OverviewThis position leads the O&M Services function within our Asset Management team, which is responsible for the technical and financial management of a growing portfolio (currently approximately 650 MW) of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects located across the United States. The Director of O&M Services owns the strategy, operating budget, and vendor relationships that keep the fleet safe, available, and performing-partnering closely with the O&M Performance & Optimization, Asset Management, Engineering/EPC, and Project Finance teams. This is a leadership role that sets direction and holds execution accountability rather than performing day-to-day field tasks. This position reports to the VP of Asset Management and manages a small team (1-2 direct reports), including the O&M Manager.
Core Responsibilities- Strategy & fleet performance: Own the strategy and roadmap for the O&M Services function across the operating fleet. Define availability, performance, safety, and cost targets and the plan to achieve them.
- Budget & P&L ownership: Build, own, and manage the annual O&M operating budgets and the O&M P&L. Control fleet O&M spend, track cost-to-resolution and fiscal impact, and report financial and operational performance to Asset Management leadership and ownership.
- Vendor & contract leadership: Lead the negotiation, structuring, and management of O&M service contracts, warranty agreements, and parts/service procurement. Hold third-party O&M providers and subcontractors accountable to scopes of work and service levels.
- Team leadership: Lead and develop the O&M Services team (1-2 direct reports), including the O&M Manager. Set clear success criteria, create space for the team to operate, and build hiring and capability for a growing fleet.
- Set the standard for fleet monitoring, troubleshooting, and work-order management; ensure issues are correctly identified, prioritized, and tracked to resolution with documented fiscal impact.
- Direct spare-parts inventory strategy and supply-chain readiness across the fleet, addressing deficiencies before they affect availability.
- Manage escalations and relationships with equipment suppliers and OEMs to secure warranty support and resolve recurring issues.
- Partner cross-functionally with the O&M Performance & Optimization, Engineering/EPC, and Quality teams; feed O&M lessons learned into future project designs and reviews.
- Own O&M readiness for the commissioning and onboarding of new projects entering the operating fleet.
- Oversee site-services contractors and obligations, including regular and special (habitat) vegetation management; ISO connectivity (CAISO, ERCOT, PJM, etc.) issues; and fencing, gates, security, site access roads, erosion, tree trimming, neighbor relations, and related site activities.
- Establish and maintain reporting standards: scheduled technical operating reports, periodic performance assessments, and budget/variance reporting for management and ownership.
- Regular travel to operating sites is required.
Qualifications and Experience- Minimum of 5 years of experience in solar O&M or operations; utility-scale strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated people-leadership experience, including managing teams and/or third-party service providers.
- Proven ownership of operating budgets and cost/P&L accountability for an operating fleet or comparable function.
- Direct experience negotiating and managing vendor and contract relationships-O&M service agreements, warranties, and parts/service procurement.
- Strong technical grounding across utility-scale PV and BESS systems, including troubleshooting strings/modules, inverters, combiner boxes, feeder lines (direct burial or conduit), racking hardware, tracker motors, actuators, bearings, controllers, sensors, and DAS/SCADA components.
- Experience in the operation and maintenance of battery energy storage systems strongly preferred.
- Excellent communication skills, a high level of organization, and the ability to lead cross-functionally with contractors, suppliers, and internal teams.
- Proficiency with MS Office and web-based monitoring and field-service platforms such as PowerFactors and Salesforce; able to manage department directories and standard business applications.
- Ability to take initiative and operate independently with limited guidance, with a strong desire to build, lead, and grow the function.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field preferred.
Benefits Package- 401(k) plan with company matching contribution
- Competitive health, vision, and dental benefits
- Attractive personal time off and company holiday package
- Work-from-home policy (Oakland, CA headquarters with hybrid/remote flexibility)
- Annual base salary, commensurate with experience, from $200,000 - $225,000
NoteQualified candidates only. No search firms.
