CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (US)

Date: Jan 9, 2025

Company: Zelestra

LOCATION

USA REMOTE

MISSION

At Zelestra, we are on a mission to change the world by making decarbonization a reality for our partners. As a client-focused, multi-technology, global renewable energy company, we work tirelessly to do things right, to push ourselves and our clients further, and to get the results that matter.

With a key emphasis on innovation and collaboration, Zelestra is committed to helping customers, communities, and stakeholders through tailored solutions, local employment, and strong sustainability.

With more than two decades of experience working in 13 countries, Zelestra is a trusted partner with proven capabilities in providing efficient, competitive, carbon-free solutions. With a portfolio of 20 GW of carbon-free projects across 13 countries, Zelestra is a vertically integrated company specializing in developing, constructing, commercializing, and operating large-scale renewable energy projects.

Zelestra is made up of 900+ professionals globally. It is backed by EQT, one of the largest fund managers in the world, with $232B in assets under management.

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Chief Operating Officer to ensure safe operations and construction. Creating optimal performance, quality, and cost across our solar/wind/storage assets. Reporting to the CEO, the COO will lead the safety, construction, and operational teams, designing and owning the strategy enabling optimal business performance. As a key member of the senior leadership team the COO will be responsible for participating in setting the long-term growth strategies and creating plans to execute those strategies

Job Requirements

• Built or been a part of world class owner/operator of renewable generating assets
• Built or been a part of other world class engineering, procurement and construction companies focused on delivering highly engineered renewable systems
• Have deep renewables industry relationships across operations, engineering, procurement, and construction that you can immediately leverage to help our organization perform and grow
• Have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, you can influence, build rapport, and get through to people at all levels of the organization
• Strong presenter, instills trust and confidence in those you are speaking to, and can persuasively pitch concepts and value propositions to both internal stakeholders and external customers. Naturally, a strategic thinker, with excellent critical thinking and analytical skills
• Demonstrated strong leader, able to naturally extract the best from your employees, recognizing how to leverage their strengths and manage their weaknesses
  
  

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the CEO to develop and execute the company’s strategic objectives, business plan, and growth targets.
• Creating, implementing, and owning a top-tier health and safety program
• Develops, modifies, and implements tactical plans for performance management, annual operating goals (short-term & long-term), and project execution in-line with the business strategy.
• Lead the company’s operations groups across all technologies throughout the US.
• Leads the company's asset management program throughout the US
• Ensure operations and construction are executed with high levels of safety and quality while encouraging continuous improvement.
• Oversees the leadership of the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) activities to successfully deliver all projects in accordance with our strategic objectives
• Responsible for reporting all key metrics related to the operating fleet including revenue generation, outages, maintenance, warranty issues, defects, and resolutions, etc.
• Communicates the vision, strategy, plan, and execution targets to leadership and throughout the company, and spearheads the development and implementation of growth strategies and processes that will deliver on the same
• Establish a risk management plan that identifies key risk areas for the company and implements prudent risk management systems and procedures, including remediation plans for major execution risks and business interruption mitigation plans for operating assets
• Establish the Operations budgets, processes, and reporting systems to ensure that the CEO, CFO, and financial team have ready access to current financial needs
• Collaborate with key support functions to drive accountability and implement strategies
• Ensure measurement of operational and performance metrics through efficient use of business systems
• Responsible for supporting and maintaining a culture of collaboration, accountability, trust, safety, and customer / project focus across functional areas
• Bring, build, and maintain relationships with key labor partners, subcontractors, and equipment suppliers – partnership mentality
  
  

Qualifications

• MBA, Masters, or Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Engineering, or a related “energy/development” field from an accredited college or university preferred
• 15+ years of experience that includes comprehensive executive management exposures leading corporate strategic operational initiatives for large utility-scale Renewable Energy Developers, IPPs, Electrical Utilities, and Power Generation Companies
• 10+ years management leadership experience working with top-tier Corporate Manager to VP level leaders on streamlining corporate renewable energy operations
• Proven track record creating best-in-class operational leadership that connect company vision with operational goals, improve efficiencies, and deliver structured company performance reporting systems that are easily understood by all
• Must have a strong background in developing industry leading growth and corporate performance management strategies in full-lifecycle utility-scale renewable energy project environments
• Ability to advance level discussions in the utility-scale renewables and battery storage space is preferred
• Substantial IPP development experience in the renewables sector
• Substantial renewables industry experience and leadership in a large organization of both union and non-union workforce
• Substantial renewables industry experience and leadership in a large organization of both self-perform and contracted operations
• Deep experience in technical support of Merger, Acquisition and Divestiture Activities. Exceptional executive presence, business acumen and presentation skills
• Strong budgeting and financial management skills
• Strong leadership skills
  
  

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