Vice President, Solar Preconstruction - SolAmerica Energy

SolAmerica Energy is a private equity-backed firm who develops, builds, owns, and operates distributed generation (DG) solar projects and energy storage solutions. 

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, SolAmerica has successfully developed and built solar power projects throughout the eastern half of the United States and has a growing pipeline of project opportunities in more than 20 states. 

SolAmerica is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and believes in attracting, retaining, and advancing employees who will best serve and represent its customers, partners, and communities. 

We promote fostering a work culture of mutual respect and teamwork, ensuring that everyone can grow and contribute at their greatest potential. For additional information about SolAmerica, visit www.solamericaenergy.com.

Requirements

SolAmerica Energy is seeking an experienced Vice President, Preconstruction with a strong project management background and experience planning distributed generation (DG) photovoltaic (PV) and BESS projects.  This position is a pivotal role that involves managing the project lifecycle from the development phase to the execution phase including project planning, cost estimation, and technical reviews to support the company pipeline. Project planning includes both turnkey EPC execution and SolAmerica General Contractor (GC) approaches.

 The Vice President, Preconstruction will lead initiatives to improve productivity, integrate project value engineering initiatives, while focusing on cost and schedule efficiency. A critical aspect of this role includes refining project lifecycle processes to minimize rework, streamline manual tasks, and implement best practices, ultimately achieving higher quality and cost-effectiveness through standardization and automation.

Management

• Develop preconstruction goals that align with EPC department and company goals and business plan
• Coordinate with the Development team to identify, prioritize, projects
• Manage projects through the preconstruction phase to optimize project design, planning, and costs
• Coordinate with the Project Management Team on planning and handover of projects
• Develop and track department metrics
• Develop and implement procedures, strategies, methodologies, and best practices to enhance project delivery efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manage department staff to achieve personnel and company goals
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, vendors, subcontractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Collaborate closely with business development and sales teams to support proposal development, project feasibility assessments, and client engagement.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to enhance and implement best-in-class processes.

Project due diligence / Technical Expertise

• Review project documentation and status to identify risks and opportunities. (engineering designs, permits, interconnection, PVSyst, equipment selection)
• Provide constructability and technical oversight and guidance on engineering, procurement, and construction activities, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to optimize design and engineering solutions, incorporating innovative technologies and driving continuous improvement.
• Evaluate and recommend equipment for projects with view of long term lowest cost.
• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory requirements, and apply relevant knowledge to project execution.

Project Cost Estimating

• Manage the cost estimating process, system, and tools to provide accurate project cost estimates at each stage of project development
• Perform and review conceptual, budgetary, and detailed cost estimates
• Coordinate with Procurement on equipment costs and inputs to the costs estimate
• Manage a database of cost estimation inputs and outputs
• Coordinate with Finance on the cost estimate input to the financial model

Project Planning and Management

• Develop the project strategy and planning for projects ensuring adherence to schedule, budget, and quality standards
• Identify long lead equipment and coordinate with procurement to develop mitigating plans
• Develop milestone schedules for projects and portfolios
• Understand and plan for compliance requirements (prevailing wage, apprenticeship, etc.)
• Work in collaboration with project management team to review the project planning preparing for a smooth handover
• EPC and Contractor management 
• Develop and maintain relationships with EPC Contractors and Major Subcontractors
• Oversee the prequalification for EPCs and Contractors
• Oversee the request for bid and bid process
• Oversee bid normalization and contract exclusions

Contracts

• Initiate contracting process with EPC Contractors
• Oversee and manage the EPC contracting process including red-lines and negotiations
• Coordination with internal legal department for legal input
• Serve as the commercial and operational lead for EPC contract process  

Office Location & Travel Requirements

Ideal candidates will be based out of the Atlanta, Georgia area and will be able to work from our HQ based in the Buckhead area pursuant to the company's hybrid work policy.

SolAmerica will consider remote candidates living within a manageable driving or flying distance from Atlanta. The position requires travel to Atlanta and other meetings with an expectation of approximately one to four trips per year. 

Minimum Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years solar and/or storage field operations at DG and/or utility scale level, preferably with experience in a PV and/or storage Project Manager role
• Expert knowledge of project planning, scheduling, and budgeting processes and tools, including MS Project and Procore.
• Expert knowledge of engineering principles, procurement processes, and construction methodologies and best practices related to renewable energy projects
• Substantial experience with EPC subcontractor relationship management, contract negotiation, dispute resolution, and risk mitigation.
• Experience managing a team, creating a culture of performance, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to collaborate across the business

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with renewable energy companies and a deep understanding of the solar industry
• Experience with solar electrical equipment engineering and/or electrical engineering
• Experience with solar racking design and engineering process (geotechnical studies, pile load testing, etc.)
• Proficient with MS Project
• Experience presenting to executive-level audiences.
• Active PMP Certification

Benefits

Compensation and Benefits

SolAmerica Energy offers a competitive salary, benefits package (inclusive of equity-based compensation) and performance bonus opportunities with this position.

 Our total rewards strategy is designed to support our employees to thrive professionally and personally while seeking to create a culture of work/life balance as we work toward our collective goals as a business.

 We offer a monthly stipend to go towards communication expenses and all our health insurance benefits are effective from Day 1.

It’s a great time to join SolAmerica Energy!

Third Party Agencies & Candidate Submissions

SolAmerica Energy will only consider candidates for this position while it is active.

SolAmerica Energy will not consider unsolicited candidate applications from third party agencies.