Director, Construction

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 Director, Construction role is responsible for leading the day-to-day EPC team functions from start of construction through commercial operation for a portfolio of complex projects.  The Director is responsible for the overall successful construction of the projects.  The Director will manage Project Managers reporting to them. Additionally, the Director, Construction will provide guidance on construction schedules on early-stage projects ensuring Avantus commits to achievable objectives from the construction perspective. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Construction Management:  

• Overall commercial lead during the development, engineering, and construction of a complex portfolio of projects that includes battery storage stations, PV fields and/or high voltage work from the construction perspective.
• Develops strategy with the project team to support company, project, and client goals on portfolio.  
• Prepare and present polished presentations to executives for major stage gates and risk review or work with assigned Directors and Managers to develop said presentations which align with internal company standards and governance structures.
• Develop strategy for needs of internal support team for each project within this Sr. Directors portfolio: direct-report Project Directors, Project Managers, external consultants, and cross-functional team members.  
• Align portfolio processes with internal project controls, control cost, cash flow, and schedule.
• Be key point of contact in relationships with EPCs, equity partners, and other key counterparties involved in the projects that are within this role’s scope.
• Manage Owner Furnished Equipment deliveries and connections to other project-level contracts and ensure team follows internal processes and procedures from our procurement contracts.
• Manage commissioning of PV + solar projects to ensure the project is successfully meeting milestones in LGIA, PPA, and financing agreements.  
• Lead negotiation and execution of all change orders, amendments, and consultant contracts during construction.  
• Ensure team compliance with internal processes and develop new processes to help standardize internal approach.  
• Develop and maintain project budgets, cashflows and milestone dates in internal reporting tools.  
• Coordinate with Pre-Construction team on transition from contracts executed.
• Provide feedback and lessons learned on contract terms and exhibits.  
• Work with preconstruction and execution management teams to ensure seamless transitions.
• Support Preconstruction team through RFP review, construability review, and budget/schedule input.  
• Work closely with procurement team to ensure equipment packages are coordinated with EPC partners.  
• Ensure contractors and consultants provide key technical deliverables for permitting efforts and financing processes.  
• Manage LNTP scope onsite before full start of construction.  
• Coordinate with internal team on project diligence answers during financing processes.
• Support on early-stage projects, bringing strategic project management and construction management to early-stage project decisions.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Project Managers, Directors and other junior team members.
• Manage multiple projects on different phases of development and construction at the same time.
• Lead project managers working on portfolio of projects that this Sr. Director is responsible for. 

Preconstruction Support:  

• Coordinate with Pre-Construction team 
• Provide feedback and lessons learned on contract terms and exhibits.
• Support Preconstruction team through RFP review, construability review, and budget/schedule input.  
• Work closely with procurement team to ensure equipment packages are coordinated with EPC partners.  
• Ensure contractors and consultants provide key technical deliverables for permitting efforts and financing processes.  
• Manage LNTP scope onsite before full start of construction.  
• Coordinate with internal team on project diligence answers during financing processes. 

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, engineering, environmental science, law or construction management
• 10+ years of experience in Project Management/Development/Construction/Engineering/Legal, preferably in solar development or utility infrastructure projects.
• Experience with a solar developer preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to evaluate priorities and multi-task accordingly while keeping others apprised of status with respect to deadlines
• Ability to identify problems and discrepancies, independently perform research and analysis of causes, and recommend corrective actions
• Ability to work on multiple projects across various design and construction phases.
• Must be detail and results-oriented with an ability to work in a cross-functional, fast paced, and constantly evolving environment as well as extended hours, as required
• Team player to work in concert with the development team, finance team and engineering and procurement teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Schedule software (MS Project) experience a plus. 

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