Vice President, Construction

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Remote, Italy

Description

Key Responsibilities

• For upcoming Italian projects, manage the entire preconstruction phase from a technical perspective from late stage of development to notice to proceed (ready to shovel) status, coordinating the input from local and central team members as required.
• Act as a key member of a multi-disciplinary project delivery team, tasked to commercialise the projects and prepare them for a successful construction phase (delivered to time, quality and budget with the highest HSE standards)
• Lead the tendering and support negotiation of EPC, BOP, Owners Engineer and equipment supply contracts as required, working closely with the Procurement, Technical and Commercial functions
• Support the definition and optimisation of key project information including: schedule, CAPEX, OPEX and other technical assumptions.
• Proactively work to identify project risks and opportunities together with action plans to mitigate/realise them.
• Work with internal and external technical and engineering teams to ensure an optimal solution (in terms of LCOE) for all aspects of projects: technology, design, site studies, etc.
• Proactively work with the development team to derisk and progress grid connection works and late development activities.
• Ensure that Cubico’s governance processes are implemented across all projects, maintaining strong project documentation management throughout.
• Evaluate new projects opportunities under development in collaboration with the local development team.
• Plan the transition into construction well in advance, ensuring a comprehensive handover and lessons learned package is prepared.
• Support the definition of ongoing resourcing plans to grow the Italian delivery team in line with portfolio growth/progression.

• Lead and supervise project construction activities, from remaining pre-construction through to a successful transition into operations. 
• Lead by example on safety and act as a role model
• Ensure key contractors have adequate project controls in place, and maintain overall project controls 
• Work closely with key contractors and stakeholders (i.e lender’s technical advisor, utility/interconnection companies, owner’s engineer, local councils etc), building strong relationships while monitoring performance and enforcing contractual provisions as needed.
• Management of the implementation and supervision plan for the Owner. Finalising the company’s Project Execution Plan, ensuring the main contractors have adequate controls implemented.
• Proactively following/leading the progress of grid connection works, monitoring the progress of the connection solution and supporting the Grid Operator management;
• Provide contract management and change control management.
• Lead a high-performing project team, including owners engineer team and support functions 
• Actively manage the interface between different contractors and stakeholders in order to minimise project risk, particularly with regard to schedule slippage and cost overruns.  
• Ensure that Cubico’s governance processes are implemented across all projects, maintaining strong project documentation management throughout.
• Chair monthly Steering Committees and prepare the required reporting aligned with company requirements.
• Plan the transition into operations well in advance, working closely with Asset Management to prepare for a comprehensive handover and lessons learned package.
• Support the definition of ongoing resourcing plans to grow the Italian Construction team in line with portfolio growth/progression.

• Country Head
• Global Head of Construction
• Development Team
• Commercial Team
• Procurement Team
• Central Technical/Construction Teams

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Degree level qualification in engineering or similar technical discipline.
• Demonstrable experience and successful track record in the pre- construction and construction phase of Solar PV and Wind Projects (BESS experience would be advantageous) either as an owner, EPC contractor or investor.
• Experience of leading a project team is essential; formal project management training/certification would be beneficial.
• Significant and active experience in creatively solving the complex technical and commercial challenges typically experienced in the development and delivery of renewable energy projects.
• Strong commercial and contractual acumen with a proven ability to negotiate contracts typically found in utility scale renewable energy projects. 
• Working knowledge of project finance documents and how they relate to the construction of renewable energy projects.
• Knowledge of Italian grid connection process, and ideally experience in managing interconnection projects.
• Understanding of the related Italian consenting processes and requirements would be beneficial.
• Good understanding of the engineering and design process.
• Ability to work remotely and independently and be a self-starter.
• Collaborative, proactive, structured and meticulous approach.
• Strong communication skills.  Ability to explain complex technical issues and their resolution to senior stakeholders. 
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Fluent in Italian and upper intermediate level in English.
• Ability to travel within Italy.