Senior Development Manager - Wind

Phillip Riley; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Phillip Riley is representing a global renewable energy developer in Melbourne, seeking a Senior Project Development Manager to lead a significant wind farm project through planning, grid connection, and toward final investment decision. The role offers hybrid Melbourne-based working with regular site travel and broad exposure to senior leadership.

You will drive DA assessments, owner-engagement, and cross-functional collaboration to advance development milestones and investment readiness.

Qualifications

• Around six or more years of relevant development experience, including solid experience in Australian wind projects and the capability to lead a complex project.
• Experience successfully securing a DA would be highly regarded, and grid connection experience would be an advantage.
• Sound commercial awareness with strong stakeholder management skills and a clear pathway to investment readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead the project through the DA assessment, coordinating consultants and technical studies.
• Manage relationships with landowners, communities, councils and government agencies.
• Drive grid connection activities with internal and external stakeholders including AEMO.
• Manage budgets, schedules and risks to maintain a clear pathway to investment readiness.
• Collaborate with commercial, technical and finance colleagues to progress towards FID.
• Mentor junior colleagues and contribute to the wider development team.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Wind energy development

DA approvals

Grid connection

Budgeting & scheduling

Job description

Senior Project Development Manager – Wind

Melbourne | Hybrid working | Package to match experience

Phillip Riley is working exclusively with a global renewable energy developer and independent power producer to appoint a Senior Project Development Manager to its Australian team.

With committed long-term investors and a proven track record of taking projects into construction and operation, this business combines financial backing with an entrepreneurial approach. Its lean Australian team gives experienced developers room to make decisions, work closely with senior leadership and see the impact of their work.

The opportunity

You’ll take ownership of a significant wind farm project with its development application already submitted. From there, you’ll lead the project through planning approval, progress grid connection and work towards final investment decision.

This is an opportunity to build on your wind development experience and lead the next stage of a project, supported by an experienced team with a track record of getting projects built.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the project through the DA assessment process, coordinating consultants, technical studies and responses to approval requirements.
• Managing relationships with landowners, communities, councils and government agencies.
• Driving grid connection activities alongside internal specialists, network service providers and AEMO.
• Managing project budgets, schedules and risks, maintaining a clear pathway towards investment readiness.
• Working with commercial, technical and finance colleagues to progress the project towards FID.
• Contributing to the wider development team and mentoring junior colleagues.

What you’ll bring

You’ll have around six or more years of relevant development experience, including solid experience in Australian wind projects and the capability to lead a complex project.

Experience successfully securing a DA would be highly regarded, and grid connection experience would be an advantage.

We recognise that long development timelines mean strong developers don’t always get to see every milestone through. Your contribution to projects, judgement and ability to take ownership will matter.

You don’t need to have personally taken a project to FID, but you’ll need sound commercial awareness, strong stakeholder management skills and an understanding of what is required to get there.

Why consider it?

You’ll join a business with the backing to invest for the long term, a growing Australian portfolio and direct access to experienced decision-makers.

The role offers meaningful project responsibility and the opportunity to broaden your experience through the later stages of development.

The position is based in Melbourne with hybrid working and regular travel to project sites.

The client has flexibility on the salary package to attract the right person.

For a confidential conversation about the business, project and opportunity, contact Anna Spain at Phillip Riley or apply with your CV.

Additional information

• Own a significant wind project
• Melbourne-based opportunity with hybrid office hours
• Competitive salary package tailored to your experience