Dartmoor Declares Energy Independence Project Manager

Dartmoor Declares Energy Independence Project Manager

Job Title: Dartmoor Declares Energy Independence (DDEI) Project Manager
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Contract Type: Part time self-employed contractor
Salary/Fee: £14-21K, based on approximately 75-100 days per year
Location: Dartmoor, with hybrid working
Contract Period: Initially 12 months

Help shape a more resilient energy future for Dartmoor

Dartmoor Futures is looking for an experienced and entrepreneurial Project Manager to lead delivery of Dartmoor Declares Energy Independence: an ambitious pilot programme focused on increasing local energy resilience, supporting community-led climate action and demonstrating practical low-carbon solutions across Dartmoor.

The project will support the delivery of small-scale solar PV and battery storage installations across 6–8 farm and community sites. Alongside this practical delivery, it will bring together landowners, communities, energy specialists, local authorities and network stakeholders to explore a longer-term approach to more resilient and locally beneficial energy systems on Dartmoor.

This is an opportunity to deliver practical change while helping shape wider thinking about Dartmoor’s energy future.

About the role

You will lead delivery of the pilot programme, coordinating deployment of capital loans, supporting site hosts through installation activity and ensuring that delivery is monitored effectively.

You will also convene partners and stakeholders to develop learning from the pilot, identify future opportunities and support the development of a longer-term roadmap for energy resilience on Dartmoor.

Your work will include:

• leading delivery of solar PV and battery storage installations across farm and community sites;
• developing and maintaining project plans, budgets and delivery timelines;
• supporting the deployment and monitoring of capital loan agreements with participating sites;
• coordinating relationships with site hosts, technical advisers, installers and contractors;
• monitoring outputs, outcomes and reporting requirements;
• convening partners from the farming, energy, environmental and community sectors;
• facilitating workshops and strategic conversations about Dartmoor’s energy resilience;
• identifying future funding, partnership and scaling opportunities;
• preparing updates, reports, presentations and case studies for Dartmoor Futures and its stakeholders.

About you

We are looking for someone with proven experience of delivering capital infrastructure or renewable energy projects, together with strong project management, budgeting and stakeholder engagement skills.

You will be comfortable working independently, managing several relationships at once and navigating practical delivery in rural settings. You will also be able to build trust, bring people together around a shared purpose and translate learning from a pilot programme into future opportunities.

Knowledge of solar PV and battery storage is important. Experience of grant-funded programmes, community energy, rural development, multi-agency partnerships or relevant planning and regulatory frameworks would be an advantage.

You will need to be able to travel regularly across Dartmoor to visit participating sites and meet project partners.

About Dartmoor Futures

Dartmoor Futures is a charity which convenes, tests and grows ideas that support a thriving, regenerative and resilient Dartmoor.

Through Dartmoor Declares Energy Independence, we want to explore how locally appropriate, community-connected energy solutions can improve resilience, generate wider benefits and provide learning for Dartmoor’s future.

Dartmoor Futures welcomes applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment and will make reasonable adjustments for applicants who require them during the recruitment process.

Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, evidence of eligibility to work in the UK. As this is a self-employed contract, the successful applicant will be responsible for their own tax, National Insurance and pension arrangements and will be expected to hold appropriate insurance for the work undertaken.