Senior Development Manager

Elgin Values

Core behavioural responsibilities for all employees

Job Description

As Senior Development Manager, you will play a key role in driving the development of utility-scale solar PV and BESS projects, taking ownership from early-stage site identification and origination through to consenting, investment readiness and ready-to-build.

You will lead complex projects across land, planning, grid, commercial and technical workstreams, ensuring they remain strategically aligned, commercially viable and on track for delivery. With strong project management at the core of the role, you will oversee budgets, milestones, due diligence, development contracts and key deliverables, working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to progress projects to a high standard.

This is a senior position offering the opportunity to have a real influence on the development portfolio, provide strategic input to the wider business and mentor and support the development team. You will also remain involved as projects transition into construction, providing continuity and senior oversight through to delivery.

What you will do:

Project Development & Delivery

• Take end-to-end ownership of complex, high-value projects through land acquisition, planning, grid connection and ready-to-build milestones.
• Lead negotiations with landowners, agents and legal advisers to secure land rights and commercial agreements on strong commercial terms.
• Direct external consultants across planning, environmental, grid, engineering and legal workstreams to deliver high-quality outputs on time, optimising project value and supporting delivery within approved budgets.
• Lead grid connection strategies and applications, working with network operators to optimise outcomes and mitigate constraints.
• Review and support the negotiation of key project agreements, including heads of terms, grid connection agreements, options, agreements for lease, leases, easements, licences, tenant surrenders, joint venture agreements and other material project contracts.
• Act as a senior point of contact for external stakeholders, including local authorities, statutory consultees, system operators and community stakeholders, delivering effective community engagement to support successful planning outcomes.
• Secure, monitor and maintain required permits and approvals, ensuring environmental and regulatory compliance through development and handover into construction.
• Maintain ownership of project budgets, cash flow forecasts and cost control, providing clear reporting to senior management.
• Identify, manage, and report development risks and opportunities, escalating key issues and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate cross-functional workstreams with Finance, Engineering, Legal, Grid, Commercial and other teams to progress projects efficiently, managing due diligence and reporting.
• Own development assumptions used in financial valuation, working with finance colleagues on financial feasibility, valuation and investment evaluation.
• Identify and assess prospective co-development partners or joint venture opportunities where these support the wider development strategy.

Leadership, Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Provide leadership, mentorship and technical guidance to Development Managers and other colleagues, supporting their professional growth.
• Contribute to the development of best practices, processes, and standards across the development function.
• Support senior management with strategic decision-making, investment committee inputs and project approvals.
• Prepare concise management presentations and status reports covering project progress, risks, issues, milestones and decision requirements for senior leadership.
• Maintain a strong understanding of renewable energy policy, planning frameworks, grid reform and market developments, advising the business on impacts and opportunities.
• Represent Elgin at industry events, conferences and external forums as a senior ambassador for the business.
• Promote and exemplify Elgin’s corporate values, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performance culture.

• Co-ordinate the development team to identify, assess and prioritise new solar PV and BESS opportunities using GIS mapping, feasibility studies, energy yield assessments and financial modelling.
• Engage with owners of prospective development locations and negotiate exclusivity arrangements to secure suitable solar PV and/or BESS opportunities.
• Prepare and maintain clear development plans for assigned projects, covering milestones, schedules, deliverables and key decision points.
• Build effective relationships with land agents and industry bodies to identify and unlock development opportunities.
• Support the creation and refinement of the company’s development pipeline strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and providing senior input to site origination proposals developed by the team.

Your profile

• Extensive demonstrable experience in project development, planning, engineering, consultancy or a related role within the renewable energy or power sector.
• Proven track record of leading utility-scale solar and/or BESS projects through planning and grid connection to ready-to-build stage.
• Deep understanding of the greenfield development/large scale renewable project development process for utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS projects, including land, planning, grid, environmental, commercial and stakeholder requirements, due diligence, financing and handover into construction.
• Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, or a related discipline (Master’s degree desirable).
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in budgets, financial modelling and contract negotiation.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring capability, with experience guiding junior team members.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and organisational skills.
• Ability to work strategically while maintaining hands-on oversight of project delivery.
• A proactive, adaptable and collaborative approach, with the confidence to operate at senior and executive level.