Project Finance Manager

Simply Blue Energy; West of England; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Simply Blue Energy is seeking a Project Finance Manager to lead the bankability and financing workstream for Erebus, a major offshore wind project. The role requires coordinating with sponsors, lenders and advisers to deliver a bankable structure toward Financial Close and beyond.

You will own the financial model, conduct stress tests, and oversee documentation and lender negotiations, ensuring robust financing for the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience leading project finance workstreams to Financial Close on at least 2 offshore wind or major renewables projects.
• Strong knowledge of debt/equity structuring, security packages and lender due diligence.
• Experience coordinating Financial Advisers and multi-party due diligence processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the project finance workstream for Erebus and deliver a bankable financing structure to Financial Close.
• Coordinate across sponsors, lenders, advisers and internal project teams to align financing strategy.
• Own the financial model, stress tests and debt/equity scenarios for the project.
• Negotiate financing documentation with legal counsel and manage lender relationships.
• Report financing status to project leadership and sponsors; oversee refinancing when required.

Skills

Project finance leadership

Financial close management

Offshore wind experience

Education

Finance/Economics/Business/Engineering degree

Job description

Job Title: Project Finance Manager

Reporting to: Commercial and Procurement Director

Location: This position will be based in the Project Office in Bristol for a minimum of three (3) days per week, with travel to lender, sponsor and adviser locations as required

About Simply Blue Energy:

Founded in 2011 under the brand Simply Blue Group in, Simply Blue Energy (SBE) was formally established in 2025 to recognise Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.’s (“KEPCO”) Share Subscription Agreement with Simply Blue Energy (OSW) Ltd, the offshore wind division of Simply Blue Group.

Simply Blue Energy is an ambitious, values-driven company at the forefront of the global blue economy and is actively developing a significant offshore wind portfolio comprising of 8 GW of floating offshore wind and 4 GW of fixed-bottom wind projects across multiple markets.

Our offshore wind portfolio includes Erebus, a 100MW test and demonstration project, which was awarded a Contract for Difference (CfD) in 2026, and the Salamander project in Scotland. The portfolio also comprises Emerald, Western Star and Aird Mhòr na Mara in Ireland, as well as projects in Spain and Portugal developed under the IberBlue Wind platform.

Headquartered in Cork, Ireland, Simply Blue Energy combines deep technical expertise, innovation and strong stakeholder engagement to advance the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. With dedicated teams operating from offices in Dublin, Belfast, Newquay, Pembrokeshire, Edinburgh, Bilbao, and Nova Scotia, Simply Blue Energy is strategically positioned to deliver large-scale renewable energy projects.

To find out more about us, please visit www.simplyblueenergy.com

Background:

Erebus is a world leading 100 MW test and demonstration floating offshore wind project located off the coast of Pembroke and is being developed by Simply Blue Energy’s Blue Gem Wind project company. Erebus was awarded a CfD in Allocation Round 7 and as a fully consented project now enters late-stage development, targeting a COD in 2030. The project is progressing through project finance structuring towards Financial Close.

Purpose of the role:

The position, which sits at the intersection between project finance, bankability and financial risk, is required to lead the project finance workstream for Erebus and to deliver a bankable financing structure as part of bringing the project to Financial Close. The successful candidate will be employed by Simply Blue Energy and will work, full time, on the Erebus project. They will work closely with the Commercial and Procurement Director, project leadership, financial and tax advisers, legal counsel and the project’s sponsors. The position, which sits at the intersection between project finance, bankability and financial risk, will lead the project finance workstream and be responsible for delivering a bankable financing structure to Financial Close and beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

