We’re looking for a Development Manager to lead the development and delivery of complex community projects across Scotland.

You'll support communities to realise larger-scale opportunities in renewable energy, energy storage, flexibility services and local energy systems. Working as part of the Local Energy Scotland team, you'll provide specialist technical and commercial expertise, helping communities navigate project development, overcome barriers and bring projects through to delivery.

You'll also play an important role in the ongoing development of the Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), helping to identify emerging opportunities, develop innovative project models and ensure communities can benefit from developments across the energy sector.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong project development experience who enjoys working collaboratively with communities and partners to create lasting environmental, social and economic benefits.

The team

Our renewables team supports communities across Scotland to develop and deliver projects that reduce carbon emissions, improve energy resilience and accelerate the transition to net zero.

You'll join a friendly, supportive and collaborative team delivering the Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). Working closely with community organisations, public sector partners, network operators, consultants and contractors, you'll help create the conditions for more ambitious and impactful community energy projects across Scotland.

What you will do

• Manage a portfolio of higher-value, technically complex and strategic community energy projects from early-stage concept through to delivery, operation and optimisation.
• Identify and promote opportunities in renewable energy, energy storage, flexibility services and local energy systems.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community organisations, Distribution Network Operators, contractors, consultants, public sector partners and funders.
• Contribute technical expertise and market insight to support the ongoing development of CARES and community energy policy and delivery.

What you will bring

• Experience developing renewable energy, energy systems or other complex infrastructure projects.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience providing technical leadership, quality assurance or specialist advice across projects or programmes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.

Who we are

Energy Saving Trust is a leading and trusted organisation, dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use. We aim to address the climate emergency and deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as we transition to net zero.

At Energy Saving Trust we don’t just offer jobs – we offer careers. For our people, being part of the effort to address the climate emergency makes working for us truly meaningful and rewarding.

Work where you thrive At Energy Saving Trust, flexibility isn’t just a policy, it’s how we work. Most of our roles can be done remotely, and many of our people choose to work from home full-time. Prefer an office environment? We have welcoming spaces in London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff and Hadleigh for those who want to connect in person.

We’ll support you with:

• Generous holiday (25 days + bank holidays + extra Christmas leave)
• True flexibility in how and where you work
• Strong pension & life assurance
• Enhanced family leave
• Green travel perks (EV scheme, cycle to work)
• Professional development support
• Yearly wellbeing allowance

These are just some of the benefits we offer.

Reasonable adjustments: We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive of and accessible for, everyone.

If you think you may need additional support or reasonable adjustments made to any part of the recruitment process, please get in touch.

Diversity and inclusion

Energy Saving Trust is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone can be themselves, with support to be their best.

We strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and with different identities and experiences to apply for roles with Energy Saving Trust.

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and we ringfence a minimum number of interview slots for candidates who apply via the Disability Confident scheme and meet the criteria for a role.