About Downing

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 in to the people we hire. 

Downing Renewable Developments

Downing Renewable Developments (DRD) is a 22-strong renewable development and delivery business, 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, they will then be delivered using our in-house team and then operated long term.

Our initial activities were focussed on the UK, where we have a c.6GW pipeline of opportunities in the solar, wind and battery sectors.  Following this we established Swedish and Finnish development teams to undertake project development activities in the Nordic region.

Role and responsibilities

The role is to join our growing team in Glasgow to lead in securing the necessary land agreements to support the development and delivery of high-quality renewable energy projects (predominantly wind, solar and storage).

In particular, the role-holder will be expected to lead activities such as identifying and engaging with potential landowners, undertaking initial feasibility assessments, negotiating Heads of Terms and then leading preparation and registration of land agreements including leases, options, wayleaves and letters of authority including instructing and managing the necessary legal support. Additionally, the role-holder will be required to mentor and manage more junior team members.

Key responsibilities will be leading the internal land function, team management, reporting, managing networks of land agents and legal support and engaging with other disciplines such as planning and engineering teams. 

The role-holder is anticipated to have a wide contact network, a real desire to succeed and be able to work autonomously and propose innovative solutions to problems.

Key skills and experience

• Land / Legal / Planning Qualification (degree level as a minimum).
• Minimum of 5-years experience within the renewable energy industry on Project Management, particularly working on solar PV, battery storage and onshore wind projects
• RICS qualification
• Experience of undertaking land assembly and responsibility for land budgets
• Experience of managing agents and legal support to prepare and conclude land agreements
• An understanding of planning and consenting processes.
• Experience of contract preparation and managing and negotiating tender processes (including consultancy services).
• Experience of managing project stakeholders including regulators, statutory consultees and local communities.
• Experience of managing project teams and budgets
• An ability to translate technical detail into commercial impact.
• An ability to manage several project tasks at once and be able to plan and prioritise project workload.

Personal profile

• Passionate about what you do - you are always happy to roll up your sleeves. 
• Team player – have fun! We do our best to cultivate an open, honest, hard-working but fun culture at Downing. 
• Customer oriented - you are approachable, friendly and professional whilst working diligently. Nothing is too much trouble. 
• Assertive and focus on execution – you make things happen. 
• Eloquent – you can explain complex things in simple, relevant terms, and in good English. 

Pay and benefits

For the successful candidate, we will put together an attractive reward package that will include: 

• Competitive starting salary 
• Discretionary bonus and other success based financial incentives
• Pension scheme 
• Health insurance 
• Life assurance 
• Income protection 
• Death in service insurance 
• Additional social perks 

Additional details

To understand what information we collect about you, how we will use it and for what purpose, please read our privacy notice.

Downing is passionate about creating an inclusive culture that supports and celebrates diversity. This drives our ambition and brings us closer to our investment community.

We appreciate all interest in Downing and applications received, however please note we will only be able to contact the most suitable applicants.