Senior Development Manager

Talesca; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Talesca is seeking a Senior Development Manager to advance renewable energy development opportunities across solar, storage, and related infrastructure. The role involves navigating environmental, land, network constraints and collaborating with consultants and internal technical teams.

Key responsibilities include managing approvals, engaging stakeholders, and coordinating with grid operators to optimize project outcomes. Regular travel across Australia is expected.

Qualifications

• Experience in project management and approvals processes.
• Knowledge of the Australian Energy Market.
• Financial modelling and valuation skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Manage environmental planning approvals with internal staff and external consultants.
• Develop community and stakeholder relationships.
• Oversee grid connection studies with external grid consultants.
• Coordinate with NSPs, AEMO, and technical advisors to deliver outcomes.
• Oversee design scope for solar or storage projects.

Skills

Project management

Australian Energy Market

Financial modelling

Team collaboration

Communication

Reporting

Organisation

Unsupervised work

Resource mapping

Education

Bachelor of Renewable Energy related field

Bachelor of Commerce/Science/Law/Engineering

Job description

The Senior Development Manager role is to advance renewable energy development opportunities, including overlaying knowledge of commercial, network, land and environmental constraints and resource characteristics, working with consultants and internal technical/specialist team members where appropriate.

Education Requirements

Bachelor of Commerce, Science, Law, Engineering (Renewable Energy, Solar, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical)

Knowledge Requirements (Technical Competencies)

• Knowledge of project management, the Australian Energy Market, construction, financial markets, and government regulatory approval.
• Financial literacy (cash flow modelling, present value, project equity returns); understand the use and importance of financial models and inputs.
• Ability to work and fit in with a team environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer and reporting skills.
• Good organisation skills.
• Ability to work unsupervised.
• Mapping and resource modelling.

Preferred Work Experience

8+ years' work experience developing greenfield electricity generation, battery, hydrogen, mining or infrastructure projects.

Working Conditions

Office-based with regular travel throughout Australia.

Position Specifications

Key Accountabilities

• Manage the environmental planning approvals process in consultation with internal staff and external planning consultants to optimize project outcomes within existing planning guidelines.
• Developing exceptional community and stakeholder relationships.
• Manage the connection approvals process in consultation with staff and external grid consultants to optimize project outcomes within existing connection guidelines.
• Build and manage relationships with NSPs and AEMO, external consultants, technical advisors to deliver grid connection outcomes.
• Working with internal and external technical resources, oversee conceptual and preliminary design scope for solar or storage projects.

Project Feasibility Analysis

• Site origination.
• Identify development opportunities within the market.
• Identify potential development sites and overlay knowledge of network, land and environmental constraints and resource characteristics.
• Conduct project feasibility studies, including resource analysis, Aboriginal heritage studies, flora and fauna surveys, and noise analysis.

Establish Project Plan and Tender Process

• Initiate new projects and progress the development portfolio through a structured project plan.
• Initiate and manage environmental assessments.
• Procure, select, negotiate and implement supply or service agreements.
• In conjunction with the Technical/Design team manage procurement, grid connection studies, balance of plant requirements, environmental assessment, and planning approval.

Consult with Major Stakeholders

• Meet with planning and regulatory bodies to obtain and maintain support for projects.
• Communicate regularly with stakeholders, including landowners, community and media, to obtain and maintain the social licence to operate.
• Consult, assist and inform key internal stakeholders including Development, Project Finance, Finance, Legal, Asset Management, O&M, and EPC to ensure that project priorities are achieved and deadlines are met.
• Keep abreast of renewable energy policy developments, consultations, and regulations.

Manage Project Planning

• Ensure a smooth transition of development projects for construction and commercial operation.
• Project manage along with the EPC team in meeting all the DA/planning conditions to achieve the Construction Certificate, including community and cultural heritage engagements.
• In conjunction with the development financial analysis team maintain and update financial models for development projects.
• Ensure all commercial, regulatory and contractual obligations are met (including, but not limited to, Health, Safety & Environment; landowner agreements; power purchase agreements; planning consents; and insurance), and that milestones within major agreements are achieved throughout the development phase.
• Assist the Head of Project Development Australia / Development Team in the negotiations of agreements and resolution of contractual disputes during the project development phase (e.g. equipment warranties, landowner agreements, solar/wind forecasting, connection agreements, environmental and regulatory licensing arrangements).
• Assist the EPC team with negotiations on engineering, procurement and construction contracts.
• Assist with the registration process.
• Assist with Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and the Project Finance team with project financing of projects.
• Define the project delivery plan, schedule, work breakdown structure tasks and resource requirements against project timeline.
• Provide regular progress reports against project plans, reporting to project stakeholders and management.
• Identify, document and mitigate risks.
• Manage and implement program/project significant scope change requests.
• Contribute relevant information to post-implementation evaluation and assessment of results against project plans.
• Maintain and apply knowledge of current and proposed renewable energy policy and regulatory frameworks at Federal, State and Local Government levels.