Director, 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 Director, Construction position. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound industry knowledge, superior communications, and detail-oriented organizational skills. This role reports to VP, Construction.

The Director, Construction role is responsible for leading the day-to-day EPC team functions from design through commercial operation for a portfolio of projects.  The Project Director is responsible for the overall successful construction of the projects.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Construction Management:

• Overall commercial lead during the construction of a portfolio of projects.
• Provide strategic analysis and direction to internal team to support company goals on portfolio. 
• Prepare and present polished presentations to executives for major stage gates and risk review
• Manage the internal support team for each project: direct-report Project Managers, external consultants, and cross-functional team members. 
• Proactively control cost, cash flow, and schedule through risk mitigation and change order negotiation.  
• Manage relationships with EPCs, equity partners, and other key counterparties.
• Manage Owner Furnished Equipment deliveries and connections to other project-level contracts.
• Manage commissioning of PV + solar projects to ensure the project is successfully meeting milestones in LGIA, PPA, and financing agreements.  
• Lead negotiation and execution of all change orders, amendments, and consultant contracts during construction. 
• Ensure team compliance with internal processes and develop new processes to help standardize internal approach. 
• Develop and maintain project budgets, cashflows, and milestone dates in internal reporting tools. 

Pre-construction Support: 

• Provide feedback and lessons learned on contract terms and exhibits.
• Support Pre-construction team through RFP review, constructibility review, and budget/schedule input.  
• Work closely with procurement team to ensure equipment packages are coordinated with EPC partners. 
• Ensure contractors and consultants provide key technical deliverables for permitting efforts and financing processes. 
• Manage EPC scope execution before full start of construction (design, early site work, long-lead procurement). 
• Coordinate with internal team on diligence during financing.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, engineering, environmental science, law or construction management.
• 10+ years of experience in construction project management in solar development or utility infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and mentor a lean team. 
• Experience with a solar developer or IPP preferred.
• 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.
• Strong team player skills 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. Schedule software such as MS Project or Sitetracker experience a plus.

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