Director, Project Management (WECC)
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AES Clean Energy is currently seeking a Director of Project Management to oversee a team of Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and Associate Project Managers for the execution of utility scale, solar, battery, and high voltage construction projects. This leadership position will provide team leadership, process improvements, stakeholder management, strategic planning, and grow a high functioning team necessary to safely and reliably execute our renewable energy projects in support of our growth strategy.
We are seeking a candidate with a strong background in the renewable energy generation sector, including experience in team leadership, construction contracts, project implementation and commissioning, utility interconnections, collaborating with a diverse team, and achieving challenging growth targets and project deadlines. Reporting to the Vice President of Project Management (West) will be a key aspect of this role.
Key Responsibilities:
People Management: Develop and supervise a team of Project Managers and third-party contractors to implement the construction of solar and battery power projects and related substations.
Lead the Project Management team’s support of the Project Due Diligence process for projects being pursued in development.
Lead the Project Management team’s coordination of commissioning activities in support of utility witness testing and plant performance testing.
Lead the Project Management team’s transfer of projects from the Construction and Commissioning phase to the Asset Operations team for long-term plant operations.
Ensure the company's projects are completed in a timely manner and within budget. Coordinate project financing transactions and timing with project execution schedules. Provide executive reports on project portfolio statuses, including budget, schedule, resource usage, and risk assessments.
EPC Selection and Contract Negotiations: Optimize and maintain a qualified list of EPC contractors for utility scale project execution. Support and lead contract negotiations, exhibit management, and coordination with EPC contractors and OEM vendors. Oversee contract execution for construction management, EPC, and OEM.
Conduct periodic on-site inspections for quality, safety, and overall execution oversight, directing in-house and 3rd party construction teams. Engage with local stakeholders (permitting agencies, government entities, contractors, landowners, PPA off-takers/customers, utilities, vendors, etc.) as needed to ensure the successful completion of projects
Coordinate with the Business Development team to support project planning, risk assessments, budgeting, scheduling, and resource planning for AES’s renewable energy projects.
Ensure the smooth implementation and improvement of procedures, standards, and processes for project planning and execution, scheduling, budgeting, document management, construction completion tracking, reporting on important metrics, and providing support for project tax equity and debt funding.
Stakeholder Management: provide leadership for interactions with contractors, landowners, customers, suppliers, governmental authorities, electric utilities, and other project stakeholders as appropriate as a representative of AES and its interests.
Build robust relationships with construction contractors, local vendors, and suppliers, to grow the company’s execution capabilities and improve project efficiencies and costs.
Lead the coordination of construction planning, resource management, project execution, safety and environmental compliance, and quality control programs, in collaboration with company EHS resources.
Leadership in implementing standard methodologies and managing the transition of projects from post-commercial operations to long-term operations with the AES Asset Management team.
Establish processes for the Project Management team to coordinate utility interconnection in support of the AES Interconnection team.
Support for Technical Project Due Diligence.
Set and oversee important metrics for project management. Generate executive level reports on performance, indicating risks and suggesting improvements for better execution.
Lead the development and implementation of a growth strategy to expand the capabilities of the project management team.
Manage projects when project pipeline is small and there are fewer project managers to oversee.
Key Requirements:
10-15 years of experience in energy generation construction, including 7 years in battery or solar construction, and 2-5 years in people/team management.
A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Construction, or a related field is required, while a graduate degree in engineering, business, construction or a related field is preferred. Equivalent experience will also be considered.
Experience in battery, solar, or high voltage construction oversight and commissioning coordination required.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate and negotiate EPC and other service provider contractual agreements; experience with renewable energy PPA’s, strongly preferred.
Ability to build effective internal and external relationships and lead a team of project managers with variable remote presence across multiple time zones.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including collaborator and vendor management, and ability to maintain professional and effective exchanges with counterparts.
Able to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, leading project execution on a large portfolio of high impact projects simultaneously in support of company goals.
Excellent organizational, project, planning & time management skills.
Proficiency in establishing and managing key performance indicators (KPI's) in the construction field.
Ability to work under pressure in a calm, professional manner to meet deadlines.
Safety training relevant to solar and battery storage construction and commissioning.
Demonstrates alignment with AES Values.
Strong computer and analytical skills, proficient with MS Office suite, QuickBase, Box, and Procore.
Willingness to travel up to 35%.
PMI® PMP Certification a plus.
Spanish language skills a plus.
Resides in Mountain or Pacific Time Zones a plus.