Role Summary/Purpose: The VP / Sr. Director of Acquisition Operations will serve a vital role supporting our growing project acquisition efforts whereby DSD purchases projects in various stages of development or construction for long term ownership and operation. This is a highly visible, senior position in the organization with broad authority to determine and execute on the technical strategy for asset acquisitions. A successful candidate will coordinate internal and external resources primarily across the Engineering, Development, and Construction areas of expertise to successfully complete both initial due diligence and fatal flaw analysis on projects DSD is looking to acquire. In addition this position will be responsible for vetting and negotiating contracts with potential 3rd party EPC partners. The position requires close coordination with the VP of Asset Acquisitions. This role will serve on the Asset Acquisition Team but will report directly to the COO serving as the technical and operational counterpart to those leading the origination and financial analysis effort. The candidate for this role will be a collaborative team player with exceptional communication and leadership skills, with a deep understanding of both project development and construction of all types of behind-the-meter and in-front of the meter solar projects. They must have the confidence to make critical decisions autonomously while being responsible for projects in various stages of analysis and negotiation with a hands-on approach.
Remote working options available.
Essential Responsibilities: As the VP / Sr. Director of Acquisition Operations, you will focus on the following:
· Serve as the technical lead on evaluating new asset acquisition opportunities, initially drawing heavily on your industry experience of what it is required to make a successful project from an engineering, development, and construction perspective.
· For projects that are not under exclusivity, knowing when it is appropriate, and with a focus on minimizing the effort required from them, you will guide and obtain feedback from other relevant members of the various Operations teams to answer questions, verify information, or confirm alternate strategies that you cannot otherwise develop yourself.
· For projects post exclusivity, you will manage the technical due diligence process by either calling on internal resources that have been assigned, or with the help of independent engineering firms as necessary.
· You will serve as the lead negotiator of the EPC contract accompanying the closing of the acquisition as is most often the case, with support from the Legal team and the Construction PM as it relates to the Scope of Work.
· For those projects where a third party EPC is not already a party to the transaction, you will work with the assigned Construction PM to select suitable EPC contractors, develop the scope, obtain pricing, and negotiate an executable EPC contract.
· Once executed you will complete a formal hand-off of the EPC Contract to the Operations team members providing oversight as you move on to other active projects under evaluation or negotiation.
· Maintain reporting and communications on project status internally to inform long range planning and critical path activities required to achieve company objectives.
Qualifications/Requirements/Desired Characteristics
· 10+ years of experience in development and construction of commercial or utility scale solar projects, general contracting, or real estate development industries.
· 5+ years of experience with third party EPC contract negotiation
· Deep industry knowledge of common issues and best practices associated with equipment selection, permitting, interconnection, and site conditions such as those that are environmental, geotechnical, structural, or civil in nature.
· Exceptional and concise communication skills.
· Demonstrated computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
· Project management or other experience in power generation industries
About Us
Distributed Solar Development, a GE Renewable Energy venture, is part of the evolution to cleaner, secure, more customer-focused energy. From analysis, through design and finance, to commercial operation, DSD provides customized turnkey PV energy and energy storage solutions to businesses, enterprises, institutions and municipalities throughout North America. Headquartered in Schenectady, NY with a team spanning across the United States, we leverage our unmatched market expertise to deliver exceptional customer outcomes. Distributed Solar Development is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.