Project Development Manager

The Development Manager will be responsible for the development of RWE’s Renewable Energy projects in Australia.  This role will be focused on onshore wind projects ensuring that projects progress from conception to final investment decision. The Development Manager will also be involved in strategic development, by providing commercial and planning advice to guide the projects from feasibility through to the construction and operational phases.

Key Responsibilities 

Project Management and Coordination

• Responsible for the overall delivery of wind projects through to construction phase.
• Coordination of internal global Engineering & Construction, Environment & Planning, Finance, Legal, HSE (Health Safety and Environmental) and Community Relations team.
• Management of external consultants to facilitate Project Development
• Management of projects to budget and agreed timelines.
• Responsible for stakeholder and community relations to ensure the successful delivery of Project Development.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders across procurement, budgeting, project tracking and investment approvals processes.

Development Strategy and Assessment

• Work with the Origination Lead on desktop and field-based investigations into development constraints on short listed prospect sites and projects in feasibility stage.
• Provision of accurate and timely strategic assessment of development issues (across all development aspects: land, permitting, grid connection, procurement, resource assessment), risk and opportunity.
• Management of development issues as they emerge within projects with the appropriate stakeholders.
• Development and maintenance of relationships with stakeholders including local, state and federal Government staff (including AEMO (Australian Energy Market Operator) and respective NSPs (Network Service Providers)) and local community representatives.
• Preparation of project reports on progress, budget, schedule, issues, risk and opportunity.
• Attendance at community events and discussion of key development considerations. 
• Liaison with landowners and neighbours regarding key development matters.
• Monitoring of development legislation and regulations.

Landholder liaison and negotiations

• Responsible for developing and maintaining trusting and productive project landowner. relationships from initiation through to construction handover.
• With assistance from legal counsel, negotiate tenure documents to secure all land required for the project.
• Manage/implement tenure agreement process.

Commercial Development

• Assess the technical and commercial viability of projects and identify acquisition opportunities.
• Coordinate the development of project reports and investment cases.

Experience and Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in the renewables energy sector (pre-construction phase) preferably in wind development (solar experience beneficial).
• Tertiary qualifications in engineering, town and regional planning, environmental planning is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and development application processes.
• Strong experience in a project management position within the renewable energy industry.
• Development experience in the renewable energy sector.
• Understanding of the Grid and NER (National Electricity Rules) requirements to ensure successful development of renewable energy projects.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team.
• Skills and experience in negotiation and an ability to influence outcomes and decisions.
• Ability to operate at a detailed level, to organize and multi-task, with a dedication to seeing projects through to completion.
• Understanding of local community dynamics, with the ability to negotiate effectively with landowners, regulators, utilities, and other stakeholders.
• Acting comfortably in cross-cultural teams, collaborating across country boundaries with a sense for diversity and inclusion.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.

Travel

• This position can be based in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne  (flexibility with location), with regional and interstate travel requirements.