Description

Title: Senior Director of Preconstruction
Department: Estimation/Preconstruction
Location: Houston, T X
Supervisor: VP of Proposals

FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent; Full-time

Work Status : Remote

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PRECONSTRUCTION

SUMMARY

The Sr. Director of Preconstruction will lead the internal Preconstruction Team and play a vital role in advancing the company's vision of becoming the leading solar solutions provider in the Americas. As a key member of the EPC management team, the Director will draw upon a strong construction and engineering background, along with direct industry experience, to lead all preconstruction and estimating efforts in support of successful self-perform, megawatt-scale, ground-mount PV and ESS power plant projects.

The Sr. Director will also build, mentor, and lead a large, diverse, cross-functional team located throughout the Americas, while overseeing a broad network of suppliers and partners. The Sr. Director will report to the VP of P roposal s, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate . This position is remote , reporting to the Houston o ffice and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. Overtime and weekend working hours may be required as needed. This position is expected to travel up to 30 %.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time .

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Project Initiation & Planning

• Lead the initial project kick-off meetings, defining clear objectives, scope, and deliverables for the preconstruction phase
• Define resource requirements for preconstruction activities
• Establish clear communication protocols and a communication management plan
• Create alignment with all stakeholders on project goals and expectations.

• Team Leadership & Coordination

• Manage teams, act as a facilitator, trainer, communicator, and motivation
• Foster cross-functional collaboration by bringing together individuals from Estimation, Contracts, Permitting, and Engineering to work towards common project goals
• Lead regular team meetings to review progress, address roadblocks, and ensure alignment
• Mentor and coach team members to foster their professional growth and development, providing regular feedback and opportunities for skill enhancement.
• Serve as a mediator in resolving conflicts or disputes within the preconstruction team or with external stakeholders, fostering positive working relationships and maintaining project momentum.
• Champion a culture of safety within the preconstruction team and across project sites, emphasizing the importance of safety protocols, training, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Lead with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to ethical business practices, serving as a role model for the team and upholding the company's values and culture.

• Risk Management

• Implement a systematic process for identifying, evaluating, and addressing potential risks specific to the preconstruction phase
• Collaborate with the team to assess impact of identified risks
• Develop and plan appropriate responses and mitigation strategies for risks

• Stakeholder Management & Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and internal executive stakeholders regarding preconstruction progress and critical decisions
• Prepare and deliver accurate and timely project status reports, highlighting key metrics, accomplishments, and challenges
• Facilitate collaborative brainstorming processes to address challenges and setbacks, bringing together necessary stakeholders to identify viable solutions
• Manage expectations with clients to ensure project success while forging lasting relationships with the client to promote repeat business.

• Process Adherence & Improvement

• Oversee all preconstruction activities from project inception to award, ensuring alignment with project goals, timelines, and budgetary constraints.
• Ensure adherence to established SOPs for all preconstruction activities
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and contribute to the refinement of preconstruction methodologies
• Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in preconstruction and project management, sharing knowledge and insights with the team to drive innovation and improvement.

• Departmental Management

• Manage an extensive pipeline of PV solar and ESS projects from a diverse portfolio of internal developed and third-party clients.
• Lead the team through organizational changes, ensuring smooth transitions and effective adaptation to new processes, technologies, and project requirements.
• Make strategic decisions regarding resource allocation, project prioritization, and risk management, leveraging expertise and input from the preconstruction team and other key stakeholders.
• Identify and develop future leaders within the preconstruction team, creating opportunities for advancement and succession planning to ensure continuity of leadership and talent within the organization.
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 1 5 years of experience in engineering or construction ;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in solar development ;
• Extensive track record of successfully designing and building large scale solar power plants preferably in the Americas, and a demonstrated track record of delivering results ;
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of all phases of the renewables power plant development, including engineering, procurement, and construction and project management ;
• Experience working with project developers and understanding of the RFP process ;
• Have insight to highlight key risk factors and provide and deliver best EPC cost estimates ;
• Solid experience with current solar EPC tools and processes, and remain current on best practices and trends in the industry ;
• Demonstrated track record of initiating programs that lead to significant cost reduction and/or performance improvement ;
• Ability to manage and lead large technical organizations, including significant experience managing numerous suppliers and contractors ;
• Capability to interact with leadership cross-culturally, both within and outside the organization ;
• Have both long-term strategic perspective and near-term action orientation, strong desire to continuously improve and push limits ;
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills ;
• Strong team player with high degree of professionalism in which one conducts self at all times ;
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally ;

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or another related field is preferred;
• Graduate degree in engineering or another related field is highly preferred;
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred;
• Understanding of solar module manufacturing and O&M experience is a plus;

EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
• Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
• Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
• Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
• Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
• Travel: u p to 3 0 % as needed

EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regular professional, office business setting
• Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
• Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)
• Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department