Director, Preconstruction/PM2

Title: Director of Preconstruction/Project Management 2
Department: Operations 3
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Supervisor: VP of Construction
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent; Full-time

Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Remote

DIRECTOR OF PRECONSTRUCTION/PROJECT MANAGEMENT 2

Q CELLS Enable (Enable) is the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) arm of Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA) which is providing solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, PV and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. By choosing Qcells for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Qcells USA’s complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Module, Development, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere. 

As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.

SUMMARY

This position will lead the preconstruction/project management 2 team of Qcells Enable and will play a vital role within the Qcells Enable and Qcells USA organization to enable our vision of becoming the top-tier EPC solution provider in US.

As a key member of the EPC management team the Director is expected to draw upon a fundamental construction and engineering background and direct experience to lead all preconstruction and project management efforts in support of the successful build out of MW scale ground mount PV and ESS power plants. The Director will also build and mentor a large diverse cross functional team located throughout the Americas, as well as oversee a broad network of suppliers and partners. This position reports to the VP of Construction, or another management personnel that the President of the Company may designate. This position is located in home and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. Overtime and weekend working hours may be required as needed. This position is expected to travel up to 50%.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Manage an extensive pipeline of PV solar projects from a diverse portfolio of internal developed and third-party clients.
• Lead and coordinate with the internal teams in defining the cost, price, technical requirements, work scope and schedule for the contract including but not limited to LNTP(Limited Notice to Proceed) Agreement and EPC(Engineering, Procurement and Construction) Agreement.
• Lead and coordinate with the internal teams and the client in performing the works and obligation under LNTP and progressing to EPC Agreement.
• Manage all aspects of project management for contracted PV and ESS EPC projects including but not limited to: Licensing, permitting, zoning, interconnection, sub contracting, engineering, contract management, scheduling, procurement, incentives, internal installation efforts, inspections, testing, Quality Assurance, Commissioning, budgeting, costs
• Provide point of escalation for customer and subcontractor issues
• Review activity reports, and other performance data to measure productivity and goal achievement and to determine areas needing cost reduction and program improvement;
• Establish and maintain positive and effective relationships and communication with client, Construction Manager, project team, consultants/architect/engineers, subcontractors, adjacent community, trade unions, governmental agencies.
• Cooperation with Engineering, and Construction teams to improve design efficiency in terms of cost reduction through value engineering and to resolve technical issues on site;
• Collaborate with the Procurement team to develop and maintain a cost history database to be used in developing budgets and estimates throughout the preconstruction phase. Working with Procurement team and process, while working closely with counterparts in other geographical regions to develop synergies and standardize components
• Support and cooperate with sales and proposal to win new EPC bids ;
• Support internal planning group with periodic and ad-hoc reporting.
• Review activity reports, and other performance data to measure productivity and goal achievement and to determine areas needing cost reduction and program improvement, facilitate a “lessons learned meeting” after project completion to document areas of improvement and excellence; and
• Hire and actively develop the team. Facilitate comprehensive training and development of staff for successful careers with Qcells, and in the industry.
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Executive Management.
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another related field is preferred
• Graduate degree in engineering or another related field is highly preferred
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering, project management or construction
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in solar industry
• Extensive track record of successfully designing and building large scale solar power plants preferably in the Americas, and a demonstrated track record of delivering results
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of all phases of the renewables power plant construction ,including engineering, procurement, and construction and project management
• Experience working with project developers and understanding of the RFP process
• Have insight to highlight key risk factors and provide and deliver best EPC cost estimates
• Solid experience with current solar EPC tools and processes, and remain current on best practices and trends in the industry
• Demonstrated track record of initiating programs that lead to significant cost reduction and/or performance improvement
• Understanding of solar module manufacturing and O&M experience is a plus
• Ability to manage and lead large technical organizations, including significant experience managing numerous suppliers and contractors
• Capability to interact with leadership cross-culturally, both within and outside the organization
• Have both long-term strategic perspective and near-term action orientation, strong desire to continuously improve and push limits
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong team player with high degree of professionalism in which one conducts self at all times
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally
• Travel: up to 50% as needed

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
• Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
• Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
• Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
• Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
• Travel: up to 40% as needed

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regular professional, office business setting
• Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
• Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)

Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by Qcells USA Corp are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.  As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.  Please contact us to request accommodations at [email protected].

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.