Vice President of Operations & Asset Management will serve as the senior leader responsible for operational strategy, asset performance, and portfolio value creation for a growing natural-gas-fired generation business. This business unit is in an expansion phase-actively developing new power plants and evaluating existing assets across North America. This VP will lead a lean, high-impact team with broad cross-functional influence in engineering, project development, construction, commercial operations, finance, and regulatory. The executive will ensure operational excellence, optimize financial performance, and oversee the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of all generation assets, from greenfield development through commissioning and long-term operations.
Role Responsibilities:- Strategic Leadership & Business Growth
- Lead a small direct team while influencing a broad network of cross-functional contributors, including engineering, commercial operations, HSE, procurement, finance, and regulatory affairs
- Build a high-performing culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning
- Develop and execute the operational strategy for a growing portfolio of natural-gas-fired generation assets, including new builds and acquisitions
- Establish the operating model, processes, and systems required to scale a high-performing asset management and operations function
- Provide operational due diligence, value assessments, and integration planning for asset acquisitions
- Partner with Development, Construction, and Commercial teams to ensure seamless handoffs from concept through COD and into steady-state operations
- Represent the Operations & Asset Management organization with executive leadership, investors, external partners, and regulatory bodies
- Asset Management & Portfolio Optimization
- Own the financial and operational performance of the asset portfolio, including revenue optimization, cost discipline, and long-term value maximization
- Implement asset management systems and tools that support data-driven decision-making and operational transparency
- Lead the development and execution of annual business plans, O&M strategies, performance forecasts, and long-term capital plans
- Ensure all assets are managed in alignment with budget, internal controls, contractual obligations, and market expectations
- Drive performance improvements using data, analytics, benchmarking, and continuous-improvement methodologies
- Operations Leadership
- Oversee safe, reliable, efficient operations across all flexible generation assets
- Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all HSE policies, NERC/ERCOT/ISO requirements, environmental permits, and regulatory standards
- Manage operational readiness, commissioning oversight, and transition-to-operations for newly developed facilities
- Optimize maintenance strategies (preventive, predictive, and corrective) to maximize availability and minimize forced outages
- Commercial & Contract Management
- Oversee key commercial and contractual arrangements across the asset portfolio, including fuel supply, O&M contracts, LTSA agreements, and commercial obligations in partnership with the Commercial Optimization functions
- Support bid strategies, PPA negotiations, and risk assessments in collaboration with Commercial Optimization and Legal teams
- Monitor market conditions, regulatory changes, and commercial opportunities to inform asset strategy
Job Requirements and Experience: - Minimum 12 years of experience in power generation operations, asset management, or heavy-industrial energy operations; significant natural-gas-fired generation experience required
- Demonstrated leadership of multi-site operations or large-scale power portfolios
- Proven ability to build and scale asset management or operations processes in a growth-phase or transformational environment
- Strong understanding of relevant regulatory frameworks (e.g., FERC, NERC, regional ISOs/RTOs)
- Experience managing financial performance, budgets, capital planning, and operational KPIs
- Hands-on experience with contract negotiation and management (e.g., O&M, LTSA, fuel, EPC)
- Ability to lead through influence, manage indirect cross-functional teams, and collaborate across a matrixed organization
- Experience with M&A due diligence and post-acquisition integration
- Background in both operating assets and supporting greenfield project development
- Familiarity with asset optimization strategies for merchant or partially merchant gas portfolios
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Finance, Economics, or related field required. Advanced degree (MBA or engineering discipline) preferred
- Mobility: Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of the time
Pay range: The annual base salary range for this position in Illinois is $174,000 - $280,000. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.
Apply with just a few clicks: ad code
93554. Any questions?
Contact HR: rwe_americas_recruiting@rwe.com
Yes
