Senior Development Manager

Lightsourcelabs; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Retention bonus

Health insurance

Pension

Job summary

Lightsource bp is hiring to lead UK & Ireland development operations, managing a pipeline from early stage to financial close. You’ll ensure projects are bankable, drive efficiency, and improve processes for competitive advantage.

You’ll oversee cross‑functional workstreams, negotiate terms, model finances, and present budgets to executives while representing the company at events and with key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Broad knowledge of the full solar development life cycle.
• Understanding land rights agreements and leases.
• Knowledge of UK DNO processes and grid considerations.
• Experience with project finance and financial modelling.
• Proficient written and spoken English; renewables exposure helpful.

Responsibilities

• Drive development and close transactions with cross‑functional teams.
• Coordinate stakeholders: planning, PPA, technical, legal, procurement, grid.
• Manage and improve processes to raise efficiency and competitiveness.
• Run financial models and negotiate terms to meet margins.
• Forecast project cash flows and produce budget‑level updates.
• Lead internal and external meetings; communicate clearly at all levels.
• Represent Lightsource bp at events and relate company strategy.

Skills

Solar development

Option to Lease / land rights

UK DNO grid relationships

Project finance

Financial modelling

English communication

Renewables knowledge

Education

Related discipline degree desirable

Job description

We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development.

For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise.

Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long‑term sustainable growth and energy security.

Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024.

What you’ll do (the role)

Summary

In this role,you’llbring the necessaryexpertiseand relevant industry contacts to contribute to the rapidgrowthof our UKand IrelandDevelopment operations.

Youwillautonomously manage a pipeline of projects from an early stage through to financial close, ensuring they are bankable and ready for investment inline with business targets. Alongside project development,you’llmanage,createandupdateprocessesthatbenefitthe team andbusiness, taking initiative to improve Lightsource bp’s efficiency,productivityand competitive edge

Core Responsibilities

• Drive development and close transactions in a well-forecasted,timelymanner that exceedsLightsourcebp’s margin requirements by coordinating different workstreams and internal departmental resource: planning, PPA, technical, commercial engineering, procurement, legal, grid, anddelivery
• Bridge the relationship with all relevant stakeholders including DNO, landowners, TA, EPC and ICP and internalresourceto ensure competent negotiations on land rights, deeds, permits, DNO offers, planning, construction contracts and PPA whererequired.
• Oversee projects effectively – leading meetings andcommunications anddirecting stakeholders to ensure maximum efficiency. Thisrequiresa high levelofaction-orientated, clear communicationat all times,including weekly and monthly meetings/reporting to peers, projectteamandExecutives
• Run financial models and use price indicators to negotiate commercial terms which meet Lightsource bp’s margin requirements.
• Regularly update and provide clear forecasting of project cashflows in line with budget forecasts.
• Liaise with all relevant stakeholders to obtain the informationrequiredto independently writeand present formal budget requests to Executive Management Committee and Investment Committee.
• Understand and negotiate solutions to property reports involving legal team where necessary.
• Understand and negotiate commercial issues in ICP and EPC contracts supporting the delivery and construction team where necessary.
• Represent Lightsourcebpat community and company events, conveying our business and development acumen in a professional manner while enforcing company strategies.
• Provide proficient line management to up to1-2staff membersasrequired,including regular 1-2-1’s, appraisals and setting personal developmentgoals

Who we’re looking for

Knowledge

• Strong breadth of knowledge across full solar development life cycle
• Knowledge of Option to Lease/ land rights agreements is essential
• Understanding of grid & knowledge/relationships with UK DNOs is essential
• Understanding of project finance and financial modelling terms
• Strong written and verbal English language
• Understanding of renewables industry, energy and environmental issues in UK and EU
• Reasonable understanding of Private Wire and Corporate PPAs

Qualifications

• Degree in related discipline desirable

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Solar and BESS development
• Strong track record of closing deals and contracts
• Developing and managing work-related projects, deadlines and resources across cross-functional teams is a must
• Experience in M&A is beneficial

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

• Team player with ability to forge long term professional relationships with third parties
• Ability to work autonomously and take initiative to independently problem solve
• Highly adaptable withabilityto learn quickly and work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to take the lead in situations that require a strong voice to close issues
• Excellent negotiator andcommunicator

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible.

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Beyond your day‑to‑day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. These include our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project, or volunteering on our VIBES committee to name a few.

Our core values

Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.

At Lightsource bp, you’ll work within agile, cross‑functional teams where diverse perspectives come together. Our culture embraces open knowledge sharing and collaboration, empowering you to learn from others and accelerate progress collectively.

Your career growth is our priority and a shared journey. We are committed to developing talent from within and prepare you for career advancement so you can shape a fulfilling and lasting journey here.

In today’s fast‑changing world, a learning mindset is essential and therefore we proactively support upskilling to help you push your skill boundaries and stay ahead in your field, so you can not only keep pace with change but confidently shape a brighter future.