Technical Operations Manager

Department:Renewables Sector – Solar

Equitix Management Services (EMS) has been delivering management services across the investment infrastructure sector since 2014. With experience spanning education, healthcare, social housing, utilities and government infrastructure, EMS has also established a growing presence in the renewable energy sector, supporting solar, offshore and onshore wind, offshore transmission (OFTO), and waste-to-energy assets.

Today, EMS manages more than £4bn of infrastructure assets across 135 contracts, supported by a multidisciplinary team of over 100 professionals. As our renewables portfolio continues to grow, we're looking for a Solar Technical Operations Manager to join our expanding team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a fast-growing sector, with excellent prospects for professional development and career progression.

Principal Responsibilities:

The Technical Operations Manager will support the day-to-day management of assets within our portfolio along and provide technical support and performance analysis. The role location is flexible as EMS have offices throughout the UK, however the preferred location for this role is Glasgow. Primary responsibilities of the position are to carry out the day to day management of the portfolio of solar projects that we manage on behalf of our clients, however the role will also involve data driven performance analysis and technical investigations and discussions with project service providers. The successful candidate will report to the Solar Subsector Lead but will be expected to be a self-starter able to manage their own workloads. There will also be opportunities to be involved in business development activities, system design & development and strategic corporate discussions, and to interact with the wider Renewables sector teams

As the Technical Operations Manager, you’ll play a crucial role in the following:

• Managing service providers and ensuring performance meets contractual requirements.  
• Confidently reviewing, and querying as necessary, maintenance activities undertaken by service providers to ensure industry best practice is followed.
• Managing Health, Safety and Environmental obligations including awareness of SSOW, RAMS and CPPs and an understanding of CDM obligations.
• Data analysis including site performance monitoring and calculations, component downtime losses and performance improvement suggestions, cost-benefit analyses for additional work streams and insurance claim management.
• Supporting the Subsector Lead to ensure compliance with all contractual obligations and project documentation including PPAs, grid connections, planning permissions, landscape management plans, leases, O&M contracts, Meter Operator Provider contracts and MSAs.
• Promoting effective communication with all stakeholders and maintaining project records.

• Responsible for the day-to-day asset management of multiple commercial scale solar sites and report directly to the Clients.
• Preparation and submission in a timely manner of reports including KPIs, monthly reports and Board reports to the Client and other stakeholders.
• Analysis of performance data including SCADA and service provider reports.
• Liaising with O&M contractors to ensure any communications required under sub-contracts are supplied in a timely manner.
• Management of component warranty claims, insurance claims, performance warranty calculations and settlement and quantifying missed maintenance tasks.
• Liaising with professional advisers of the SPV Companies and Lenders, as appropriate.
• Ensuring that all assets under management adhere to statutory requirements for Health, Safety and Environmental performance and comply with project specific requirements in accordance with document management protocols, planning requirements, grid company connection conditions and power purchase agreements.
• Coordinating day-to-day management of operational solar assets by monitoring preventative and reactive maintenance completed, monitoring response times, reacting to emergencies and approving quotes within agreed parameters.
• Maintaining project specific management tools including; Operating Plans, CMMS, Asset Registers, Task Management tools and other quality management tools as necessary.
• Carrying out regular reporting using in-house data management systems and, where required, in-depth data analysis in order to maximise asset performance.
• Developing and implementing project specific plans and managing follow-up actions.
• Developing strong relationships with contractors to maximize their performance and developing strong community relations in the project’s locality, including managing landowner and community interests.
• Challenging proposals from contractors and service providers and seeking the best resolution to issues for our clients.
• Reviewing service provider KPIs alongside budgets including the review of exclusion events, performance methodology calculations and management of liquidated damages.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of in-house data management systems and operational processes and procedures.
• Advise on performance and contractual matters to seek resolution; working collaboratively with the Asset Engineer and General Managers.
• Act as the interface between O&M Service Provider/s and Senior Management on relevant operational matters.
• Identify optimization opportunities, manage repowering projects and contract renewals as appropriate.

• Technical solar site experience / knowledge – either general or related to specific components (e.g. inverters, modules, transformers)
• Proficient data analysis skills
• Contract Management experience with strong commercial acumen and ability to adeptly apply contractual mechanisms to commercial discussions
• Tenacious self-starter
• Professional and organised
• Process driven
• Able to work independently
• Good communicator with proven ability to build sound business relationships
• IT literate (familiar with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) & SharePoint; willing to learn and make full use of internal systems)
• Strong understanding of the importance of data management processes
• Experience of, or strong interest in, the renewable energy industry – particularly related to the solar industry.

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be an advantage but not a requirement

• Repowering projects
• Health & Safety process management
• Battery Storage (BESS) technology
• SCADA systems
• High Voltage Electrical systems
• PowerBi

• Carry out such additional duties as may be required by EMS from time to time.

Benefits & role info

• Private medical healthcare with Vitality
• Scottish Widows Pension
• UNUM Death in Service Cover
• UNUM Help@Hand
• UNUM Group Income Protection Cover
• Corporate Eyecare with Specsavers
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season Ticket Loan
• Electric car scheme with Octopus (after probation)
• 26 days of annual leave + Bank holidays
• We operate with a hybrid work setup; 3 days in the office & 2 from home. There may be an expectation to be more present in the office during the initial period of employment.

Next Step:

By clicking ‘apply’ you will be taken to our HR platform to complete your application.