Director of Preconstruction

Title: Director of Preconstruction
Department: Preconstruction
Location: Ankeny, IA
Supervisor: Senior Director of Project Preconstruction
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status: Remote

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 Director of Preconstruction will play a vital role as a key member of the EPC management team the Director is expected to draw upon a fundamental construction and engineering background and direct experience to lead all preconstruction and estimating efforts in support of the successful build out of MW scale ground mount PV and ESS power plants. The Director will also build and mentor a large diverse cross functional team located throughout the Americas, as well as oversee a broad network of suppliers and partners. This position reports to the VP of PM/CM, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate.

This position is hybrid based out of the Ankeny, IA office and 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.

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

• Manage an extensive pipeline of PV solar and ESS projects from a diverse portfolio of internal developed and third-party clients.
• Lead and coordinate with the internal EPC departmental teams in the planning, estimating, and design of solar PV solutions in the Americas, which includes USA, Canada, and Latin America;
• Continuously measure and improve operational excellence, adapt and replicate best industry practices across business units to create highly competitive EPC organization;
• Establish and maintain positive and effective relationships and communication with client, Construction Manager, project team, consultants/architect/engineers, subcontractors, adjacent community, trade unions, governmental agencies.
• Be accountable to develop and successfully execute on cost reduction programs through value engineering evaluations, optimization of project execution, people, processes, and technologies;
• Cooperation with Project Management, Engineering, and Construction teams to improve design efficiency in terms of cost reduction through value engineering and to resolve technical issues on site;
• Collaborate with the Procurement team to develop and maintain a cost history database to be used in developing budgets and estimates throughout the preconstruction phase.Working with Procurement team and process, while working closely with counterparts in other geographical regions to develop synergies and standardize components;
• Work closely with the Project Control and Cost Management teams to successfully bid and win large scale ground mount PV power plants
• Develop preconstruction schedule and monitor progress utilizing project management and scheduling software accurately.
• Provide construction expertise and insight to accurately gauge project potential and highlight key risk areas; Participate in interviews and interview preparations for negotiated bids;
• Prepare and submit contract documents for legal and risk reviews
• Manage day-to-day operations through an effective action-oriented approach, provide executive level mentorship and leadership· to employees within the Preconstruction team;
• Organize and lead the transition meeting between the project execution team and the preconstruction team and coordinate the follow-up meetings.
• Hire and actively develop pre-construction and estimating staff. Facilitate comprehensive training and development of staff for successful careers with Qcells, and in the industry.
• Facilitate operational analysis process with execution team at the end of projects to report lessons learned for implementation in future project bids.
• Provide weekly updates and summary reports of key issues and project status to top management including Korea; and
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Executive Management.
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position

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 12 years of experience in engineering or construction
• Minimum of 8 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

EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Able to climb and maintain balance on ladders, scaffolding, stairways, etc.
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, or work at elevated heights as well as in confined spaces (towers, vessels, excavations, etc.)
• Able to walk or move continuosuly while carrying 50 lbs. of tools and/or materials. It is recommended to get assistance to lift items over 50 lbs. Check with your project supervisor or project safety director.
• Must be able to stand or walk for long periods of time
• Must be able to work extended hours on your feet on uneven surfaces (dirt, concrete, asphalt, mud, gravel, etc.) Full range of motion and flexibility consistent with requirements of the job duties.
• Requires repetitive movement
• Travel: up to 40% as needed

LOCATION

• Industrial construction sites and/or fabrication shop

EXAMPLES OF MOBILITY BARRIERS ACCESS TO JOB SITE

• Uneven ground level
• Obstructed pathways
• Work performed at low and/or high elevations
• Work performed in confined areas

CLIMATIC/ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS AT JOB SITE

• Predominately outdoor climate
• May be exposed to extreme hot or cold weather
• Excessive humidity, rain, etc.
• Various noise levels caused by tools, machinery, equipment, etc.
• Potential exposure to chemical substances• Work performed around hazardous equipment.

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.

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