Business Development Manager Offshore Windfarms - AR/08/38

Airtricity is a world leading renewable energy company developing and operating wind farms across Europe.  The company is both a generator and supplier of electricity and currently supplies green electricity to over 38,000 commercial customers in Ireland.

In January 2008, the sale of Airtricity was completed to Scottish and Southern Energy Plc.  SSE is the UK’s largest generator of renewable energy, owning and operating over 1,300MW of hydro and one of the UK’s largest operational wind farms.

This senior position reports to the General Manager UK Offshore Development and is an active member of the Airtricity Offshore management team, and more generally the Airtricity Generation, Operation and Development management team.

The primary responsibility for this post is to manage commercial aspects of the UK Offshore Development activities and in particular the joint venture partnerships which are to be entered into.   Detailed accountabilities will include:

• Identification of potential joint venture opportunities and lead in the negotiation of the terms of such joint venture arrangements.   Overall management of the joint ventures
• Responsibility for the commercial aspects of UK Offshore wind development activities including third party agreements such as grid connection agreements, leases and consents.
• Undertaking high level economic screening analysis of potential projects, using Airtricity’s PET and other tools.   Working in conjunction with the Corporate Finance team in Dublin, build appropriate economic models to evaluate wind farm projects.
• Preparation of investment approval documents and co-ordination of due diligence required for any acquisition opportunities.
• Contribute to development of the overall UK Offshore Wind Development strategy and implementation of this strategy
• Ensuring that project managers keep to budgets and submit reasonable projections of costs.
• Regular communication of project progress to stakeholders. Identification and internal communication of opportunities and risks associated with the proposed developments.
• Detailed management and control of agreed budgets describing variance when appropriate.   Contribute to annual setting of budgets.
• Represent General Manager UK Offshore Development as required at meetings, conferences etc.

The successful candidate would ideally have:

• Strong numerical ability with a relevant degree
• 10 years relevant post-qualification experience
• Extensive commercial experience, ideally in the power or offshore sector, including experience of:
• Contracts
• Joint venture agreements
• Building and maintenance detailed financial models capable of being used to evaluate investment opportunities
• Understanding of business risk analysis and techniques to mitigate
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to present effectively business cases for development assets
• Comfortable presenting at senior management and Board level
• Excellent organisation and management skills
• Be highly motivated and driven by success
• A self-starter attitude with the ability to multi-task, work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills
• Fluency in English
• A full driving license.

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter quoting reference AR/08/38 to careers@airtricity.com closing date for applications is Friday 30 May 2008.