Chief Operating Officer

Clēnera is a tier-one developer and independent power producer located in Boise, Idaho, and a subsidiary of Enlight Renewable Energy (Nasdaq: ENLT). We develop, finance, construct, own, and operate utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities throughout the United States. Clēnera has over 1.5GW of solar and 3.2GWh of storage in operations or construction, and a development pipeline totaling 13.3GW of solar and 32.8GWh of storage across 23 states. Our company culture is at the core of everything we do, so you’ll regularly find Caring, Committed, and Courageous individuals who value respectful, cross-functional collaboration with partners internally and externally. Are you ready to change the world with us?

Clēnera is seeking its next Chief Operating Officer following the Co-Founder & COO’s transition to CEO in 2024. This creates a tremendous opportunity for a new COO to join the executive team and play a key role in shaping the future of clean energy! 

ABOUT THIS ROLE 

The Chief Operating Officer is a critical executive responsible for the overall technical and operational execution of the company’s solar energy projects. As COO, you will play a pivotal role in driving our growth, efficiency, and execution. This role requires deep expertise in engineering and operational effectiveness as well as capabilities in procurement, construction, and asset management in ensuring projects are designed, developed, and managed with efficiency, reliability, and innovation. Clēnera is scaling rapidly, and we need a leader who can scale our operations while keeping the collaborative, mission-driven spirit that defines us. The role is based in Boise, ID. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The COO will lead the Engineering, Construction, Procurement, and Asset Management teams, driving strategic initiatives that enhance project performance, optimize costs, and ensure seamless execution from early-stage development through long-term operations. 

Engineering & Technical Leadership 

• Oversee all engineering aspects of solar project development, ensuring technical feasibility, design optimization, and compliance with industry standards.
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative engineering solutions to improve efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of projects.
• Ensure rigorous technical due diligence in project planning, interconnection, grid integration, and energy yield assessments.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and industry experts to adopt new technologies and enhance project performance. 

Construction Management 

• Oversee negotiations of EPC contracts with third parties, followed by oversight of construction execution, ensuring projects are on time, within budget, and according to quality standards.
• Ensure development and enforcement of robust project controls, risk management strategies, and safety protocols.
• Work closely with project managers and third-party vendors to resolve technical and logistical challenges.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, permitting requirements, and local construction codes. 

Procurement & Supply Chain Optimization 

• Lead procurement strategy for major equipment (modules, inverters, trackers, transformers, etc.), securing optimal pricing, quality, and reliability.
• Develop strong supplier relationships and ensure effective negotiation of long-term agreements to ensure supply chain stability.
• Oversee vendor qualification and contract negotiations to mitigate risks, ensure efficient logistics planning, and enhance project competitiveness. 

Asset Management & Operations 

• Oversee operational performance of commissioned projects, ensuring optimal uptime, energy yield, and financial returns.
• Lead asset management strategies, including O&M (Operations & Maintenance) programs, predictive maintenance, and performance monitoring.
• Ensure data-driven approaches to improve plant performance, reduce downtime, and maximize asset lifecycle value.
• Work closely with finance and analytics teams to track operational KPIs and optimize PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) performance. 

Strategic & Leadership Responsibilities 

• Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with corporate growth objectives and ensure scalability of operations to support the company’s expanding project pipeline.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration that includes engineering, construction, procurement, and asset management teams.
• Provide executive leadership, mentoring, and development to build and enhance a high-performing operations team.  
• Lead with transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence, ensuring the entrepreneurial, lean, and high-energy culture remains intact with organizational growth.
• Key interface with international parent company to include presenting regularly at Board meetings.  Represent the company externally in industry forums, technical conferences, and stakeholder meetings.
• Maintain organizational excellence in terms of project timelines and deliverables.
• Demonstrate the Clēnera Core Values of Caring, Committed, and Courageous.  

KEY QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, operations or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience, including 5+ years in solar energy, power generation, or large-scale infrastructure projects as well as 5+ years in an executive leadership role.
• Extensive technical knowledge of solar energy engineering as well as PV system design, grid interconnection, and energy storage.
• Deep understanding of procurement strategies, supply chain dynamics, and vendor negotiations as well as strong relationship-building skills with vendors and stakeholders.
• Proven experience managing complex EPC contracts, executing large-scale, multi-phase projects, and overseeing asset management and operations of large-scale solar projects preferred.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing capital budgets, project finance structures, and performance optimization.
• Competencies:
  • Ability to align operational execution with corporate growth strategy.
  • Strong analytical skills to resolve engineering, construction, and operational challenges.
  • Exceptional collaborative, communication, and decision-making abilities.
  • Collaborative leadership style conducive to extensive cross-functional relationships as well as developing high-performance teams.
  • Exceptional problem solving and judgment, business acumen, and project management skills. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

• Competitive base salary with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive benefits package including 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, and flexible paid time off. 

ABOUT BOISE, IDAHO 

Boise, also called the Treasure Valley, is one of the best places to live in the U.S. It’s a blend of urban and rural and boasts amazing, four-season weather. Boise is a family-friendly town plus endless opportunities for outdoor adventures nearby.  The Boise Valley consistently ranks among the top 10 locations for business and family in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger’s and Forbes, among others.  In short, Boise’s quality of life will blow you away! 

A few national accolades so far in 2025 include #1 Best Cities for Working Families (Elevate), #23 Fastest Growing Place in the US in 2024-2025 (US News), #20 Most Dynamic Metropolitan Cities (Heartland Forward), plus others!  Boise has also enjoyed the top spot on Time Magazine’s “Cities that get it Right” and top rankings on Forbes’ list of Best Places for Business and Career.   

Browse our highlights and accolades here…Boise Valley Economic Partnership (BVEP): Why Boise   
See some highlights here… Visit Boise and Experience the Unexpected West 

LEARN MORE 

https://www.clenera.com/careers 
jobs@clenera.com 

*Recruiting agencies, we are not currently accepting unsolicited referrals for this or any open role. We will not pay any fee associated with unsolicited referrals unless we have a signed agreement with a particular agency. 

At Clēnera, LLC, we’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by state or federal law.