind private wire, for the UK market.
The company which we recruit for are an entrepreneurial type business sin which their clients are industrial power users (IPUs). The projects will connect to the IPU behind the meter via private wire, with cable lengths reaching up to 7km. At the generation site, projects may include:
• Ground-mounted Solar PV (current primary focus)
• Onshore Wind (Growth Focus)
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Key Responsibilities
Project Sourcing & Land Acquisition
• Support the Land Acquisition team in identifying and securing suitable sites.
• Manage land agents and advise on strategic development.
• Negotiate Land Heads of Terms (HoTs) for lease agreements.
Project Development & Management
• Oversee all aspects of project development from securing Land HoTs and IPU Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) HoTs to achieving a shovel-ready status.
• Coordinate the full development process, ensuring alignment between land, technical, planning, and commercial workstreams.
• Manage supply chains, including Technical Advisors and District Network Operators (DNOs), ensuring project design meets client objectives with robust cost and schedule inputs.
• Progress grid connection applications and liaise with DNOs.
• Oversee planning applications and consent processes, supported by the in-house Planning Development Manager.
• Manage Land Option to Lease agreements, ensuring alignment with planning and technical requirements, working alongside legal advisors.
• Support project financing efforts and investment decision-making.
Process Development & Strategy
• Assist in refining internal processes, documentation, and reporting structures for project development.
• Contribute to shaping strategy for delivering projects at a shovel-ready stage.
Required Experience (in order of importance)
• Proven experience delivering large-scale renewable projects behind the meter for industrial offtakers (e.g. rooftop PV developers, onsite wind).
• Strong technical expertise in behind-the-meter renewable projects, including:
o Client requirements gathering
o DNO engagement & grid connection applications
o Design optimisation and cost estimation
o Integration of environmental constraints into technical design
• Track record of securing land option-to-lease contracts.
• Experience running private wire cables along public highways and/or private land.
• Familiarity with project development processes, documentation, and compliance requirements.
Ideal Candidate Profile
• Self-sufficient and capable of leading project development autonomously.
• Experience leading, or readiness to lead, a small development team.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, excited by the opportunity to shape a growing business.
• Motivated by ambitious growth plans, with significant equity and commission incentives.
• Desire to take ownership of project development processes and make a lasting impact.
If you are interested in this fantastic opportunity, please send your CV through to Rob Byrom.
