Sr. Manager, Execution Management

ABOUT AVANTUS

Avantus is shaping the future by making reliable, low-cost clean energy a global reality. Our legacy of leadership in next generation solar energy includes developing one of the nation’s largest solar clusters and one of the first projects to beat fossil fuel prices back in 2016. Today, we are expanding the boundaries of existing technologies to build one of the largest portfolios of smart power plants with integrated storage, capable of providing millions of people with affordable, zero-emission energy – day and night. Through our relentless pursuit of better, we are decarbonizing our planet at the gigaton level, and bringing the advantages of clean energy to all of us.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Sr. Manager, Execution Management (“Sr. EM”) is a pivotal role responsible for driving cross-functional collaboration and operational excellence throughout the project lifecycle, from offtake negotiations, execution of the major procurement & service agreements, and all other functions up through mobilizing of construction. This position demands a strategic mindset and a deep understanding of project execution to ensure seamless integration of development, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) functions. The Sr. Manager, Execution Management will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to optimize project schedules, manage cash flow, and mitigate risks, ultimately contributing to the project's overall success. Travel for internal team collaboration is expected once per quarter, generally within California.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Strategic Planning and Initiation:  
  • Actively participate in the project strategy development phase, providing execution-focused insights and contributing to the creation of critical path schedules and cash flow assumptions. 
  • Assume a leadership position of the project upon offtake, the Sr. EM aligns cross-functional teams around project objectives and timelines, develops and implements comprehensive strategy sessions, execution plans, including tailoring detailed project schedules, aligning on equipment assumptions, and ensuring stakeholders are aligned on development and execution requirements, risks, and opportunities.  

• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Execution: 
  • Foster a collaborative environment among engineering, procurement, and construction teams to ensure alignment of project scope, schedule, and budget. 
  • Oversee the development and management of the project schedule, while having subject matter experts provide inputs, including identifying and resolving dependencies and critical path activities. 
  • Conduct regular project status reviews, identifying potential risks and opportunities, and developing mitigation plans.  

• Financial Management and Reporting: 
  • Maintain accurate project budgets and forecasts by regularly seeking input from SMEs and project stakeholders. 
    • Monitor project expenditures and works with stakeholders to identify cost-saving opportunities. 
    • Oversee project cash flow forecasting by coordinating among SMEs, ensuring that financial reporting aligns with project schedule requirements.    

• Team Leadership and Development: 
  • Build and maintains strong relationships with internal stakeholders. 
  • Foster a culture of innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement.  

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven Project Management Expertise: Minimum 5 years of cross-functional project management, with at least 3 years specifically in utility-scale renewable energy project development and construction. 
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of project accounting and the ability to construct execution-focused cash flows and financial liability schedules. 
• Strategic Thinking and Communication: Proven ability to synthesize complex information from multiple stakeholders, pursue ideal project strategies, and effectively communicate recommendations to senior leadership. 
• Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated ability to manage project costs, timelines, and external dependencies while mitigating risks and maximizing opportunities. 
• Technical Proficiency: Basic understanding of project scheduling, including the interrelationships between photovoltaic, high-voltage, and battery energy storage system milestones. 
• Leadership and Teamwork: Proven ability to coordinate and collaborate with cross-functional teams, drive consensus, and achieve results in a fast-paced environment. 
• Problem-Solving and Initiative: Demonstrated ability to identify and address complex challenges, prioritize tasks, and deliver high-quality results with light supervision. 
• Attention to Detail and Ownership: Detail-oriented with a strong sense of personal responsibility and ownership of work product. 
• Technical Proficiency: Highly proficient in MS Excel, Project, Word, PowerPoint, P6, and SmartSheets.  
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with utility-scale EPC contracting and execution, major equipment procurement, technology risks, bankability, project financing processes, sale activities, due diligence, CapEx models, and general project lifecycle engineering activities.  

NICE TO HAVES  

• Procurement and Supply Chain Management: Demonstrated expertise in the procurement of EPC Balance of Plant services and major equipment. A proven track record of successful contract negotiation and supply chain management. 
• Technical Proficiency: An understanding of inverter and battery technology, including their applications, performance characteristics, and integration into renewable energy systems. 
• Project Management Certification: Possession of a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or an equivalent formal project management qualification. 
• Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related field, providing a strong foundation in technical principles and problem-solving.  

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