Bristol Energy Cooperative 

Bristol Energy Cooperative is a not-for-profit, community-owned enterprise that delivers ground-breaking community-owned renewable energy installations that benefit the entire community. Since 2011 we’ve raised £15 million to develop 17 clean energy generation projects around Bristol, currently generating enough energy to power 3,250 homes. We have over 1500 investor members.

We create a massive positive impact by recycling revenues to community benefit projects, with over £350,000 already produced for social and environmental initiatives. 

We recently completed a 1MW rooftop PV install at the second Bottleyard Film studios TBY2, winning the 2023 Sustainable Initiative Award at Screen International’s Global Production Awards, with what we believe is the largest community rooftop solar array in the UK.  We also manage numerous other solar installations, utilising Bristol’s potential for rooftop solar energy generation.

You can find more information about our work on our website: https://bristolenergy.coop/ Our social media channels include Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube. This recent video is a nice outline of our journey as an organisation and this video explains the concept of community energy. These might be useful to watch for background information.

About the job

Position: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Accountable to: The Board of Directors

Hours: 35 hours a week

Salary: Negotiable 

Terms: Permanent 

Location: Hybrid working – in our office at Brunswick Square BS2 in Bristol, can work flexibly from home part-time

Main purpose of the job

To lead Bristol Energy Cooperative (BEC) deliver its strategic objectives, provide the expertise and experience to help it scale up significantly, and represent the organisation externally.

Job Responsibilities

• Owning the business strategy and leading its delivery.
• Being the key liaison between the Operations team and the Board.
• Leading commercial negotiations and sourcing capital.
• Being an ambassador for and champion of the cooperative.
• Ensuring compliance with business legal requirements and BEC’s in-house policies.
• Being a thought leader within the community energy sector.

What we’re looking for

As an inclusive employer, at Bristol Energy Cooperative, we actively encourage people of all backgrounds, ages, races, religions, belief systems, sexual orientations and gender identities to apply for this role. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups.

Knowledge, skills, and experience required

• A belief in the aims, purpose and vision of Bristol Energy Cooperative.
• Experience as a senior professional successfully leading an organisation through a significant period of growth.
• Track record of developing and implementing business plans and overseeing business case development
• Experience in sourcing funding for business growth and overseeing investment decision-making processes.
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills; experience of managing a team; creating a positive and inclusive working environment; and working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A confident spokesperson and public speaker, with a track record of speaking to the media.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience within a variety of organisations, including the third sector.
• MBA or other business management qualification.
• Knowledge of the Community Energy sector (or the Environmental sector more widely) and campaigning or lobbying experience.
• Expertise around monitoring and impact evaluation.

How to apply

To apply, please email admin@bristolenergy.coop with a CV and one page covering letter, explaining why you are a good fit for the role, including relevant examples of your experience and skills.

Please include the names of two referees in your application – these will not be

followed up until after an offer is made.  Finally, please complete our anonymous equality and diversity monitoring form

Bristol Energy Cooperative is committed to being an inclusive employer and providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for everyone. If you would like to submit your application in a different format such as video, or for any questions or access support, please email admin@bristolenergy.coop. 

Next steps

Closing date for applications: Friday 6^th October at 5pm

If you are successful at the nomination stage, we will invite you to an interview at our office in Bristol. We will send you more information on this in advance. We’re also happy to pay reasonable travel expenses for attendance at the interview. 

Interviews will be held in October.