South West – Hybrid working
This company is powering the path to ‘net zero’. They do this by developing large scale renewable energy projects. Their founders have been dedicated to delivering new, clean energy generation for over 16 years, collaborating successfully to deliver dozens of projects in the UK and internationally, with an output totalling over 600MW.
They have been actively developing a high value pipeline of large scale solar since its inception in 2018 and has already consented over 170MW of new projects. They have a further pipeline of more than 400MW secured and we are looking to grow our team with highly motivated, experienced, and capable people to help grow and successfully deliver our pipeline.
They are a well-funded, expert team, able to move fast and make decisions quickly, driving diverse projects forward and tackling challenges head on.
The Opportunity
To work within and help grow, an agile, dynamic and highly expert UK renewables development business, getting actively involved in the development of a significant portfolio of projects at various project stages. Helping to create valuable clean energy assets improving UK energy security and pioneering the journey to net-zero. The right candidate will get to play to their strengths and develop their skills and understanding of renewable energy systems and property agreements and land rights.
The Role
The successful candidate will take the lead on securing property agreements to ensure this client has the rights over the land we need to construct and operate the projects we design and on which we secure planning permission.
The Land Acquisition Manager will lead and project manage all land and property workstreams of our developments from origination, negotiation, contracting and to project completion.
You will hold the relationships with primary and 3rd party landowners, maintaining communications with those landowners at each step of the development process, maintaining excellent relationships with all landowners and stakeholders.
You will also work closely with the wider team to identify and secure new development opportunities by reaching out to target landowners and reviewing and analysing incoming leads.
You will work closely with external solicitors and manage the contracting process for securing the necessary land rights and report regularly to senior management on progress and project risks.
You will develop knowledge of the landowners and their sites, which will inform project designs, planning proposals and community and stakeholder engagement.
The role will be home/ remote based with travel around the UK including Scotland and Wales.
Core Responsibilities
- Managing and securing land agreements including grid Letters of Authority and Heads of Terms through to Option and Lease for both ‘main site’ landowners and 3rd parties i.e. cable routes, access and other easements or consents
- Day to day management of relationships with landowners, land agents, and real estate solicitors including site meetings throughout the project lifecycle
- Assess and document potential sites from desktop reviews and site visits, feeding back to project team and engaging landowners and securing their commitment to the project
- Undertake initial title due diligence by reviewing land registry information and liaising with landowners and their agents
- Capture key site information using digital mapping applications (incl. Google Earth) to create a visual record of projects including ownership, development boundaries, cable routes, constraints, risks and opportunities
- Report to and collaborate with the development team to contribute to high performance and successful development projects and minimise risk exposure
Key Skills and Experience
- Full UK Driving License (essential)
- Experience and knowledge of Solar, Battery Storage and other renewable led technology
- Renewable energy development experience, site identification/feasibility and or land development Knowledge of land rights, land agreements and key components of site evaluation
- Proficient in contracts, and managing solicitors and landowners through the contracting process
- Degree in Land/ Estate Management or similar
- An excellent and willing communicator – enjoys picking up the phone as well as dealing with people face to face
- Self-starting, organised and able to manage your own time and priorities
- Fluent in use of software such as MS Office (particularly Word and Excel, Google Earth, and project collaboration tools)
Benefits Salary Range: Will be competitive and dependent on experience plus performance based bonus scheme Work Location: Home/remote working with extensive UK travel with regular visits to company office Car allowance and expenses