Vice President, Construction

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Rome

Description

Cubico Sustainable Investments develops, builds and operates a diverse portfolio of renewable energy assets globally.. In Italy, Cubico is developing a rapidly maturing pipeline of wind, solar photovoltaic (including agriPV) and BESS projects. The Vice President, Construction will join at a key moment in the evolution of Cubico’s Italian business and play a crucial role in the delivery of projects from late stage development through to COD.  The Vice President, Construction's initial focus will be as an influential member of a core delivery team that will include development, legal and commercial representatives to drive the projects to NTP, before taking on full construction management and project delivery responsibilities. The role will report to the Italy Country Manager and will have a dotted line to the Global Head of Construction. The ideal profile will be open and outward-looking by nature, self-motivated, with well-rounded interpersonal skills, used to working in high performing and flexible teams and able to deliver under tight deadlines and complex negotiation situations. An engineering/technical background is required, with strong project management and negotiation skills and the ability to understand the commercial drivers of their actions. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in the planning, contracting and delivery of utility scale renewable energy projects. An awareness of project finance principles will be advantageous.  Location:  Based in Milan or Rome offices (hybrid), or remote with monthly office visits. 

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Construction Phase

• For upcoming Italian projects, manage the entire preconstruction phase from a technical perspective from late stage of development to notice to proceed (ready to shovel) status, coordinating the input from local and central team members as required.
• Act as a key member of a multi-disciplinary project delivery team, tasked to commercialise the projects and prepare them for a successful construction phase (delivered to time, quality and budget with the highest HSE standards)
• Lead the tendering and support negotiation of EPC, BOP, Owners Engineer and equipment supply contracts as required, working closely with the Procurement, Technical and Commercial functions
• Support the definition and optimisation of key project information including: schedule, CAPEX, OPEX and other technical assumptions.
• Proactively work to identify project risks and opportunities together with action plans to mitigate/realise them.
• Work with internal and external technical and engineering teams to ensure an optimal solution (in terms of LCOE) for all aspects of projects: technology, design, site studies, etc.
• Proactively work with the development team to derisk and progress grid connection works and late development activities.
• Ensure that Cubico’s governance processes are implemented across all projects, maintaining strong project documentation management throughout.
• Evaluate new projects opportunities under development in collaboration with the local development team.
• Plan the transition into construction well in advance, ensuring a comprehensive handover and lessons learned package is prepared.
• Support the definition of ongoing resourcing plans to grow the Italian delivery team in line with portfolio growth/progression.

Construction Phase

• Lead and supervise project construction activities, from remaining pre-construction through to a successful transition into operations. 
• Lead by example on safety and act as a role model
• Ensure key contractors have adequate project controls in place, and maintain overall project controls 
• Work closely with key contractors and stakeholders (i.e lender’s technical advisor, utility/interconnection companies, owner’s engineer, local councils etc), building strong relationships while monitoring performance and enforcing contractual provisions as needed.
• Management of the implementation and supervision plan for the Owner. Finalising the company’s Project Execution Plan, ensuring the main contractors have adequate controls implemented.
• Proactively following/leading the progress of grid connection works, monitoring the progress of the connection solution and supporting the Grid Operator management;
• Provide contract management and change control management.
• Lead a high-performing project team, including owners engineer team and support functions 
• Actively manage the interface between different contractors and stakeholders in order to minimise project risk, particularly with regard to schedule slippage and cost overruns.  
• Ensure that Cubico’s governance processes are implemented across all projects, maintaining strong project documentation management throughout.
• Chair monthly Steering Committees and prepare the required reporting aligned with company requirements.
• Plan the transition into operations well in advance, working closely with Asset Management to prepare for a comprehensive handover and lessons learned package.
• Support the definition of ongoing resourcing plans to grow the Italian Construction team in line with portfolio growth/progression.

Key Internal Stakeholders

• Country Head
• Global Head of Construction
• Development Team
• Commercial Team
• Procurement Team
• Central Technical/Construction Teams

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Degree level qualification in engineering or similar technical discipline.
• Demonstrable experience and successful track record in the pre- construction and construction phase of Solar PV and Wind Projects (BESS experience would be advantageous) either as an owner, EPC contractor or investor.
• Experience of leading a project team is essential; formal project management training/certification would be beneficial.
• Significant and active experience in creatively solving the complex technical and commercial challenges typically experienced in the development and delivery of renewable energy projects.
• Strong commercial and contractual acumen with a proven ability to negotiate contracts typically found in utility scale renewable energy projects. 
• Working knowledge of project finance documents and how they relate to the construction of renewable energy projects.
• Knowledge of Italian grid connection process, and ideally experience in managing interconnection projects.
• Understanding of the related Italian consenting processes and requirements would be beneficial.
• Good understanding of the engineering and design process.
• Ability to work remotely and independently and be a self-starter.
• Collaborative, proactive, structured and meticulous approach.
• Strong communication skills.  Ability to explain complex technical issues and their resolution to senior stakeholders. 
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Fluent in Italian and upper intermediate level in English.
• Ability to travel within Italy.