Director of Preconstruction

Description

Title: Director of Preconstruction Department: Execution Planning Office Location: Houston, Texas Supervisor: Senior Director of Project Preconstruction

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent; Full-time

Work Status: Hybrid

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 lead the internal Preconstruction Team 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 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 self-perform 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 oversees a broad network of suppliers and partners. The Director will report to the Senior Director of Project Preconstruction of Hanwha Q CELLS USA Corp., or another senior management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is remote, reporting to the Houston office, 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 30%.

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

+ Lead and manage a team of preconstruction professionals, including EPC Contracts department, Estimation, Project Management, Permitting and Project Planning, 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 preconstruction team or with external stakeholders, fostering positive working relationships and maintaining project momentum. + Champion a culture of safety within the preconstruction 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 all preconstruction 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 preconstruction operations. + Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in preconstruction and project management, sharing knowledge and insights with the team to drive innovation and improvement. + Direct the estimation team in preparing accurate and competitive bids for solar projects, utilizing HeavyBid/HCSS software and proficient knowledge of WBS codes and cost types. + Have a good understanding of market pricing for major cost categories such as inverter, tracker, module, pile, and EBOS material and installation. + Develop comprehensive project execution plans, identifying potential risks and mitigation strategies to ensure successful project execution. + Evaluate 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 preconstruction team and other key stakeholders. + Identify and develop future leaders within the preconstruction team, creating opportunities for advancement and succession planning to ensure continuity of leadership and talent within the organization.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EXAMPLE OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS

EXAMPLE OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

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.