Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to manage the social license to operate for renewable energy and battery storage projects. This involves acting as the lead liaison for local authorities, landowners, and NGOs, ensuring that community concerns are addressed throughout the project lifecycle. Responsibility extends to leading community investment initiatives , where you will identify and implement projects that create tangible local value. You will also oversee the creation of Environmental and Social (E&S) management plans and monitor local discourse to proactively manage stakeholder sentiment.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep exposure to the integrated energy systems sector, learning how large-scale solar and BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) projects are delivered from permitting to operation. This role offers a unique opportunity to master E&S management standards in a high-growth infrastructure environment. You will also develop specialized expertise in negotiating community benefit agreements and sustainable land-use planning, skills that are becoming increasingly vital as the European energy transition accelerates and regulatory requirements for social impact become more stringent.

Q: Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your specific knowledge of Bulgarian administrative and permitting processes . Highlight past experiences where you successfully turned a stakeholder conflict into a collaborative outcome, as this role relies heavily on building trust in challenging environments. Ensure your application reflects an understanding of the IPP (Independent Power Producer) model and the specific socio-economic landscape of Northeastern Bulgaria. Evidence of managing actual community investment budgets or E&S management plans will be highly valued by the hiring team.

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

The role focuses heavily on the Social and Governance (S&G) pillars of ESG. Specifically, it targets community engagement, local economic development, and responsible land use, ensuring that projects do not just meet environmental compliance but also foster social equity. You will contribute to the Climate and People pillars of the company’s sustainability strategy. By ensuring projects have high social acceptance and minimal negative impact on local land resources, you enable the faster deployment of renewable capacity required for the green energy transition.

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

One of the main challenges is navigating stakeholder resistance or misinformation regarding renewable energy developments. Balancing the technical requirements of large-scale infrastructure with the specific, often varied needs of local citizens and authorities requires significant emotional intelligence. Additionally, managing competing priorities across multiple project sites in a fast-paced environment can be demanding. You may face obstacles related to complex permitting documentation and the need to align international corporate standards with local cultural expectations and administrative nuances.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include the Project Development, Engineering, and Sustainability teams , with whom you will coordinate to align technical and social goals. You will report into the sustainability function while supporting local project managers. External interactions are diverse, ranging from local government officials and NGOs to private landowners and business owners. Maintaining a professional and trusted presence with these groups is the cornerstone of the role’s success.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission is to manage the social license to operate for renewable energy and battery storage projects. This involves acting as the lead liaison for local authorities, landowners, and NGOs, ensuring that community concerns are addressed throughout the project lifecycle. Responsibility extends to leading community investment initiatives, where you will identify and implement projects that create tangible local value. You will also oversee the creation of Environmental and Social (E&S) management plans and monitor local discourse to proactively manage stakeholder sentiment.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

Candidates will gain deep exposure to the integrated energy systems sector, learning how large-scale solar and BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) projects are delivered from permitting to operation. This role offers a unique opportunity to master E&S management standards in a high-growth infrastructure environment. You will also develop specialized expertise in negotiating community benefit agreements and sustainable land-use planning, skills that are becoming increasingly vital as the European energy transition accelerates and regulatory requirements for social impact become more stringent.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings between 5 to 8 years of experience in stakeholder management or ESG, preferably within the infrastructure or energy sectors. A strong educational background in sustainability, social sciences, or legal studies provides the necessary framework for navigating Bulgarian administrative processes. Crucially, you must be a diplomatic communicator capable of handling sensitive or emotionally charged situations. A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset is essential, as is the willingness to travel extensively (up to 75%) within Northeastern Bulgaria to maintain face-to-face relationships.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, demonstrate your specific knowledge of Bulgarian administrative and permitting processes. Highlight past experiences where you successfully turned a stakeholder conflict into a collaborative outcome, as this role relies heavily on building trust in challenging environments. Ensure your application reflects an understanding of the IPP (Independent Power Producer) model and the specific socio-economic landscape of Northeastern Bulgaria. Evidence of managing actual community investment budgets or E&S management plans will be highly valued by the hiring team.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The role focuses heavily on the Social and Governance (S&G) pillars of ESG. Specifically, it targets community engagement, local economic development, and responsible land use, ensuring that projects do not just meet environmental compliance but also foster social equity. You will contribute to the Climate and People pillars of the company’s sustainability strategy. By ensuring projects have high social acceptance and minimal negative impact on local land resources, you enable the faster deployment of renewable capacity required for the green energy transition.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

One of the main challenges is navigating stakeholder resistance or misinformation regarding renewable energy developments. Balancing the technical requirements of large-scale infrastructure with the specific, often varied needs of local citizens and authorities requires significant emotional intelligence. Additionally, managing competing priorities across multiple project sites in a fast-paced environment can be demanding. You may face obstacles related to complex permitting documentation and the need to align international corporate standards with local cultural expectations and administrative nuances.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with an early drive to a project site in Northeastern Bulgaria for a meeting with a local mayor or a group of landowners to discuss land use. Midday could involve reviewing E&S management plans or drafting a proposal for a local community investment project. Afternoons are often spent in cross-functional collaboration with the Project Development and Engineering teams to ensure technical plans align with social commitments. You might also monitor local media and social discourse to gauge sentiment before providing an update to the international sustainability team.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

As SUNOTEC continues to expand its IPP portfolio across Europe, successful managers in this role can transition into senior regional leadership or global ESG strategy positions. There is significant potential to shape the company's community engagement framework as it scales into new markets. Exposure to the full project lifecycle—from early development to operational phases—provides a platform to move into broader project management or dedicated E&S compliance roles within the renewable energy industry.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

Internal stakeholders include the Project Development, Engineering, and Sustainability teams, with whom you will coordinate to align technical and social goals. You will report into the sustainability function while supporting local project managers. External interactions are diverse, ranging from local government officials and NGOs to private landowners and business owners. Maintaining a professional and trusted presence with these groups is the cornerstone of the role’s success.

Sustainability Project Manager - Community Engagement

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Key learning opportunities for this job

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

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

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

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

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

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

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

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