Bankability and Financial Close

• Responsible for the project finance strategy and financial structuring workstream for Erebus, coordinating across sponsors, lenders, advisers and internal project teams
• Leads the bankability assessment of the project structure, identifying and resolving issues across the financial model, contracting strategy, security package and risk allocation that could impede lender or ECA (Export Credit Agency) support
• Supports FID (Final Investment Decision) and Financial Close with robust financing, cost and risk inputs, working closely with the Commercial and Procurement Director
• Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Financial Adviser, ensuring workstreams are sequenced to take into account of the critical path to Financial Close
• Evaluates and compares financing structures, including ECA-backed debt, commercial bank debt and bond

financing, recommending the optimal mix for the Erebus project

• Oversees the project financial model and sensitivity analysis, working with the Business Case Manager, Cost Control Manager and Financial Adviser to stress-test the capital structure under different market, FX and inflation scenarios
• Supports negotiation of financing documentation including term sheets, Common Terms Agreements, facility agreements and security documents, in coordination with the project’s legal counsel
• Coordinates due diligence workstreams with lenders’ technical, legal, insurance and financial advisers, ensuring information requests are managed efficiently, effectively and consistently
• Manages post-financing performance including reporting to the project’s board, sponsors and lenders
• Monitors financing requirements post-financial close including reserve accounts
• Leads re-financing processes post-construction, where required

ECA and Lender Relationships

• Builds and manages relationships with ECAs and commercial/institutional lenders relevant to the Erebus financing package
• Applies knowledge of Japanese ECAs (such as JBIC and NEXI) and Japanese commercial banks to assess their fit within the Erebus financing structure given Simply Blue Energy’s relationship with KEPCO
• Supports interaction with additional potential investors in Erebus and related opportunities, working with the Business Development Director and senior leadership on outreach and structuring considerations

Governance and Reporting

• Maintains the project risk register for the financing workstream, in line with the wider Erebus commercial and procurement risk register
• Provides regular financing status reporting to the Commercial and Procurement Director, Erebus project leadership and sponsor representatives
• Tracks and reports on the Financial Close critical path and decision calendar, flagging risks and dependencies that affect financing milestones
• Ensures financing workstreams comply with sponsor governance and approval requirements
• Ensure all work is carried out with due regard to HSE risk management and stakeholder considerations, consistent with wider project standards

Experience and Qualifications:

Essential

• Demonstrable experience leading project finance workstreams to Financial Close on at least 2 recent projects, in offshore wind, or other large-scale renewables infrastructure projects
• Experience in offshore wind project development
• Strong working knowledge of project finance structures, including debt/equity structuring, security packages and lender due diligence processes
• Experience managing Financial Advisers and coordinating multi-party due diligence processes (technical, legal, insurance, financial)
• Strong financial modelling literacy, able to engage critically with project financial models and sensitivity/scenario analysis
• Relevant degree in finance, economics, business or engineering

Desirable

• Knowledge of ECA financing structures and processes
• ECA and Japanese Market Insight – working knowledge of ECA-backed financing, particularly Japanese ECAs and banks, and the ability to support engagement with Japanese sponsors
• Professional qualification such as CFA, ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent
• Experience working within a joint venture or multi-sponsor project structure

Key Competencies

• Strategic Financial Structuring – ability to structure complex financing models, assess bankability and align debt/equity strategy with project risk and delivery schedule
• Project Finance and Lender Management - expertise leading due diligence, negotiating financing documentation, and managing Financial Adviser and lender relationships to and through Financial Close
• Financial & Risk Management Expertise – strong capability in financial modelling, forecasting, and quantifying/managing financing risks across billion euro-scale projects
• Stakeholder Management – proven ability to engage well with internal and external stakeholders, including sponsors, lenders, advisers and senior leadership

Note: This is a general job description only. This role will be subject to ongoing review and development as part of our Performance Appraisal Process. This job description is not exhaustive, and other responsibilities may be required in line with the role.

At Simply Blue Energy, we know we are only as good as our people. We value diversity and are proud of our inclusive culture, making Simply Blue Energy a great place to work and where our people feel valued, have their voices heard and can be true to their authentic selves. Diversity is one of our core values, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and more effective in our mission of working with the oceans to fight climate change.

We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from all individuals regardless of gender, age, sexuality, class, religion, politics, or ethnicity. We are especially keen to receive applications from groups that are currently underrepresented in our industry such as those who identify as women, people living with a disability or who are from a Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic background.