Job Description Summary:The Director of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Operations & Maintenance Business Line will launch and lead a new service line within the existing O&M organization, expanding capabilities to support utility-scale energy storage assets. This role is responsible for developing the strategy, service offerings, processes, and talent required to grow BESS O&M into a fully integrated business line that complements the broader O&M portfolio.
The Director will work closely with existing Performance Engineering, Compliance, Safety, OTS, Operations Control Center, and Business Development teams to ensure the BESS business line aligns with enterprise standards, supports company-wide goals, and delivers consistent excellence across all storage assets.
This role can be fully remote or hybrid, with regular in-office presence in San Diego, CA, or Sacramento, CA. Specific location details and expectations will be discussed during the interview process.
Job Description:*This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned
Position Responsibilities and Duties:Strategic & Entrepreneurial Leadership- Establish and grow a new BESS O&M business line within the current O&M structure, including defining vision, objectives, operating models, and service offerings.
- Drive strategic planning for product development, operational capability growth, technology adoption, and long-term expansion of BESS services.
- Develop pricing strategies, value propositions, service scopes, and commercial frameworks aligned with enterprise O&M standards.
- Partner with Business Development to evaluate market opportunities, assess customer needs, and support proposals and negotiations with OEMs and asset owners.
Cross-Functional Integration- Ensure the BESS service line integrates seamlessly into the broader O&M organization's processes, governance, and performance expectations.
- Collaborate with Performance Engineering on KPI modeling, analytics, and performance optimization specific to BESS assets.
- Work with the Compliance Team to ensure BESS-specific NERC, NFPA, and environmental compliance.
- Partner with the Safety Team to extend enterprise safety programs, JHAs, and field protocols into the storage business line.
- Coordinate with SCADA on data pipeline requirements, alarm strategy, remote-access standards, and monitoring capabilities.
- Align with the Control Center to integrate BESS dispatch practices, outage response protocols, and real-time situational awareness.
Operational Leadership & Delivery- Oversee operational execution of the BESS O&M service line, ensuring high availability, safety performance, and contractual compliance.
- Lead maintenance planning, outage coordination, troubleshooting support, and operational readiness for new BESS sites onboarding into the portfolio.
- Build and standardize BESS-specific operating procedures, commissioning acceptance criteria, and maintenance standards.
Team & Capability Development- Build and lead a BESS-focused team within the O&M organization, identifying skill needs, recruiting talent, and developing technical competencies.
- Establish training programs, performance expectations, and workforce development pathways for BESS operations team members.
- Foster a culture of innovation, safety leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Risk, Safety & Compliance Management- Implement BESS-specific risk management approaches, including failure mode reviews, emergency response protocols, and operational risk dashboards.
- Ensure all BESS activities meet corporate safety expectations and regulatory requirements.
- Lead incident reviews, lessons learned integration, and process improvements across the BESS business line.
Vendor, OEM & Contract Management- Manage OEM partnerships, long-term service agreements, and warranty structures for BESS assets supported by the O&M organization.
- Evaluate third-party service providers and establish performance criteria for BESS maintenance partners.
- Support Business Development and Legal in negotiating scopes, SLAs, warranties, and technical requirements.
Financial & Portfolio Management- Develop budgets, forecasting models, and financial plans for the BESS business line.
- Coordinate with Asset Management on revenue optimization, warranty claim strategies, degradation analyses, and lifecycle cost planning.
- Provide executive-level reporting on BESS operational performance, risks, and strategic initiatives.
Minimum Skills or Experience Requirements:- 8+ years in utility-scale energy operations with at least 3 years in leadership roles.
- Demonstrated experience starting or scaling a new team, division, or operational function.
- Expertise in BESS technologies, power electronics, SCADA systems, and grid-connected assets.
- Proven track record managing multisite operations and complex technical teams.
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, energy systems, or a related technical field.
- Experience with hybrid renewable + storage assets.
- Background in reliability engineering, asset management, or performance analytics.
- Experience in entrepreneurial environments, startups, or rapid scale operations.
Key Competencies
- Entrepreneurial mindset within a structured organization
- Strategic planning and business line development
- Ability to integrate new capabilities into established operational frameworks
- Cross-functional collaboration skills
- Deep technical understanding of BESS operations
- Contract negotiation and commercial acumen
- Talent development and leadership
- Risk and compliance governance
- Continuous improvement and operational excellence
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future.
Benefits:Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance. Employees can enroll in our company's 401(k) plan and are provided vacation, sick and holiday pay.
Compensation Range:$172,025.00 - $215,032.00
Pay Rate Type:Salary
Job Number: J12900If you're interested in a meaningful career with a brighter future, join the SOLV Energy Team. 
