Sr. Project Manager, Construction

ABOUT AVANTUS

Avantus develops, owns, and operates utility-scale clean energy projects across California and the Desert Southwest. Our development pipeline represents one of the nation's largest portfolios of solar with integrated storage, capable of providing dispatchable power to 17 million Americans, day and night. With over a decade of industry leadership and strategic investment from KKR and EIG, Avantus delivers affordable, reliable clean energy solutions that meet America’s growing energy demand.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking a highly motivated and organized candidate for the Sr. Project Manager, Construction position. The Sr. Project Manager will demonstrate sound industry knowledge, superior communications, and detail-oriented organizational skills. This role reports to Director, Construction. The successful candidate is responsible for supporting day to day Construction team functions from early-stage development through construction and commercial operation for a portfolio of projects. Along with development support, the Sr. Project Manager supports procurement, construction, management of the engineering and permitting milestones required for project financing and successful construction of the project. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

EPC Contracting:

• Responsible to ensure safety priorities are reflected in the contracting.
• Support EPC procurement from initial bid through EPC Agreement execution.
• Coordinate across functional teams and consultants for the development and negotiation of key project documents for EPC contracting.
• Support overall EPC proposal process, including ownership of overall RFP schedule and accuracy and completeness of EPC responses.
• Work closely with procurement team to ensure equipment packages are coordinated with EPC partners.

Pre-Construction Project Management:

• Coordinate with engineering team on project diligence required by financing processes and independent engineers.
• Manage distribution and review of design and technical submittals from EPC partners to ensure cross functional sign off.

Construction Management:

• Ensure that the site is being constructed with safety as number one priority, being inquisitive about safety issues and safety wins for the site being managed.
• Work independently to identify and avoid/mitigate potential cost impacts and schedule delays are either avoided or mitigated. Lead and provide recommendations for path forward with internal team and executives.
• Act as the day to day project lead representing Avantus
• Maintain project internal accounting database (Cashflow and project details) for accuracy.
• Support Project Director in responding to Project Buyer/equity partner concerns are addressed and resolved in a timely manner.
• Work with Onsite construction managers to understand project status, forecast risk, and identify potential obstacles to projection budget and schedule
• Communicate openly and effectively with all project stakeholders
• Ensure contract compliance with all relevant project agreements.
• Produce and manage project reporting to lenders and sponsors.

Development support for project pipeline:

• Manage coordination between engineering and cost estimating teams, ensuring project constructability and cost-effective solutions are pursued.
• Review project development schedules and ensure that EPC timelines are appropriate.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, cashflows and milestone dates.

Travel

• Travel to the job sites and offices as necessary to complete job duties.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, business, or construction management.
• 5+ years of EPC management and contracting experience, preferably in solar development or utility infrastructure projects.
• Experience working for a utility-scale solar developer or an IPP.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to evaluate priorities and multi-task accordingly while keeping others apprised of status with respect to deadlines
• Ability to identify problems and discrepancies, independently perform research and analysis of causes, and recommend corrective actions
• Ability to work on multiple projects across various design and construction phases.
• Must be detail and results-oriented with an ability to work in a cross-functional, fast paced, and constantly evolving environment as well as extended hours, as required
• Team player to work in concert with the development team, finance team and engineering and procurement teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• The ability to realize/focus toward the big picture under pressure.
• Self-starter. Quick learner. Ability to take on tasks with general directions/guidance.
• Positive and growth-oriented mindset.

NICE TO HAVES

• Scheduling software (Primavera and/or MS Project) experience a plus.

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