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Senior Project Manager

Job Description

Senior Project Manager

London based, with UK wide travel

Up to £90,000 plus benefits and incentives

The Company

Xela Energy (XE) is an Independent Power Producer (IPP) and the UK’s leading provider of Private Wire renewable energy solutions. We work with industrial-scale power consumers including data centres, industrial manufacturing and blue-chip technology organisations to provide secure, sustainable and cost-effective renewable power.

We fund, identify, permit, build, own and operate large scale Private Wire renewable energy projects. The business is focussed on supplying affordable clean power to Large Power Users (LPU), helping to build resilience and deliver against customer’s climate goals.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to oversee and deliver high-value, capital-intensive projects while continuously refining project management processes as part of a high-performing team.

The Senior PM is central to project delivery, collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure efficient and disciplined execution of projects. They will require strong commercial acumen and a technical understanding of renewable energy infrastructure.

Why join us?

If you join us, you will:

  • get to work on projects that make a measurable environmental impact
  • work in a fast growing and ambitious renewable energy company, where you are given clear accountability and empowered to make informed decisions while operating within commercial and governance parameters
  • have direct access to senior leadership and decision makers
  • get the opportunity to build processes, input ideas and influence development

Key Responsibilities:

Pre-Construction Duties

  • Identify project constraints, such as permitting, grid connection, and land acquisition, and actively work to resolve them.
  • Prepare and evaluate EPC tenders, bids and proposals, conducting due diligence to ensure technical and commercial compliance.
  • Create and improve in-house robust project management frameworks, defining roles, responsibilities, and key deliverables for the pre-construction phase.
  • Build strong relationships with regulatory bodies, utilities, and planning authorities to ensure smooth navigation through the pre-construction process.
  • Conduct feasibility assessments to validate technical, financial, and logistical viability, ensuring projects meet stakeholder expectations and ROI targets.
  • Oversee grid connection studies and liaise with Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) or Transmission Operators to secure grid connection agreements.
  • Develop and implement risk management strategies to identify and mitigate potential pre-construction challenges.
  • Coordinate design reviews with external engineers to refine project specifications and confirm constructability.
  • Negotiate and finalise contracts for equipment supply, logistics, and construction, ensuring terms are favourable and risks are minimised.
  • Engage and coordinate with legal teams to ensure all permitting, compliance, and contractual documentation is in place.
  • Establish pre-construction budgets and ensure cost control measures are implemented effectively.

Construction Phase Duties

  • Oversee and monitor the performance of the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractor, ensuring adherence to agreed schedules, budgets, and project specifications.
  • Ensure all Health & Safety (H&S) standards are rigorously implemented and adhered to by all site personnel, instigating improvements where necessary.
  • Review and approve QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) documentation submitted by the EPC contractor, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and project specifications.
  • Facilitate effective communication between stakeholders, including contractors, suppliers, and internal teams, to resolve issues and maintain progress.
  • Manage the commissioning process, ensuring systems are tested, operational, and meet the required performance standards.
  • Ensure appropriate risk mitigation strategies are followed and actively manage construction-related risks.
  • Support the handover process to ensure all relevant documentation, permits, and approvals are in place at project completion.

Key Qualifications and Experience

  • Demonstrable experience of successfully delivering renewable energy projects from inception/concept through to completion, on time and on budget and in accordance with safety and environmental regulations
  • Ability to evidence a track record of implementing procurement strategies and contractual frameworks as well as negotiating contractual terms
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to engage confidently across all levels internally and externally
  • Degree-qualified in a technical discipline (Beng or BSc). Evidence of continued professional development or further education is advantageous
  • A relevant project management qualification or working towards this coupled with a good level of proficiency in PM and document controls systems and tools (e.g. MS project, Primavera, EDMS)
  • Proactive and forward-thinking mindset with a demonstrated ability to innovate and drive process improvement
  • Experience working collaboratively with internal and external subject matter experts in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
  • Passion for clean energy and sustainability