Project Developer - Private-Wire Solar & Storage

Alight is a leading solar IPP (Independent Power Producer) on a mission to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy system by developing, owning, and operating solar & BESS assets that deliver long-term value for businesses and the planet. As a Project Developer, you will be a part of our behind-the-meter (BtM) team, responsible for a pipeline of onsite solar and BESS projects with commercial and industrial (C&I) customers. You will work closely with landowners, local authorities, DNOs, and corporate offtakers to bring well-structured, bankable projects from early concept to ready-to-build. You will join a cross-functional, highly collaborative team with the opportunity to shape how we develop private-wire projects in the UK market. 
This is a full-time contract for an estimated period of 6-12 months, with the potential for full-time contract at the end of the assignment (if preferred). We’re open to both fixed-term employment and consultants. We have an office in London, but work location is flexible in the UK, with travel across the country as required for site visits and stakeholder meetings. 

Your impact

We are looking for a Project Developer to lead the development of private-wire solar and BESS projects in the UK from early-stage qualification through to construction readiness.  A key part of this role is to strengthen Alight’s internal capability in private-wire development by helping to standardise processes, frameworks and best practices across the business. 

Site identification and assessment

• Identify and screen sites suitable for private-wire solar generation

• Assess site viability through constraints mapping, grid capacity, access, yield analysis and cable routing
  

Land rights and agreements

• Engage landowners and agents to secure site control via exclusivity

• Lead negotiations for land agreements, including Heads of Terms, options to lease, leases, easements, wayleaves and access rights

• Coordinate with legal counsel to progress land agreements efficiently

Project development to RTB

• Coordinate all technical, planning and commercial workstreams to reach ready-to-build (RTB) status

• Manage all development activities to achieve RTB status, including planning, grid, design, environmental assessments, surveys and permitting

• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders (technical, planning, legal, commercial) to keep projects on track

Commercial and private-wire structures

• Support the commercial team during structuring of private-wire PPAs and offtake arrangements with C&I clients

• Provide guidance on private-wire specifics, including easements, land options and long-term asset ownership considerations

Process and capability building

• Develop internal frameworks, best practices and repeatable processes for private-wire solar and hybrid projects

• Contribute to the company’s strategy for hybrid assets (solar + storage) delivered via private-wire

• Build and maintain strong relationships with corporate offtakers, landowners, planning authorities, DNOs and technical partners

We’re looking for you

• Proven experience developing private-wire or large-scale (5 MW+) solar and BESS projects in the UK

• Strong track record negotiating land agreements (Heads of Terms, leases, options, easements) with landowners and their advisors

• Excellent understanding of site constraints, planning requirements and grid considerations for ground-mounted solar and BESS

• Demonstrated ability to progress multiple projects in parallel from early concept through to RTB

• Strong commercial awareness, including PPA structures, land valuation and key value drivers for C&I offtakers

• Clear, confident communication and relationship management skills with landowners, corporate clients and public authorities

• Ability to interpret and work with surveys, layout designs, environmental assessments and grid studies 

• Fluent in English

• Located in the UK

Sounds like a fit? Apply today!