Associate Director of Origination – WECC

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 Development, Module, 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 Associate Director of Power Marketing and Origination is responsible for identifying and executing offtake opportunities for utility scale solar, storage and hybrid projects in the western markets, CAISO, Pacific Northwest, WECC, ERCOT, SPP, etc. The position is also responsible for identification, assessment and execution of strategic partnerships with utilities and other customers for build-transfer opportunities. The successful candidate will have experience in directing power origination efforts across multiple market segments. The Associate Director of Power Marketing & Origination reports to the Vice President of Power Marketing & Origination, or other senior management personnel that the CEO of HQC may designate. This position reports to the Irvine, CA office but will maintain a hybrid schedule of working out of their home office and the Irvine, CA office. Working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 40% of the time.

Essential Job Function & Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with individuals in procurement roles at utility

companies, municipalities, cooperatives, community choice aggregators, and corporate off-takers;

• Develop commercial thesis for each market and provide intelligence to inform the development and acquisition strategy;
• Identify new off-take opportunities through competitive solicitations and bilateral discussions;
• Direct the proposal package preparation in response to offtake opportunities, including RFPs and RFIs for utility scale solar, storage, and hybrid projects throughout North America;
• Develop creative and innovative deal structures and recommendations to support successful outcomes;
• Stay current on market, industry, economic, consumer, and competitive trends;
• Prepare investment memoranda and presentations for Senior Management;
• Engage in industry groups and follow regulatory changes to identify new opportunities, risks, and market solutions;
• Be technically astute with the full life cycle of utility solar project origination, development and valuation;

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in business, finance, engineering, sustainability, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in power marketing, origination, or similar role
• Proficient in structuring and negotiating offtake deals, including but not limited to PPAs, VPPAs, tolling agreements, financial hedges, and other evolving and innovative structuring instruments
• Advanced knowledge of U.S. utility-scale solar development, power markets, and customer segments in the western markets CAISO, Pacific Northwest, WECC, ERCOT, SPP, etc
• Understanding of battery storage contracting structures is preferred
• Requires the ability to stay current with changing technologies, regulations, and trends influencing the continued adoption of renewable energy.
• Ability to quickly step into new tasks and adapt to new circumstances in a dynamic environment.
• Experience successfully operating in a geographically dispersed organization is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal, time management, communication, and relationship building skills
• Willing to travel up to 40% of the time in North America

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 40% as needed

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)

SALARY RANGE FOR POSITION

The anticipated starting pay range of this position, which is to be located in Irvine, CA is $165,000 – $185,000 base salary per year.

This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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 [email protected].

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.

This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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