Climate17 is delighted to be partnering with The Greater South East Net Zero Hub (GSENZH); a high-profile and high-impact government-backed project group to develop and support the delivery of projects to accelerate the UK’s transition to Net Zero.

Set up by the UK government in 2018 and funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), there are five Local Net Zero Hubs across England. All Hubs work together to help the UK reach Net Zero.

To date, the Net Zero Hubs have supported 200+ major Net Zero projects valued at over £4Bn including large-scale solar, Heat Networks, Smart Grids, domestic retrofit, hydrogen development, public estate-wide energy opportunity assessments, fleet and depot decarbonisation, network constraint, building decarbonisation & research & development and we are now seeking a Regional Projects Programme Lead.

Job Purpose

The post holder will report into the Regional Director of the Greater South East Net Zero Hub (GSENZH) and be responsible for leading the successful delivery of regional projects. This includes the diligent administration of grant programmes, including the Local Energy Advice Demonstrator (LEAD) and the Community Energy Fund (CEF). Oversight of all Hub funded strategic projects, this includes local authority funded projects, DESNZ commissions, research and toolkits.

The Regional Projects Programme Lead will be responsible for leading the regional projects team, including grant funds manager, project officer and community energy development officer. The Hub operates a matrix approach to strategic project delivery working across programme teams. The GSENZH is funded by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

The post-holder will be expected to ensure all the appropriate project and programme management mechanisms are in place to successfully deliver LEAD and contract manage other projects.

Key Duties
 

• Work closely with the other Programme Leads and as a member of the Senior Management Team to ensure coordinated and strategically aligned delivery across the GSE region.
• Line management responsibility for the Regional Projects team, with matrix management of Project Managers working on strategic and technical project delivery.
• Manage the governance of £6million community grant schemes, strategic and technical assistance grant awards to public sector organisations ensuring compliance with our assessment frameworks and assurance processes.
• Contract management and performance of regionally procured projects, covering community energy, able to pay retrofit, strategic research, technical support and toolkits.
• Oversee the development of community energy capacity and capability across the region, with particular focus on bolstering relationships with local authorities.
• Monitor and evaluate projects and programme performance against targets and KPIs. Ensure value is maximised wherever possible and that the projects are delivered on time and the programme is delivered to budget.
• Develop and maintain good relationships with partner organisations, senior stakeholders in local, regional and national government and a range of organisations, which assist in the development and delivery of regional projects.
• Develop and oversee the appraisal and due diligence of grant applications, make recommendations to the Hub Board, produce monitoring and management reports to ensure Grant applications provide the maximum impact
• Clear audit trails are in place for all decisions made in relation to all grants awarded from concept to closure, and Key Performance Indicators are met
• Agreeing grants, keeping processes, procedures, and evidence up to date, assessing and reporting performance, ensuring accuracy of financials, and complying with data capture, data protection and data sharing requirements are all vital to the position.
• Specify, procure, contract and manage delivery of regional projects approved by the Hub Board or requested by DESNZ.
• Identify, articulate and communicate actual and foreseen barriers to the delivery of projects, undertake regular lessons learnt on all projects.
• Develop and implement a marketing and communications plan for regional projects, working closely with the Head of Operations to develop and coordinate communications and engagement between stakeholders to raise awareness of outcomes.
• Work closely with the Hub Data & Information Manager to develop and maintain appropriate systems, policies, and procedures, share good practice within the Hub team and put in place necessary procedures to ensure business continuity.
• Undertake any other tasks which are commensurate with the grading and nature of the post.

QUALIFICATIONS & KNOWLEDGE
 

• Educated to degree level or equivalent with relevance to the role.
• Knowledge of appropriate techniques for appraising, evaluating and monitoring grant applications
• Knowledge of setting up and operating programme and project management support systems, including processes, procedures, and tools
• Knowledge of domestic energy efficiency retrofit, community energy.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills: able to form effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders from public and private sectors, senior management.

• Broad knowledge of net zero and local energy
• Knowledge of consumer advice and protection legislation

EXPERIENCE
 

• Strong managerial skills with appropriate line management experience
• Experience of setting up and/or operating programme management support systems, with the ability to design and develop programmes for optimal delivery.
• Experience of recording, evidence keeping and managing submission of grant claims and financial information to meet monitoring and performance requirements.
• Experience of contract procurement, negotiation and management
• Experience of managing contractors, developing tender specifications and business cases
• Proven competency to collate, interpret and communicate detailed programme information.

• Experience of domestic energy efficiency retrofit.
• Experience of producing viable business cases
• Experience of working with and supporting community organisations
• Experience of producing reports for, and presenting to management Boards

Climate17 is a purpose-led, international Renewable Energy & Sustainability recruitment firm. We provide specialist talent acquisition services to organisations seeking to reduce their environmental footprint, as well as those working towards the decarbonisation of the energy sector.

Inclusive Application Process
Climate17 is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We believe there is no solution to climate change without people. We aim to increase diversity across all areas and as such, we are committed to partnering with clients and candidates to create an inclusive and sustainable regenerative world.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, or whether or not they have a disability. If you require additional support, equipment or resources in order to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know