Project Manager – Solar & Retrofit Delivery
Reports to: Chief Executive
Direct reports: None (task-level direction of volunteers)
Location: Hybrid, minimum one day a week at the Power Up office, plus regular site visits across London
Contract: Full-time (37.5 hours a week)
Salary: £50,000
Deadline for applications: 1 November 2026

About the role
Power Up North London is a community benefit society delivering solar PV, battery storage and building retrofit projects on community buildings across London. We are looking for an experienced, chartered built-environment professional to manage the technical delivery of our growing project pipeline.

You will take multiple projects from feasibility, through development, to capital deployment and handover – managing each stage, deciding whether projects are ready to pass each gate, and making sure every part of the work is coherent, correctly sequenced and of high quality. Skilled volunteers support delivery; you will direct their work and hold the reins on the whole portfolio of projects.

What you will do
• Lead delivery: own scope, quality, sequencing, budget and programme across several concurrent solar and retrofit projects.
• Run the project gates: prepare gate papers and recommend go / no-go decisions at feasibility, development and capital deployment stages.
• Manage the technical supply chain: commission and review structural surveys, roof surveys, grid connection applications, installer procurement, commissioning and O&M handover.
• Procure and manage contractors: specify requirements, run tenders, evaluate bids on technical merit and manage contracts.
• Assure quality: check and sign off designs, surveys, specifications and as-built information before they are relied upon.
• Deploy volunteers: assign skilled volunteers to specific work packages, set clear briefs and review their outputs.
• Manage risk and safety: maintain risk registers and build CDM 2015 and health & safety requirements into every project.
• Report clearly: translate technical detail into decision-ready reports for the Chief Executive, Board and funders.

What we are looking for
Essential
• Chartered status in a relevant built-environment discipline, e.g. ARB-registered Architect, Chartered Engineer (ICE/IStructE/CIBSE/IET), MRICS/FRICS or MCIOB/FCIOB. Architects are especially encouraged to apply.
• At least 5 years leading technically complex design-and-construction projects (as Project Manager, Employer’s Agent, Lead Consultant/Architect or equivalent), from inception through to completion and handover.
• A proven track record of managing multiple concurrent projects or workstreams.
• Hands-on experience of the technical supply chain for solar PV or comparable construction projects, including structural and roof surveys, grid connection and contractor procurement.
• Experience applying a staged or gated delivery framework (e.g. RIBA Plan of Work) and informing go/no-go decisions.
• Experience directing and quality-assuring the work of contractors, consultants and/or volunteers.
• Working knowledge of CDM 2015 and construction health & safety.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong organisation and clear written communication.
Desirable
• Retrofit delivery experience (e.g. PAS 2035/2038).
• Experience of community energy, third-sector or grant-funded projects.

How to apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter (max. 1 page) explaining how you meet the essential criteria to [email protected] by 1 November 2026.