Grid Connections Manager

Job Description

About Enso Energy

Tomorrow runs on renewables - We are renewable energy developers: working together with landowners and local communities to increase the amount of clean energy generated in the UK.

We have an exciting opportunity to join one of the leading developers of renewables in the UK. Enso Energy may not be a household name, but together with our Joint Venture Partner in the UK, Cero Generation, we have one of the largest portfolios of renewable connections in the UK with a significant 9GW development pipeline of projects, and an impressive track record of delivering.

Enso Energy was the first to connect a large scale 50MW Solar Farm direct to the National Grid Transmission network in 2023 and then the first to deliver the co-location of Battery Storage at the same site in 2024. Enso Energy also recently announced that another four of our Solar PV projects, totalling 164MWac, have been awarded Contracts For Difference (CFDs) by NESO, securing the future of these projects. These achievements mark significant milestones in our efforts to accelerate the UK’s transition to renewable energy.

The momentum behind renewable energy development in the UK is stronger than ever, and we are incredibly proud of our teams’ dedication as we work toward supporting the UK Government’s aim of Clean Power 2030.

About The Role

To help deliver our portfolio, Enso Energy is seeking additional Development Managers / Senior Development Managers to join our Grid Connections Team. This is the team that manages the development and design of the connection between the generation and battery storage sites to the National Grid Substation point of connection.

The current portfolio of connections has a steeply rising workload profile in the coming years as each project approaches its connections dates. The Enso Energy Grid Connections Team is expanding and restructuring to manage this workload to ensure they are effectively managing and delivering to the milestones.

It’s a collaborative effort, and you will be working closely with colleagues with expertise in Land, Planning and Project Management, as well as external specialists as part of an Enso Project Team.

The Grid connections process is key to delivering the capacity needed for an efficient and renewable transmission network and we need to develop and deliver an increasing number of highly complex and exciting new projects. In this role you would play a crucial role in enabling us to do this.

Responsibilities

As a key member of the Grid Connections Team you will have a portfolio of projects with:

• Overall responsibility for the development and delivery of allocated Grid Connection projects from inception through to handover
• Responsibility for taking forward allocated lead areas to improve the grid connections processes, efficiencies or resolve common project blocking issues e.g. third party works.
• Full ownership of Grid Works design development for allocated projects
• Project management responsibility – supporting the overall Project PM in maintaining project governance, programme and risk logs etc.
• Project planning and delivery to key milestones, with ownership of risk mitigating actions
• Carry out site optioneering in conjunction with National Grid connections engineers and or Distributed Network Operators DNO’s.
• Carry out optioneering with Land and Planning teams to ensure the land options and cable routes are feasible and meet the needs of the connection.
• Cost estimation for allocated grid connections using our cost estimation tools
• Reporting on design and risk issues impacting Appendix J and Queue Management milestones and project delivery programme.

Location

Our offices are in Cirencester and depending on your circumstances the role can by hybrid working or home based. However, in both cases, travel around England and Wales will be required you’ll be provided with a company EV car, this will be subject to BIK Tax as it is for both personal and business use. This means you will need to have a valid full UK Driving License. Further details of our home working policy can be shared as your application progresses.

About You

You should be someone who has a personal interest and understanding of renewables and climate change and an enthusiasm and passion for working together to make a difference.

Collaboration is key, and we are looking for an individual that can communicate effectively and build trusted relationships at all levels as there will be a significant amount of cross departmental working and working with external stakeholders.

We recognise that experience in this field is difficult to find and so our focus is on looking at the core competencies of:

● Excellent collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills

● Self-motivating and ability to set their own direction and trust their own judgement.

● Willingness to learn and commitment to self-development

● Demonstration of our values – care, collaboration, determination, excellence, integrity, sustainability

● Flexibility to travel will be required within these roles

Whilst a general background/education in engineering or other relevant field will be required, we are looking for Development Managers and Senior Development Managers, and appointments will be made to either position given the level of experience in the following areas:

● Project Management experience in delivering complex energy infrastructure projects.

● Experience in Electricity Transmission/Distribution/Solar/BESS technology

● Understanding and or experience of National Grid / Distribution connections process

● Experience of managing environmental and safety factors associated with project delivery.

What You'll Get

As well as being able to offer very competitive base salaries for the right candidates, we can also offer some great rewards and benefits:

● Annual leave – 25 days, plus your birthday, plus bank holidays. After 2 years’ service, additional 1 days leave on each completed year up to a maximum of 31 days.

● Flexible working options

● Private healthcare – Including family

● Pension scheme – we offer a salary sacrifice scheme where you can choose how much you want to contribute with the company matching contributions up to 5%.

● EV Company car

● Company Bonus Scheme of up to 20% of salary.

● Contribution to Gym membership

● Cycle-to-work scheme

● Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any adjustments that you require.

Further Information

Please see our websites for more information at Enso Energy or our JV partners Cero Generation.

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process.

Applicants should be aware that we are unable to provide sponsorship if you require a visa for our apprenticeship programmes.

Please be aware that it’s your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we are not able to provide advice on this.