Senior Vice President, Plant Operations – Renewable Energy

Job Description

About Us

FirstLight is a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company serving North America. With a diversified portfolio that includes over 1.65 GW of operating renewable energy and energy storage technologies and a development pipeline with 4+ GW of solar, battery, hydro, onshore wind and offshore wind projects, FirstLight specializes in hybrid solutions that pair hydroelectric, pumped-hydro storage (including Northfield Mountain, the largest energy storage facility in New England), utility-scale solar, large-scale battery, and wind assets. The company’s mission is to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid by supporting the development, operation, and integration of renewable energy and storage to meet the world’s growing clean energy needs and deliver an electric system that is clean, reliable, affordable, and equitable. Based in Burlington, MA, with operating offices in Northfield, MA, New Milford, CT, Oshawa, ON and Montral, QC, FirstLight is a steward of more than 14,000 acres and hundreds of miles of shoreline along some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes in North America.

FirstLight is wholly owned by PSP Investments, one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers. We have over 200 employees in Canada and the US with operations based in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ontario and Quebec. In Canada, FirstLight operates through its subsidiaries H2O Power and the recently acquired Hydromega, which is headquartered in Montreal.

We proudly serve our host communities and beyond through our clean energy assets, the recreation spaces we steward, the jobs we produce, and the economic benefit we deliver through our operations and charitable actions.

We are a team of caring, passionate professionals who are driven to deliver positive climate impact and to have fun while doing it! We value diversity, equity and inclusion and encourage people with diverse perspectives, skills and experiences to apply.

Position Detail:
We are looking for an experienced Senior Vice President, Plant Operations to join our Executive team for this remote role.

This Operations position reports to the CEO and is responsible for leading all aspects of Plant Operations at all of our generating facilities across North America while also supporting various executive functions across the organization. The SVP, Plant Operations is a foundational member of the executive leadership team and is integral to key decision making and execution. The role will encompass a comprehensive view of the company’s plant operations, aiming to enhance productivity, mitigate risks, and foster a culture of excellence.

Our ideal candidate possesses experience, passion and energy to be a driving force in FirstLight’s continued evolution to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid to meet the clean energy needs of tomorrow.

Key Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Direct the activities of all senior managers in their geographic area and maintain a positive employee relations climate for all employees through consistent application of all FirstLight programs;
• Monitor the day-to-day operation, maintenance, fiscal, and administrative functions of each operating facility;
• Establish project objectives, policies, procedures, and performance standards within boundaries of company policy and procedures;
• Responsible for the oversight and direction of plant compliance with company policies and procedures, governmental regulations, annual operating plans, and good engineering practices at each facility;
• Negotiate favorable operating parameters during the FERC License Renewal process for the federally regulated U.S. hydroelectric projects;
• Work with local governments, non-governmental agencies, provincial, state and federal regulatory agencies to address issues and concerns relating to the operation and maintenance of facilities and their impact on the communities and adjacent landowners, especially in the area of property taxes;
• Prepare, review, negotiate, and approve business contracts to ensure the reliable and profitable operations of all FirstLight generation facilities. Optimize plant technical and financial performance through enhancements and/or modifications to contracts;
• Maintain key contractual compliance and strive to enhance revenue stream of electric sales, site lease, partnership agreements, operation and maintenance agreements, and legal matters as they arise;
• Keep abreast of changing market trends and new opportunities in Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), power marketing, financial and risk management techniques;
• Interface with the commercial organization to enhance communications, outage decision making, dispatch decisions, metric utilization, and plant capability to maximize economic performance of the merchant plants;
• Recommend the hiring, termination, and pay schedules for the operating facilities;
• Direct professional development of key members of the operations organization, including identifying needs and supporting plans. Identify personal development requirements for continued performance improvement;
• Prepare and submit for review and approval strategic plans, budgets, and periodic reports;
• Direct lender-required technical and budget review programs;
• Comply with all FirstLight policies and procedures;
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Job Qualifications / Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in Engineering, Business, Accounting, or Finance;
• 10+ years of related experience; demonstrated outstanding management and supervision of technical, operating, and maintenance power plant personnel;
• Demonstrated technical, commercial, and managerial experience with both regulated and independent power markets;
• In-depth knowledge of power generating facility equipment technology, hydro and pumped storage preferred;
• Proficiency with MS Suite, operational, financial modeling and budgeting programs;
• Strong public speaking skills;
• Superior problem solving, organization, and prioritization skills;
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time within the US and Canada.

Why Work for FirstLight?

We consider our employees to be our most valuable resource and we strive to provide a challenging, collegial, and rewarding workplace. FirstLight embraces a company-wide commitment to recruit, develop, and retain a dedicated, diverse, and engaged workforce that is motivated to be ever better both professionally and personally.

Joining the FirstLight Team is an opportunity to experience a unique and exciting culture. Some of our benefits for eligible employees include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Mental Health Care
• 401(k) with Employer Matching
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Annual Performance Incentive Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Paid Time Off Plan
• Paid Holidays
• Professional Development
• Employee Referral Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Charitable Matching Program & Employer Sponsored Volunteer Program

FirstLight provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, FirstLight complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

FirstLight’s values are:
Respect Integrity Safety Excellence Innovation – Team

Join Our Team!

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