Junior Development Manager
Melbourne, with some regional and interstate travel requirements.
About Us
Our client is a leading developer of utility-scale renewable energy projects, specialising in solar PV and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Backed by the strength of our global headquarters and a high-performing local team, we are rapidly expanding our project pipeline across Australia. Our client is committed to driving the energy transition through sustainable, innovative, and commercially viable solutions.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Junior Development Manager to join our Melbourne-based team. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional with 2–3 years of experience in renewable energy development and at least one year of hands-on project involvement. The role focuses on supporting the development of large-scale solar and BESS projects, offering a strong foundation for career growth in a fast-paced and evolving industry.
Key Responsibilities:
* Project Development Support
* Assist in the development of utility-scale solar and BESS projects across Australia.
* Support project lifecycle management from feasibility through to construction handover.
* Coordinate with internal teams (engineering, finance, legal, planning, grid, community, environment) and external consultants.
* Monitor and assist in managing project budgets, timelines, risks, and reporting.
* Support the preparation of internal project approval processes.
* Site Origination and Strategic Planning
* Assist in identifying new project opportunities and conducting feasibility assessments (environmental and planning constraints, grid capacity, land access).
* Contribute to strategic planning and risk assessment discussions.
* Stakeholder Engagement and Approvals
* Support relationship building with landowners, community members, regulators, and councils.
* Attend community information sessions and council meetings as required.
* Assist in the planning and development approval processes, including environmental referrals and planning applications.
* Land Acquisition and Negotiation
* Assist in land access and tenure agreements under the guidance of senior team members.
* Support in managing landowner relationships from initial contact to contract execution.
About You
* 2–3 years of experience in renewable energy development, with a focus on large-scale solar and/or battery energy storage systems (BESS).
* Tertiary qualifications in engineering, environmental science, urban planning, or a related discipline.
* Foundational experience in development approvals and stakeholder engagement processes.
* Understanding of local community dynamics, with the ability to support landowner discussions and regulatory negotiations.
* Proficiency in mapping tools such as REMap, QGIS, and Nearmap for site identification and analysis.
* Competence using planning portals to assess environmental overlays (e.g., flood risk, vegetation, heritage constraints) during early-stage project assessments.
* Familiarity with the National Electricity Market (NEM), grid connection processes, and the National Electricity Rules (NER) is advantageous.
* Strong team collaboration skills, with the ability to contribute effectively to cross-functional project workstreams.