Axpo is a Swiss based utility with a leading position in energy markets across 30 countries in Europe, Americas, Asia and Africa. Through our solar division, we operate in the development, investment, construction and operation of photovoltaic plants and the supply of green electricity and advanced energy solutions for our customers.
We have the ambition to be among the top European players in photovoltaics in the next decade and to reach a production capacity of 10 GWp by 2030. The division operates in France through Urbasolar, one of the top players and pioneers since 2016 in its domestic market, and acting as a group platform able to provide all the expertise needed in a PV project worldwide.
We operate across Europe through several entities including Axpo Solar Germany based in Berlin.
We are looking to hire a talented and energetic Program Director to join our team!
Joining our renewable energy division, the Program Director will be the focal point between 3 large Departments. Project Development, Construction, and Operations for projects in new utility scale solar markets (Germany, Italy, and Spain) across our existing portfolios. As Program Director, you pull levers for new markets and successful project completion by oversight and project guidance. This means understanding project risks, contracts, economics, permitting, grid, insurance, construction, and operations in international markets.
Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, the Director will collaborate closely with the VP, ensuring projects are on schedule and in order when they reach operations. As noted, this means you are the communicator between the Operations department and Development & Construction teams, as you will know where the projects need to be in order to commission successfully. Work will include streamlining processes, implementing new structures, offering new ideas to better projects. The portfolios are utility scale solar projects in Germany, Spain, and Italy - sized from 5MW to 200MWs per site.
Your main missions will be :
Master project business plans, being able to challenge them, understand existing room for maneuver and risks, and thus contribute to project piloting with project managers and the directing board.
Support project managers in monitoring updated project business plans at the main key stages at entry into the backlog, at the presentation of the investment decision and the commitment to the construction phase
Know and ensure the essential commercial, contractual and organizational conditions of the project and being able to assess the issues and impacts linked to cost and deadline overruns. Carry out audits of the progress of the project: gap analysis, initial inventory and monitoring of blocking points/risks and mitigation measures.
Carry out reviews and improvements of the contractual and financial setup to preserve the interests of the SPVs and the group and analyze contractual sketches and country-specific modalities.
Be the main point of contact for the project with the client and ensure the continuity of the client relationship throughout the project.
Ensure the transition of project responsibilities to the asset management and operation-maintenance teams and the documentation necessary for the project, paying particular attention to the control of commitments made in the preliminary phases and ensuring the transition from the EPC contract to the maintenance contract.
Ensure project reporting to general management ("Prospecting & Development", "Execution", "Operation" and "Finance" divisions), and submit arbitration requests.
Lead regular and cross-functional project or program meetings, bring together contributors from different departments and monitor their level of preparation and the quality of the service provided.
10+ years experience within project development, project construction, asset management
10+ years experience within renewable energy, specifically utility scale solar
Proven experience working a transversal position across multiple international markets
Strong knowledge of the Spanish PV and Electricity market
Understanding of financials, contracts, permitting, grid connection activities, EPC contracts, insurances, and project management
Business and Technical Acumen
Ability to understand project risks and implement new processes
Ability to work independently and a part of an international team
Strong communication skills are required
Fluency in English and German
Location: Berlin, Germany