Senior Project Manager

Introduction:

We are looking for a motivated and organised senior project manager to work 3 days a week running the Green Open Homes B&NES project which showcases green homes and enables visitors to see first-hand how to make their own homes more energy efficient.

Open Homes events have a powerful effect on visitors. Research suggests that after visiting an Open Home, over 70% of people improve the energy efficiency of their own homes. As a result, Open Homes events have a big impact on the carbon emissions that are causing the climate crisis. In this role, you would provide this powerful experience to hundreds of local people, building on the success of BWCE’s Green Open Homes B&NES events in 2023.

Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE) is a not-for-profit community business,
committed to putting people and communities at the heart of the energy transition to zero
carbon. We are a member-led organisation and the majority of our members are local people. Our
vision is for an energy system where:

• People are empowered to reduce their carbon emissions and bills by improving the efficiency
  of their homes and using renewable energy at the time it is produced.
• People can buy low-cost, clean energy direct from local energy projects.
• Energy projects are owned and shaped by their communities – giving local people a voice in
  decision-making, and a stake in local projects.
• A more flexible grid maximises the use of intermittent renewable energy and removes the
  need for fossil fuels.

Starting in 2010, when we were founded, our first mission was to install community-owned
renewable energy. Through numerous schemes including solar panels on schools and larger solar
fields, we have installed enough renewable energy to meet the equivalent annual electricity
demand of around 4,500 homes. This is rapidly growing with a strong pipeline of future
projects.

As a community benefit society, we distribute excess revenues to local projects that tackle the
climate crisis and fuel poverty. So far, we have distributed over £380,000 of surplus income
into our independent community fund which has made grants to 91 community projects.

Building on the success of our renewable energy work, we recently set up a Home Energy
Programme to help residents reduce their energy use, bills and carbon emissions. Green Open
Homes B&NES is an important part of this programme, providing the inspiration and knowledge
that people need to get started or continue on their energy efficiency journey. The Home Energy
Programme also includes our new Home Energy Service which offers paid energy efficiency advice
and support for homeowners, and our Green Heritage Homes project to empower residents in listed
buildings to improve their energy efficiency.

As we take on new areas of work, BWCE is growing. We have 18 employees currently and our recent
Staff Survey attests that team members find BWCE a supportive, flexible, empowering and
mission-led place to work.

Green Open Homes B&NES

Green Open Homes B&NES showcases energy efficient homes. It provides an opportunity for
visitors to see energy measures first-hand and speak to other homeowners about their
experience. This is a powerful way to learn the reality of getting solar panels, insulation,
triple glazing, or new heating options without talking to a salesperson.

In November 2023, BWCE ran Green Open Homes events in Bath and the Chew Valley. They were
highly successful, with 778 visits to 22 Open Homes, supported by 45 volunteers. In the
feedback, 98% of visitors reported that they found the visits useful.

BWCE worked in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council, Buro Happold,
Transition Bath, Bath Preservation Trust and community leaders in the Chew Valley, with
sponsorship from the University of Bath, Good Energy and Mitchell & Dickenson. Funding was
also provided by the South West Net Zero Hub, which is hosted by the West of England Combined
Authority, through the Local Energy Advice Demonstrator (LEAD) Programme. The Centre for
Sustainable Energy (CSE) led the LEAD funding bid and included BWCE as the delivery partner for
B&NES.

Under LEAD, BWCE will run 8-10 further Open Homes events across the Bath & North East
Somerset district between now and April 2025. This will include another flagship event in Bath
next autumn, and smaller events in towns and villages in partnership with local community
groups, drawing on BWCE’s strong network of community contacts and the materials and processes
developed during the November 2023 events. Through these events, we will inspire hundreds more
local people to save energy, bills and carbon emissions.

Principal tasks

• Project Management: Building on existing plans, take a project management approach
  including risk and stakeholder management.
• Staff management: Manage a part-time Open Homes Coordinator who is remaining in post from
  the previous Open Homes events and will help identify, onboard and manage the home openers and
  volunteers and support local communities to run the project.
• Grant and budget management: Manage the budget and work with the Centre for Sustainable
  Energy to meet grant funder requirements.
• Sponsorship: Contact local organisations to secure further funding through sponsorship
  agreements.
• Partnership working: Work closely with existing partners and develop partnerships with
  community groups throughout the district to run Open Homes events in their communities.
• Communications: Work with the Engagement team in BWCE to oversee the delivery of a
  communications plan with partners.
• Events: Oversee the events that accompany the Open Homes such as trainings, workshops,
  launch events and celebration events.

Person specification:

The successful candidate will be able to show that they have the following:

Essential knowledge, experience, skills & attributes:

• Strong track record of project development and project management, including managing
  project budgets.
• Organised and efficient, with excellent attention to detail and strong time management
  skills.
• Experience of building or working with partnerships across sectors.
• Computer literate: confident and proficient with Microsoft Office, internet and data entry.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently.
• Creative problem solver and collaborative team player.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse range of people and
  organisations.
• Passionate about the community energy mission and tackling climate change.

Desirable knowledge, experience, skills & attributes:

• Relevant knowledge and experience of the local area.
• Track record of grant management or sponsorship.
• Built environment and/or energy experience or qualifications.
• Experience of managing volunteers or staff.
• Locally based since the project will require a good number of local face-to-face meetings

Application Process

To apply for this role, please complete the application form downloadable from the
‘Jobs’ page of the www.bwce.coop website. Please respond to the Person Specification
criteria using the STAR method – Situation, Task, Action, Result. CVs and cover letters are not
accepted. The application deadline is the 15th January at 11am. If you are selected for interview, we will notify you on the 16th January. Interviews will take place in person in Bath or online on:

• Thursday 18th January
• Tuesday 23rd January
• Wednesday 24th January

If you cannot make any of these dates please do apply and we will do our best to arrange a
mutually convenient interview time with you.

Bath and West Community Energy is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications
from individuals of all backgrounds. We look forward to seeing your application for
this unique and exciting opportunity.

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: £37,500 pro rata per year, so £22,500.00 per year for the 3 days a week role

Expected hours: 22.5 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Flexitime

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bath