Sol Systems is seeking an experienced professional to serve as Preconstruction Director in our Washington, DC headquarters. This position will reside within the Operations department and the utility scale development business. The Preconstruction Director will be responsible for leading the Preconstruction Team that collaborates with internal teams and external partners to successfully and accurately lead the transition of late-stage development assets through the contracting phase and ultimately to the construction phase. This role will work directly with project origination, development, engineering, procurement, construction, financial modeling, structured finance, and sales to appropriately plan, scope, and prepare projects for success. This individual will take a leading role in engaging the solar industry, construction contractors, material vendors and service providers and identifying key partners for Sol Systems projects.
Sol Systems is a leading solar energy firm based in Washington, DC, dedicated to building a more sustainable future. Founded in 2008, the company deploys renewable energy infrastructure across the United States, with a specific focus on ensuring that these projects have a positive economic impact on the communities in which they operate. The company has financed or developed over $2 billion of solar energy assets to date. We work with some of the largest corporations in the world to achieve a carbon-free and sustainable future.
Sol has been founder-lead throughout its 15 years of operations, and is backed by KKR, one of the largest private equity firms in the world.
Key Responsibilities:
- EPC Business Development - Collaborate and lead EPC Contractor business development to maintain actionable market intelligence on US project supply and contractor demand, labor supply/demand/pricing, and contractor project history/geography distribution, performance, and financial health.
- EPC Procurement Strategy - Collaborate and lead to maintain EPC Contractor procurement strategy with a mix of i) repeat/bilateral partners to optimize transaction cost/schedule and ii) market bidding to maintain market intelligence and competitive pricing.
- Project Schedules - Understand and maintain EPC market schedule drivers to lead Preconstruction team on schedule analysis. Collaborate with Procurement to maintain knowledge of High Voltage (HV) EPC market and HV equipment and other long-lead equipment providers (GSU, breakers, inverters) to support project schedule understanding and guidance.
- Price/Schedule Estimating - Establish a robust pricing and schedule estimating process for projects in origination and early development. Progress project pricing and schedule accuracy through market data as the asset progresses through development.
- Bid Strategy/Execution - Create bid strategies based on robust contract market knowledge to ensure we pursue and provide bidding opportunities to the right contractors. Lead Preconstruction team through bid preparation, administration, evaluation and normalization, award, and EPCA negotiation.
- Scope Definition - Manage Preconstruction team to understand and align project site conditions, Development land, community, and permitting requirements, designs, contractor scope, technical specification requirements, and construction feasibility. Identify and mitigate construction cost/schedule risks to optimize project economics and execution.
- Proposal Evaluation - Use relevant and applicable market pricing knowledge to guide Preconstruction team on scope/pricing normalization efforts. Understand differences between project-specific and market-driven price drivers.
- EPCA Negotiation – Understand, maintain, and apply market terms for utility scale solar commercial EPCA risk delineation between Owner and Contractor. Create and execute EPCA negotiation schedule that balances risk probability and impact against financing and construction schedule demands and resulting capital deployment impacts.
- LNTP Management – Understand and drive capital management during the EPCA award to execution period by managing schedules to minimize procurement capital outlay and liability. Guide Preconstruction team to administer LNTP engineering and procurement scope, schedule, budget, invoicing, and cash flow management.
Education and Experience:
- BS or MS degree in Engineering or Construction Management or related field or equivalent trade experience;
- 8+ years of project management, contracting, and estimating experience, or equivalent combination of experience.
- Prior experience working within a solar development or EPC company in the US market
- Knowledge of PV building construction, materials, systems, market conditions and trade practices.
- Extensive and broad knowledge of relevant codes, standards, construction practices and engineering principles required to construct a renewable energy plant.
- Experienced with estimating software like Accubid, scheduling software like MS Project or Primavera, and Microsoft Office
- Proven track record of purchasing success in the construction industry
A successful candidate will possess the following competencies, skills and attributes:
- Strong organizational, leadership, interpersonal communication and management skills.
- Highly motivated, self-starter, ability to work well with others and be an enthusiastic team player
- Experienced in contract negotiations and understanding of commercial terms and outcomes that alleviate execution risks
- Ability to research and network within the solar and construction industry and build relationships and partnerships for the company
Location & Hours:
This is a full-time role and will be based in our Washington, DC office.
Commitment & Compensation:
Compensation will be commensurate with experience. In addition, Sol Systems provides health insurance, retirement benefits, partial gym reimbursement, education benefits, parental leave, paid vacation, sick and federal holidays, and the opportunity to work in a unique and dynamic environment.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume, cover letter and salary requirements. Applicants that are missing items from this list will not be considered.
Sol Systems is an equal-opportunity employer, and does not discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, orientation, creed, or other trait. Sol Systems supports and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
