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Sustainability Project Manager - Community Engagement

SUNOTEC • Germany • Added on Jul 27, 2026
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This role centers on managing the social license for large-scale renewable energy and battery storage portfolios across Germany. You will lead environmental and social compliance activities, ensuring every project aligns with rigorous international standards while developing deep local relationships. From conducting due diligence for financing partners to implementing on-site management plans, you are the bridge between technical infrastructure and community wellbeing.

Energy transitions are inherently spatial and social; at SUNOTEC, this position ensures that utility-scale developments benefit the humans living alongside them. By securing social impact through community investment and transparent dialogue, you transform abstract ESG goals into tangible local value. This is a rare opportunity to influence the infrastructure of the future by placing social equity and stakeholder trust at the heart of the development lifecycle.

This suits someone who possesses deep empathy and diplomatic skill, paired with the technical rigor to handle complex environmental compliance. You should be comfortable navigating high-stakes negotiations with municipalities while traveling frequently to project sites.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves leading Environmental and Social (E&S) activities for a growing portfolio of renewable energy and battery storage developments. You will be responsible for ensuring that all projects comply with international standards such as the IFC Performance Standards and EBRD requirements, which are critical for securing project financing and investor trust. Beyond compliance, you will own the development and execution of site-specific management plans. This includes identifying sustainable land-use opportunities and creating community investment initiatives that deliver measurable positive outcomes. Your mission is to ensure that as the company expands its energy infrastructure, the social and environmental footprint remains ethically managed and locally supported.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain significant exposure to the world of sustainable finance by preparing documentation and due diligence reports required by international lenders. Understanding how ESG performance translates into financial bankability is a high-value skill in today's infrastructure market. Additionally, you will deepen your expertise in integrated energy systems, learning how solar, battery storage, and grid infrastructure interact. Working within a multidisciplinary environment will provide insights into the lifecycle of large-scale projects, from early-stage development to long-term operation, all through the lens of social and environmental performance.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings between 5 to 8 years of experience in stakeholder management, ESG, or social impact within the infrastructure sector. You should have a firm grasp of environmental and social sustainability topics and how they apply to 15 GW+ scale projects. A degree in environmental or social sciences is expected to provide the necessary theoretical foundation. Soft skills are paramount here; we look for outstanding communication and the ability to navigate sensitive public-facing environments. Given the localized nature of the work, a deep understanding of German culture and community dynamics is essential, as is the flexibility to travel across the country for on-site engagement.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability theory and demonstrate your hands-on experience with social license to operate. Providing concrete examples of how you have successfully navigated complex stakeholder conflicts or designed community benefit schemes in past infrastructure projects will be highly viewed. Since SUNOTEC operates internationally but executes locally, your application should highlight your ability to bridge the gap between international corporate standards and local German grassroots needs. Tailor your CV to show a mix of technical compliance (E&S auditing) and social diplomacy.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is the cornerstone of the company's 'People' pillar within its sustainability strategy. While environmental metrics are important, your primary focus will be on the social dimension of ESG, ensuring that the 'just transition' is more than a buzzword by facilitating local economic value and community consent. You will also influence the 'Land and Resources' pillar by assessing sustainable land-use opportunities. By integrating biodiversity or agricultural benefits into project sites, you help ensure that renewable energy generation does not come at the expense of local ecosystem health or community heritage.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

The most significant challenge will be balancing the fast-paced development timelines of an IPP portfolio with the slow, deliberate process of building genuine community trust. Conflict management may be necessary when local groups or NGOs have concerns about project footprints or visual impacts. Logistically, the high level of mobility (50-75% travel) requires strong self-organization and the ability to maintain momentum on long-term management plans while frequently being away from your home office. You must remain resilient in the face of bureaucratic or public pushback during the permitting and development phases.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a due diligence meeting to review environmental documentation for a new battery storage project, ensuring it meets lender requirements. Midday could be spent traveling to a project site to meet with a local municipality or landowner to discuss community investment funds. In the afternoon, you might shift to an analytical mode, drafting an Environmental and Social Management Plan or reviewing monitoring data from an operational site. Collaboration with engineering and project management teams is constant to ensure that sustainability commitments are technically feasible and integrated into the construction schedule.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

As SUNOTEC expands into new markets and increases its focus on Independent Power Producer (IPP) activities, this role offers a path toward strategic sustainability leadership. There is potential to shape the company's overarching ESG strategy as it scales its operations globally. Success in this role could lead to Global Lead or Director-level positions focusing on social impact or stakeholder strategy. The expertise gained in managing large-scale infrastructure sustainability is a highly transferable and in-demand skill set within the broader renewable energy and private equity sectors.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal collaboration is key, as you will work closely with Project Developers, Engineers, and Investment Managers to ensure sustainability is baked into the project design. You will also report to international sustainability leadership to align local actions with the global ESG strategy. Externally, your days will be spent with a wide array of German stakeholders, including municipal authorities, NGOs, landowners, and community leaders. You will also periodically interact with external lenders and environmental consultants during the audit and due diligence phases of project financing.

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