Job Title: Community and Stakeholder Engagement Manager
Department: Environmental and Social Planning
Location: Sydney, Australia
About Lightsource bp
Lightsource bp is a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects, and a 50:50 joint venture with bp. Our purpose is to deliver affordable and sustainable solar power for businesses and communities around the world.
With solar set to increase tenfold in the next 20 years, we are well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. By joining the Lightsource bp team, you have a chance to ‘be the change’ - driving the world’s energy transition to a more sustainable future.
We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit as we continue to push the boundaries of an ever-changing energy landscape. By choosing a career with us, you can expect a challenging and fulfilling role surrounded by passionate people with brilliant ideas about sustainable technology, innovation and making the world a better place.
What you’ll do (the role)
Purpose of the role
We are looking for a Community and Stakeholder Engagement Manager with a bit of spark and drive, keen to work client side in the renewable energy industry in Lightsource bp’s in-house Environmental and Social Planning Team. You will lead on all community and stakeholder engagement aspects of a project’s life cycle, from initial site selection, planning application preparation, local authority liaison, stakeholder engagement, pre and post construction work.
We encourage close collaboration across teams, and you will work closely with other internal teams, including business development, design, construction, asset management and structured finance.
You will also be part of the wider global environmental and social planning community at Lightsource bp, with the opportunity to get involved in company level initiatives that interest you.
- Preparing robust, innovative and comprehensive community engagement strategies for each project that reflects emerging trends, Government guidelines and community expectations.
- Provide internal leadership in community engagement to ensure understanding and practice of community engagement continues to be embedded in the organisation.
- Organise, attend and take a leading role in community engagement activities and outputs.
- Research, develop and implement a range of innovative techniques to engage communities and stakeholders in project development, particularly the use of technology such as social media, online and internal engagement platforms.
- Understand and implement new models of project benefit sharing, including neighbourhood agreements and community funds.
- Communicate effectively and appropriately with diverse range of stakeholders, including members of public
- Participate in internal project teams to progress development of projects.
- Representing the company by participating in industry conferences, forums, workshops and meetings, involving various third parties including other developers, suppliers, network service providers, regulators and Government authorities.
- Providing input into Team and Department strategy.
- Developing strong relationships with internal team members and being involved in maintaining relationships with key external stakeholders.
Who we’re looking for
- Comprehensive working knowledge of the federal, state and local environmental and social planning systems across Australian jurisdictions, with knowledge of New Zealand systems a bonus.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, and an ability to build relationships and trust with a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Commercial acumen and entrepreneurial values.
- Ability to manage complex project issues, managing time, setting priorities and organising the complex logistics of engagement activities and outputs
- Solid understanding of both the underlying principles and practises of community engagement in the Australian context, with understanding of the New Zealand context an advantage.
- Knowledge of community engagement strategies in the Australian renewables space, with knowledge of the New Zealand renewables space an advantage.
- Demonstrated record of delivering successful community activities and outputs at a range of scales, including adapting to challenges and managing sensitive projects.
- Experience in ground mount solar PV, wind and/or other renewable energy/infrastructure projects.
- Solid understanding of the project development life cycle from early stage to COD.
- Valid driver's licence and ability to travel to New Zealand and within Australia.
- IAP2 Member an advantage.
- Fluent English essential.
Why you’ll make a great member of the team
- Excellent technical, project management and communication skills with experience working with multi-disciplinary project teams.
- Driven with a hands-on proactive approach to business, and the ability to be flexible and adapt rapidly.
Why you’ll want to work for us
Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow; a place where your ideas and opinions matter.
Be you
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.
Be responsible
Our culture is driven by our core values. From operating safely to ensuring our solar projects are responsible and promote biodiversity.
Be recognized
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.
Be inspired
Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. Initiatives to get involved with including our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project or our sustainability initiatives.
Our Core Values
Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity,
Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.
https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers/