Construction Contract Manager, Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer (IPP)

Company Overview

rPlus is a team of committed energy industry professionals working together to develop large-scale renewable energy generation and electric storage projects in the United States. rPlus is a market leader in the western US with a proven track record of delivering projects to utility and corporate customers on time and on budget. rPlus specializes in bringing projects to market through partnership with the private sector, municipalities, utilities, and industry-leading technology and service providers. Its portfolio consists of a strategic mix of solar, solar plus battery, wind, and pumped storage hydro facilities. rPlus is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and is backed by Gardner Group and Sandbrook Capital.

Position Overview

The Construction Contract Manager serves as the owner's representative responsible for administering Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts for utility-scale renewable energy projects. This mid-level position is responsible for direct oversight and management of EPC contractors during the construction of large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), ensuring contract compliance, strong contractor relationships, managing financial processes, and delivering completed projects safely, on schedule, while protecting the owner's interests throughout project construction and commissioning.

Reports to: [COO]

Key Interactions:

- Senior Procurement Manager (contract handoff)

- Development team (permit/AHJ compliance, interconnection coordination, land access)

- Engineering Manager (technical review)

- Finance team (payments & change orders)

- Legal team (enforcement/disputes)

- Asset Management (project closeout/transition)

Key Responsibilities

Contract Administration

- Assist in the selection of EPC Contractor as well as with initial EPC Contract negotiations; assume contract administration responsibility at contract award.

- Serve as primary point of contact between the owner and EPC contractors for all contract-related matters, including Change Orders

- Administer and enforce terms and conditions of EPC contracts in accordance with project requirements

- Maintain comprehensive contract documentation, correspondence, and records throughout project lifecycle

- Track and manage contract milestones, deliverables, and performance metrics

- Coordinate with legal counsel on contract interpretation and dispute resolution matters

Financial Management

- Review, process, and recommend approval or rejection of contractor pay applications

- Verify that payment requests align with completed work, contract terms, and approved schedules

- Manage lien waiver collection and processing

- Track and reconcile contract values, change orders, and budget allocations

- Maintain accurate payment records and forecasts for project financial reporting

- Monitor and track EPC firm’s adherence to contractual Prevailing Wage requirements

Change Order Management

- Evaluate contractor-proposed change orders for technical merit, cost reasonableness, and schedule impact

- Negotiate change order pricing, terms, and conditions to achieve favorable outcomes for the owner

- Prepare change order recommendations with supporting analysis and documentation

- Coordinate change order review and approval process with internal stakeholders

- Maintain change order logs and track cumulative impacts to project budget and schedule

- Performance Monitoring & Compliance

- Monitor contractor performance against contract requirements, specifications, and quality standards

- Conduct regular site visits to verify work progress and quality of construction

- Review contractor submittals, including quality control documentation and test results

- Identify and document non-compliance issues and manage resolution processes

- Ensure strict compliance with safety requirements and protocols

- Verify completion of warranty requirements and punch list items

- Execute project closeout and transition to asset management including final documentation, warranty transfer, O&M manual delivery, and as-built drawings

Skill Requirements

Education & Experience

- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or related field

- Minimum 5-7 years of experience in construction contract administration or management

- Proven experience managing EPC contractors on utility-scale solar PV projects (100 MW+ preferred)

- Direct experience with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) construction projects

Technical Knowledge

- Thorough understanding of EPC contract structures, terms, and risk allocation

- Working knowledge of solar PV and BESS construction methods, materials, and standards

- Familiarity with industry standard contract forms (e.g., ConsensusDocs, EJCDC, AIA)

- Understanding of construction scheduling methods (CPM scheduling preferred)

- Knowledge of renewable energy industry codes, standards, and best practices

Skills & Competencies

- Strong contract negotiation and commercial acumen

- Excellent analytical skills with ability to evaluate complex financial and technical proposals

- Proficiency in contract management and document control systems

- Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel for financial analysis

- Strong written and verbal communication skills

- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and technical specifications

- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities

- Problem-solving mindset with ability to work effectively under pressure

Other Requirements

- Ability to travel to project sites (up to 30-40%)

- Valid driver's license

- Ability to work in outdoor construction environments and navigate active job sites

- Professional certifications (CCM, PMP, PE) are a plus but not required

- Experience working as an owner's representative or in owner-side project management roles strongly preferred