Innovation Programme Manager

For over a decade we've been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise. Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long‑term sustainable growth and energy security. Lightsource bp operates with five core values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Drive.

Purpose of the role: Lightsource bp Innovation Team delivers technical innovation projects and supports the introduction of new technologies and methodologies to the company across the globe. In addition, the team provides technology support and analytics for our existing global portfolio. As an Innovation Programme Manager you will act as the secondary point of accountability for the full delivery of industrial scale trials and project‑level coordination, driving forward high‑quality deliverables, managing reporting cadences, and supporting the technical leads across multiple projects. Your role will be key to ensuring delivery excellence in a complex, cross‑functional, and future‑facing project.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Act as the secondary point of contact after the Senior Innovation Engineer for programme‑level internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the delivery and coordination of internal and external meeting cadence and engagement strategy.
• Oversee and ensure quality and scope fulfilment of technical workstream outputs.
• Ensure HSE practices are prioritised in all activities.
• Track and report on progress, budget, risk, and resource allocation in collaboration with the Senior Innovation Engineer.
• Develop, coordinate, and present reporting materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate data collection, document and report development, and stakeholder workshops.
• Assist in partnering strategy development and early‑stage business development activities.
• Provide backstopping to technical leads in areas including system modelling, module design, structure and foundation, and automated deployment.
• Maintain collaboration with Innovation, Strategy, Procurement, Construction, BD, and Engineering teams across global business units.
• Ensure financial, regulatory, and contractual compliance with the support of relevant internal stakeholders.
• Interact and constructively engage with the full range of third‑party organisations necessary to deliver field trials including EPC’s, Engineering groups, suppliers, consultants, funding bodies, HSE and similar.
• Present program findings to relevant stakeholders including industry and funding partners where relevant.

Wider role:

• Support Commercial Engineering, Delivery PMs and Communications team during Construction period, Work Completion, PAC and FAC.
• Support Asset Management and O&M on ad hoc queries on performance and monitoring.
• Coordinate and organise with Third Parties e.g. Contractors, Technical Advisors and Governmental Bodies for review.

Knowledge / Experience:

• Proven experience (5+ years) in project management of complex physical delivery (i.e. not Software), cross‑functional initiatives.
• Strong capabilities in project planning, monitoring, and reporting.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with financial, regulatory, and contractual compliance.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Adept in facilitating stakeholder meetings and producing high‑quality reports and presentations.

Advantages:

• Domain knowledge in renewable energy, especially utility‑scale solar PV.
• Experience working in construction, manufacturing, or infrastructure development environments.
• Familiarity with government grant programs (e.g. reporting and compliance requirements).
• Familiarity with techno‑commercial evaluations or early‑stage innovation projects.
• Knowledge of EPC/ O&M contract Technical Appendices.
• Understanding of FEED (Front‑End Engineering Design) processes.
• Project & Programme Management certification such as PRINCE2, PMP, and/or MSP.

Work Skills:

• Fluent English spoken and written.
• Proactive and being able to prioritize workload.
• Autonomous, adaptable and multi‑skilled.
• Forward thinking, a problem solver and solution provider.
• Able to promote a positive working culture within the team.
• Full Driving license.

Why you’ll want to work for us:

• 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 projects are responsible.
• 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.

Additional Role‑Specific Information:

• Travel & Flexibility: Regular site visits and out‑of‑hours working may be required. The role involves 10-20% travel to support field trials, global stakeholder engagement, and third‑party coordination.
• Working Environment: This role operates in a dynamic, international setting with frequent interaction across multiple time zones. Strong asynchronous communication and time‑zone flexibility are essential.
• HSE Requirements: All activities must prioritise health, safety, and environmental compliance. Familiarity with HSE protocols in construction and industrial environments is important.