Associate Director of Project Planning

Department: SP Construction

Location: Irvine, CA

Supervisor: Senior Director of Project Planning

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent; Full-time

Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Hybrid

Associate Director of Project Planning

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (“HQC US”) develops, invests, and delivers solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects through Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) services in North America.

The company brings a decade of global leadership in solar PV to deliver utility-scale power generation plants customized for local and regional energy markets. HQC US offers the full spectrum of PV solutions – from the core technology of cells and modules to large-scale project development and investment. With proven capabilities across the solar and battery storage value chain, HQC US minimizes uncertainty and risk, and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in renewable energy.

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 Project Planning will lead the internal self-perform Project Planning Management, Permitting, and Contract Teams and will play a vital role within the Hanwha Q CELLS USA organization to enable our vision of becoming the leading solar solution provider in the Americas. As a key member of the EPC management team the Associate Director is expected to draw upon a fundamental construction and engineering background and direct experience to lead project planning efforts in support of the successful build out of self-perform MW scale ground mount PV and ESS power plants. The Associate Director will also build and mentor a large diverse cross functional team located throughout the Americas, as well as oversees a broad network of suppliers and partners. The Associate Director will report to the Senior Director of Project Planning of Hanwha Q CELLS USA Corp., or another management personnel that the President of the Company may designate..This position is remote (unless located in Irvine, CA) 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 25%.

Essential Job Function & Responsibilities

• Leadership

• Lead and manage a team of project planning professionals, including EPC Contracts department, Project Management, and Permitting fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• 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 project planning team or with external stakeholders, fostering positive working relationships and maintaining project momentum.
• Champion a culture of safety within the project planning 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.

• Oversee project planning activities from project inception to award, ensuring alignment with project goals, timelines, and budgetary constraints.
• Drive process improvements and implement best practices to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of project planning operations.
• Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in project planning and project management, sharing knowledge and insights with the team to drive innovation and improvement.

• Ensure the Project Planning Management team is communicating and collaborating with the Estimating department to ensure all activities and deliverables are being completed within the parameters of the project schedule and requirements.

• Aid in the development of comprehensive project execution plans, identifying potential risks and mitigation strategies to ensure successful project execution.
• Provide input on project schedules and provide insight on durations and relationships of activities.

• Collaborate with legal and procurement teams to negotiate and execute EPC contracts, ensuring compliance with company standards and legal requirements.
• Lead commercial negotiations with clients, vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers to secure favorable terms and pricing for project materials and services.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, engineers, and regulatory agencies, to facilitate communication and ensure project alignment.
• Manage expectations with clients to ensure project success while forging lasting relationships with the client to promote repeat business.

• 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 project planning team and other key stakeholders.
• Identify and develop future leaders within the project planning team, creating opportunities for advancement and succession planning to ensure continuity of leadership and talent within the organization.

Required 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;
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in engineering or construction;
• Minimum of 3 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;
• Understanding of solar module manufacturing and O&M experience is a plus;
• 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

SALARY RANGE FOR POSITION

The anticipated starting pay range of this position, which is tolocated in Irvine, CA is $155,000 – $180,000 base salary per year.

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. 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. 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.

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 25% 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)

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.

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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