Head of Programme - CommuniPower

We have an opportunity for a Head of Programme to lead in empowering local communities to achieve Net Zero throughout England. We are looking for an experienced team leader and programme manager to work alongside the CES Directors to deliver our CommuniPower contracts and take the Business Unit to the next level.

About Community Energy South

Community Energy South was set up in 2013 to support the network of community energy groups in the Southeast of England. Our mission is to enable, motivate and inspire local communities to play a key role in the net zero transition through renewable energy, energy efficiency and retrofit projects.

We act as a catalyst and capacity building hub for community energy groups to become empowered to work effectively, reducing carbon emissions and boosting local economies.

Community Energy South is recognised by Community Energy England as a ‘beacon of excellence and a model for others to emulate’. We were awarded the 'Leading Sector Support' Award by Community Energy England in 2023.

About CommuniPower

The CommuniPower Project aims to take a new approach to domestic decarbonisation, with local communities at its heart. The project is directing funding and support to the delivery of community led services from the ‘bottom up’, creating local green jobs, improving skills and generating local marketplaces for the provision of retrofit services.

We are working in partnership with Local Authorities, the Department of Net Zero and Climate Change and the local Distribution Network Operators, to increase domestic uptake of a range of measures including heat pumps, insulation upgrades, and solar PV. We are also delivering innovative regional decarbonisation plans, working alongside our project partners.

Over the next year, we aim to reach 24,000 homes with ongoing plans to significantly upscale in the following year. CommuniPower has the potential to influence the future of how Low and Zero Carbon Technologies are adopted by communities, with the Head of Programme having the opportunity to shape this approach and influence Net Zero across the UK.

Job Description

As Head of Programme for CommuniPower, you will be responsible for managing the development and delivery of the CommuniPower Business Unit and Team at Community Energy South.

This will include:

• Working alongside the CES Directors to design delivery strategy for the CommuniPower Business Unit, and associated products and services, as part of the CES Business Plan.
• Leading on implementing project programmes and project budgets over multiple funding streams, ensuring delivery according to KPIs and project milestones.
• Managing the CommuniPower Project Team and ensuring high quality outputs relating to communications programmes, retrofit champions coordination, providing training and skills development programmes, identifying opportunities and long-term plans for energy efficiency, retrofit and community led renewable energy projects.
• Undertaking personal development appraisals within the CommuniPower Team, managing workload, training allocation and any performance management needs.
• Ensuring that effective programme management, monitoring and reporting systems are in place and that they are used to their full potential.
• Working alongside the Communications Manager to design effective communications and engagement strategies.
• Overseeing the delivery of innovative decarbonisation planning and software solutions for retrofit advice, providing input into effective methodology and outcomes.
• Being a key part of contract management and reporting processes, representing CES in key client meetings.
• Managing a business unit risk register, reporting on risks to the CES Executive Team, developing and implementing proactive risk management strategies.
• Taking ownership of the CommuniPower Brand, identifying new business opportunities for CommuniPower and working with the CES Directors to secure new contracts.
• Representing the CommuniPower Business Unit at events and providing presentations for a range of audiences.
• Producing monthly project reports for the CES board and project funders.
• Undertaking other related tasks or projects as determined by the Executive team throughout (or in the process of) the development of the business.

Reporting and accountable to: CES Executive Director (Chief Operating Officer).

Key working relationships: Development Director, Chief Executive, Project Managers for Community Energy Pathways, Communications Manager, Technical Manager, Corporate Services Manager.

Responsible for: CommuniPower Project Coordinators and Project Assistants.

Person Specification

Essential:

• A proactive, organised, self-starter who can lead and develop projects with attention to detail and astute judgement.
• A proven track record of delivering projects to schedule, managing budgets, delivering successful outcomes, prioritising and managing competing demands.
• Demonstrable experience of managing a team, developing their skills and capabilities, resolving conflict in a high-pressure environment.
• Experience of running complex programmes that deliver innovation, with an emphasis on community engagement.
• Good understanding of Local Area Energy Planning methodology, retrofit and/or renewables markets.
• Educated to degree level in a related discipline or equivalent work-based experience.

Desirable:

• Experience in delivering training and skills development programmes.
• Experience within the Community Energy sector.

Application:

CV and covering letter by 6th March to Esmé Donghi, Executive Director esme.donghi@communityenergysouth.org