Managing Director – Onshore Energy

Great British Energy (GBE) is a publicly owned energy company, created to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies and to ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers, communities and the energy workforce reap the benefits of a clean and secure energy system. 

For more information on GBE, please click here: Great British Energy Live Assignments – FWB

The Onshore Energy Managing Director will lead GBE’s team responsible for the origination, development, construction, and ownership of a diverse portfolio of renewable assets, including wind, solar, and battery storage.  

This role demands entrepreneurial leadership and deep sector expertise, with a strong focus on project origination, development, construction, operations, and strategic investment. The successful candidate will shape the team’s strategy, deliver complex projects, and build internal capability while advocating for capital allocation through compelling investment cases.  

Driving growth and delivering long-term value via ownership and strategic partnerships will be central to this role.

Strategy and Leadership 

• Define and execute a comprehensive onshore energy strategy covering wind, solar PV, LDES, BESS, PHS, and Green Hydrogen, aligned with GBE’s Strategic Plan and national energy goals. 

• Develop and implement long-term plans for portfolio growth through acquisitions and new developments. 

• Catalyse investment in emerging onshore technology applications / projects such as colocation, hybrid assets and repowering.  

• Build and inspire a high-performing team with expertise in development, construction, and operations, fostering innovation and collaboration. 

Project and Portfolio Management 

• Lead the full IPP lifecycle: site origination, development, partnerships, commercial structuring, procurement, construction, and asset management. 

• Oversee identification, development, and delivery of new onshore projects ensuring scalability and diversification. 

• Manage full P&L accountability for the onshore portfolio, including budgeting and investment partnerships. 

Commercial and Financial Execution 

• Establish strategic partnerships with developers, investors, and supply chain partners to accelerate project delivery. 

• Oversee commercial Route-to-Market strategies, including Power Purchase Agreements and revenue optimisation. 

• Lead investment execution: drive onshore transactions consistent with GBE’s mandate from ideation to close, working with GBE’s Investment Execution team on external due diligence, and deal structuring (minority equity, JVs, grants/loans). 

• Secure capital allocation by presenting robust business cases and delivering measurable returns. 

Risk, Governance & Compliance 

• In alignment with GBE-wide governance, oversee the implementation of enterprise‑grade risk management frameworks spanning financial, operational, regulatory, planning and community risks for GBE Onshore. 

• Ensure best‑practice HSE, quality assurance, information governance and cyber resilience across the Local portfolio and delivery operations. 

• Oversee transparent reporting, assurance and audit readiness consistent with public sector standards. 

Operational Excellence 

• Drive performance optimisation across all assets, implementing best practices for reliability, efficiency, and sustainability. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build and maintain relationships with government bodies, local communities, investors, and supply chain partners. 

• Engage with a broad range of stakeholders, including Government ministers and industry leaders, to influence policy and secure strategic partnerships. 

• Act as a key interface across vertical project teams and coordinate with Offshore, Local, and cross-cutting supply chain functions. 

Collaboration 

• Act as a key leader within GBE’s project teams, coordinating with Offshore, Local and cross‑cutting Supply Chain functions to ensure pipeline coherence, procurement leverage and UK jobs. 

People & Culture 

• Develop and inspire a high‑performing, multidisciplinary team blending development, project finance, construction, operations, customer service and data/tech skills. 

• Foster a culture of purpose, performance and inclusion with clear accountabilities, learning pathways and leadership succession plans. 

Public Representation 

• Serve as a visible spokesperson for GBE Onshore for media, conferences, investor and community forums, communicating progress, impact and lessons learned with clarity and credibility. 

Essential Experience and Skills 

• Extensive sector experience: Deep understanding of UK energy market, regulatory frameworks, and planning processes. Experience professional in the renewable energy sector, including in senior leadership roles managing large, complex renewable portfolios within utility-scale power generation.  

• Portfolio Development & Delivery: Demonstrated success in building and scaling a portfolio of distributed energy assets, including origination, development, construction, and operational management. 

• Commercial and financial acumen: Proven expertise in project financing, investment, and asset management, with advanced analytical capabilities.  

• Strategic leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex projects and high-performing teams; able to inspire and motivate in a dynamic environment.  

• Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a start-up environment and managing ambiguity while delivering results.  

• Vision and influence: Ability to set clear goals, prioritise effectively, and confidently represent the business to investors, regulators, industry bodies, and communities.  

• Collaboration and relationship-building: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to foster cross-functional and external stakeholder relationships.  

• Execution under pressure: Skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously, meeting tight deadlines, and thriving in a fast-paced environment.  

• Capability development: Experience in building and supporting asset management teams and internal capabilities.  

Desirable Skills: 

• Public Representation: Experience as a spokesperson at national or regional level, media interviews, conferences, and community forums, communicating complex energy and investment topics clearly and credibly. 

• Policy and Regulatory Insight: Deep understanding of UK energy policy development, subsidy control, and regulatory frameworks governing local generation, flexibility markets, and community ownership. 

• Supply Chain Development: Knowledge of UK supply chain dynamics for local energy technologies and experience in initiatives to strengthen domestic content and regional economic impact. 

• Public Sector Governance: Understanding of government investment standards, assurance processes, and compliance requirements for grant distribution and procurement. 

Qualifications:  

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in engineering, energy, economics, finance, public policy or a related discipline. 

• Postgraduate qualifications and/or professional accreditation (e.g., CEng, CFA, PMI/Prince2, APM) are advantageous.