Apply by 20/08/2023

About the job

We provide investments that benefit society and the environment, and this role is an enormous opportunity for the right candidate to continue this by building a team and to further expand our renewable energy development business in the Nordic region.

The context

Downing is a sustainable investment manager established in London in 1986. We strive to provide investments that benefit society and the environment, as well as meet our clients’ financial needs.

Downing has been active in the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy generation assets since 2010. Downing Renewable Developments (DRD) is a 16-strong renewable development team in the UK, responsible for identifying suitable renewable energy project opportunities and then undertaking the required grid connection, land agreement and planning processes to obtain successfully developed projects. Following the development phase of the projects, Downing provides the capital to build, own and operate them for the long term.

As a result of the successful establishment of the UK team, we are now recruiting a Head of Development (Nordics) to build and lead our project development activities in the Nordic region.

What we offer

As Head of Developments, we offer an extraordinary opportunity to lead the development and delivery of high-quality renewable energy projects, predominantly wind, solar, storage and hydro, across the Nordic region, and to build the organisation to do it.

You will get to assemble and build your own team, targeting investments initially in Sweden and Finland and expanding over time. We envisage local teams in each country reporting to you. You will have support from the UK development team and the broader energy and infrastructure team, which comprises of 60 professionals, 10 of which are based in Sweden.

Culturally, we are highly professional, highly skilled, and eager to learn. We do not taking ourselves too seriously, trying to have fun whilst working hard in a fast-paced world. We make fast decisions and like to seize opportunities. We like to give responsibility, and to do things smarter in new ways.

The role will be based in Sweden – preferably Stockholm - and you will report to Head of Downing Renewable Developments and Head of Energy and Infrastructure who is based in London.

What you will do

As Head of Developments, you will be accountable for our project development activities in the Nordic region. You will develop a strategy to continue the progress of Downing’s existing development pipeline as well as maintain its growth.

With your wide range of technical capability and experience, your extensive network of consultants, contractors, and relationships with other project developers, you and your team will identify new sites and progress those sites (alongside our existing sites) to a shovel ready stage by securing grid access, land availability, environmental-, building-, and other permits necessary for their construction and operation.

A key element of the role will be to continue to progress Downing’s existing development pipeline in Sweden (predominately batteries), to work with existing developer partnerships (hydro in Norway) and to build out a wider project development pipeline through both organic growth and investment in early-stage pipelines.

Do you fit this description?

We are looking for a strong leader who has a minimum of 10 years’ experience within the renewable energy project development industry, with significant experience from leading a variety of development projects in solar PV, battery storage and onshore wind at various stages in the project lifecycle. You have an excellent understanding of project financial management and project economics.

• You are experienced in identifying and implementing strategy in relation to market entry of new projects and technologies and you have a solid understanding of energy markets and the opportunities presented by new technologies.
• You are experienced in managing project stakeholders including regulators, statutory consultees, and local communities, and you have experience of Nordic project consenting processes including preparation of permitting applications leading to successful consents.
• You are also experienced in contract preparation and managing and negotiating tender processes including consultancy services.
• You have experience in the use of technical software such as AutoCAD, GIS and PVSyst.
• You have good English skills, fluent Swedish and if you also have Finnish that will be helpful.
• You are a results-oriented problem solver who can plan, prioritize, and make things happen.
• You are an experienced, inspiring leader with great communication skills, and you enjoy working as a team.
• You have a strategic mind and have an ability to translate technical detail into commercial impact. You are customer oriented and have strong commercial skills.
  

Application

If this description applies to you and if you think the description of Downing sounds like a place where you can thrive and develop, we look forward to your application.

In this recruitment we work together with Lindkvist & Partners AB, and you are welcome with questions to the responsible recruitment consultant Olle Lindkvist.

We will make ongoing selections, so please send your application as soon as possible, but no later than 230820.

Who we are

Downing is a fast growing, entrepreneurial investment manager based in the City of London. We believe a great investment opportunity isn’t just financial, it’s a chance to invest in things that matter – our environment, our health, our society, our local communities, and our economy. Our ability to adapt and innovate to create investment products for our customers is key to our growth and success and our core values are vital to everything we do – from the businesses we invest into the people we hire.