Senior Project Manager – Utility-Scale Solar PV & BESS

Company Description

We are one of the Financial Times' Africa's Fastest Growing Companies! PowerGen ranked 40th in the overall rankings and 5th in the Energy & Utilities sector. PowerGen a leading renewable energy platform in sub-Saharan Africa. PowerGen owns and operates renewable energy and distribution utility assets to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable power to all. We are looking for professionals who want to be a part of a highly driven team which is at the forefront of the market and hungry to reshape the landscape of energy in Africa. We want leaders who are committed to the mission and able to think broadly and dynamically about a complex challenge, without losing focus on the critical day-to-day details of managing projects or a team.

Job Description

Role Purpose
The Senior Project Manager is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of a utility-scale solar PV and battery energy storage project, acting as the single point of accountability for project execution from financial close through commercial operation.
Operating in a frontier market environment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the role requires strong leadership in managing EPC contractors, logistics, regulatory engagement, and on-site construction activities.
The Senior Project Manager will coordinate the EPC contractor, Owner’s Engineer, suppliers, government authorities, and internal teams to ensure the project is delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and capable of achieving contractual performance guarantees, including firm hourly power delivery with ≥95% plant availability.
The role requires a hands-on leader capable of managing technical, commercial, and operational challenges typical of large infrastructure projects in remote environments.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:
• Engineering
• Construction Management
• Project Management
• Renewable Energy Engineering
• Professional certification preferred:
• PMP (Project Management Professional)
• Chartered Engineer/Professional Engineer registration

Required Experience

• Minimum 10–15 years of experience managing large infrastructure or renewable energy projects.
• Strong experience delivering utility-scale solar PV and battery energy storage projects.
• Experience managing projects in emerging market environments is preferred.
• Utility-Scale Project Experience Requirements
• Candidates must demonstrate:
• Lead project managers in at least three (3) renewable energy projects exceeding 30 MW each
• At least one (1) project exceeding 100 MW solar PV capacity
• Experience delivering hybrid utility scale projects incorporating solar PV, battery energy storage, diesel generation and Energy Management Systems (EMS)
• Direct involvement in:
• EPC contract management
• Construction supervision
• FAT/SAT coordination
• Commissioning management
• Commercial operation handover

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of:
• Utility-scale hybrid solar PV systems
• Client diesel generators integration
• Battery energy storage systems (BESS)
• SCADA and EMS systems
• Grid interconnection processes
• Substation and electrical balance of plant
• Renewable project commissioning and performance testing
• Understanding of engineering tools such as: PVsyst; ETAP / PSSE / PSCAD; is considered advantageous.
• Key Competencies
• Project Delivery: Ability to manage complex infrastructure projects from financial close to commercial operation.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of EPC contracts, cost control, and contractor claims management.
• Leadership & Coordination:  Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across engineering, construction, procurement, and commissioning.
• Frontier Market Infrastructure Delivery;  Ability to deliver large infrastructure projects in environments characterized by: limited transport infrastructure, complex customs procedures, remote construction sites, constrained supply chains and security considerations
• Risk Management: Strong ability to anticipate project risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Stakeholder Engagement; Effective coordination with EPC contractors, Owner’s Engineers, Utilities, Regulators and Internal leadership teams

Additional Information

• Benefits and Compensation:

A competitive package including annual compensation, performance bonuses, health insurance, professional development and team building events. And you'll be working with a dynamic team of people passionate about electrifying East  and West Africa!

Why Join Us

• Lead landmark solar hybrid projects transforming Nigeria’s and West Africa’s energy landscape.

• Be part of a fast-growing regional team with projects across Africa.

• Take ownership of complex, high-impact projects from concept to operation.