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Title: Senior Director of Preconstruction
Department: Estimation/Preconstruction
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: VP of Proposals

FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent; Full-time

Work Status: Remote

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PRECONSTRUCTION

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA 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

The Sr. Director of Preconstruction will lead the internal Preconstruction Team and play a vital role in advancing the company’s vision of becoming the leading solar solutions provider in the Americas. As a key member of the EPC management team, the Director will draw upon a strong construction and engineering background, along with direct industry experience, to lead all preconstruction and estimating efforts in support of successful self-perform, megawatt-scale, ground-mount PV and ESS power plant projects.

The Sr. Director will also build, mentor, and lead a large, diverse, cross-functional team located throughout the Americas, while overseeing a broad network of suppliers and partners. The Sr. Director will report to the VP of Proposals, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is remote, reporting to the Houston office 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 30%.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
 

•        Project Initiation & Planning

• Lead the initial project kick-off meetings, defining clear objectives, scope, and deliverables for the preconstruction phase
• Define resource requirements for preconstruction activities
• Establish clear communication protocols and a communication management plan
• Create alignment with all stakeholders on project goals and expectations.

•        Team Leadership & Coordination

• Manage teams, act as a facilitator, trainer, communicator, and motivation
• Foster cross-functional collaboration by bringing together individuals from Estimation, Contracts, Permitting, and Engineering to work towards common project goals
• Lead regular team meetings to review progress, address roadblocks, and ensure alignment
• Mentor and coach team members to foster their professional growth and development, providing regular feedback and opportunities for skill enhancement.
• Serve as a mediator in resolving conflicts or disputes within the preconstruction team or with external stakeholders, fostering positive working relationships and maintaining project momentum.
• Champion a culture of safety within the preconstruction team and across project sites, emphasizing the importance of safety protocols, training, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Lead with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to ethical business practices, serving as a role model for the team and upholding the company's values and culture.

•        Risk Management

• Implement a systematic process for identifying, evaluating, and addressing potential risks specific to the preconstruction phase
• Collaborate with the team to assess impact of identified risks
• Develop and plan appropriate responses and mitigation strategies for risks

•        Stakeholder Management & Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and internal executive stakeholders regarding preconstruction progress and critical decisions
• Prepare and deliver accurate and timely project status reports, highlighting key metrics, accomplishments, and challenges
• Facilitate collaborative brainstorming processes to address challenges and setbacks, bringing together necessary stakeholders to identify viable solutions
• Manage expectations with clients to ensure project success while forging lasting relationships with the client to promote repeat business.

•        Process Adherence & Improvement

• Oversee all preconstruction activities from project inception to award, ensuring alignment with project goals, timelines, and budgetary constraints.
• Ensure adherence to established SOPs for all preconstruction activities
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and contribute to the refinement of preconstruction methodologies
• Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in preconstruction and project management, sharing knowledge and insights with the team to drive innovation and improvement.

•        Departmental Management

• Manage an extensive pipeline of PV solar and ESS projects from a diverse portfolio of internal developed and third-party clients. 
• Lead the team through organizational changes, ensuring smooth transitions and effective adaptation to new processes, technologies, and project requirements.
• Make strategic decisions regarding resource allocation, project prioritization, and risk management, leveraging expertise and input from the preconstruction team and other key stakeholders.
• Identify and develop future leaders within the preconstruction team, creating opportunities for advancement and succession planning to ensure continuity of leadership and talent within the organization.
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in engineering or construction;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in solar development;
• 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 development, 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;
• 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;

PREFERRED 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;
• Understanding of solar module manufacturing and O&M experience is a plus;

EXAMPLES OF 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 30% as needed

EXAMPLES OF 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)
• Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department

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 hr-usa@qcells.com.