Operations Director - Utility-Scale Solar PV - Berkshire

Director of Operations - Utility-scale Solar & BESS
Berkshire - Hybrid
Salary & benefits will be summarised on initial enquiry

*Must have 5+ years of experience delivering utility-scale solar PV projects in the UK*

MDE Consultants are supporting one of the largest solar developers in the UK to expand their senior management team. After heavy investment and approval of a series of projects, they are gearing up to deploy a pipeline whose size is yet to be seen in the UK. The company fosters a collaborative and autonomous environment, is driven by a passion for renewables and already has a wealth of experience developing projects across the globe.

Our client is a trusted Development, Engineering, Procurement and Construction Company (DEPC) with a proven track record of developing, designing, building, and maintaining utility-scale renewables projects in the UK for over 10 years. The specialism is in solar and battery storage developments in a cradle-to-grave process as best explained below:

• The creation of fully developed solar and storage project rights, from pre-development partnerships (landowner engagement) to consenting shovel-ready assets through to full project and delivery operations (build and operations). Carrying out all construction elements in-house.
• Obtaining Development Consent Orders (DCOs) within the very stringent Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) process.
• Local, regional, and national consenting approvals for renewable energy projects (solar farms embedded with battery storage and other renewables technologies)
• Complete utility-scale grid interconnection agreements (DNO and National Grid)
• Credible Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), that are bankable and easy to transact
• Funding partnerships both institutional and private, allow for all aspects of the development and building phase
• Finalising all legal and local, certifications to obtain relevant tax credits, subsidies, and incentives within the UK

Key Accountabilities

• Responsible to the Board of Directors or such Managing Director appointed by the Board.
• Oversee all business operations across the company, including construction, financial and back-office functions.
• Ensure the successful day-to-day running of several construction sites & operational sites during the warranty period.
• Responsible for budget management and on-target budget delivery of individual construction projects
• Being a member of the UK Executive Management team to help lead the business, manage risk, and develop sustainable strategies for future success.
• Matrix management with liaison with the significant support team from majority shareholders in Europe.
• Manage a team of an in-house staff of between 5 and 10 employees and remotely manage via relevant site manager constructions teams during the building programme in partnership with our partner.
• You will have responsibility for Operations & Construction activities, H&S, Project Management, financial records & forecasts, ensuring the smooth, safe & profitable running of the sites whilst maximising levels of customer satisfaction & Environmental compliance. Note a separate CFO will run the technical finance operations so this is not the specific responsibility of the Operations Director.
• Manage and deliver complex projects by developing the project team, assessing engagement risks throughout, driving conclusions, and reviewing/challenging the output produced by the team.
• Establishing operational tasks, policies, and procedures for the company.
• Upholding company policies and values while always leading by example.

The Person

• An experienced operations director with strong experience and track record of commercial acumen, leading teams, and developing long-lasting client relationships
• They will have a track record of successfully engaging with senior-level stakeholders and managing teams to deliver high-level results.
• Excellent client handling skills and track record of being able to operate at the Board / Exec level, viewed by clients as an expert in this field
• Have extensive Operations and transformation experience within engineering preferably with expertise in large-scale ground-mounted solar installations, or other relevant large-scale renewable energy projects.
• Strong change and people leadership skills, and an exemplary track record in providing client satisfaction
• A strong team player with empathy, humility and dedication to joint success and shared development, who supports the development of our people and the capability
• Have demonstrable shifting of working outside of own comfort zone to deliver emerging or complex engagements
• Educated to at least a degree level in an engineering or business subject
• Spanish language skills would be beneficial