Construction Project Manager

Overview

The Australian Construction team is hiring a Construction Project Manager (PM) who will be fully responsible for the construction of a large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project that has just commenced construction in Western Australia, on a full-time basis. The Construction PM will provide technical and contractual support to the local Development team to achieve Financial Close. The Construction PM is fully responsible for achieving the project’s agreed KPIs, including HSE, implementation schedule, cost and quality.

Neoen seeks an experienced, process-driven professional with strong ability to manage EPC contracts, some client-side project management experience, the ability to work independently and efficiently, and the capacity to lead a team of internal and external resources to achieve project objectives from the asset owner perspective. Previous experience with BESS and/or wind farm delivery is essential, with an understanding of the grid connection process and approvals. The position is based in Perth, reports to Neoen’s Head of Construction - Australia, and will involve regular travel to the facility near Perth’s CBD.

Key responsibilities during the Project implementation phases: Construction, commissioning & closing

The following list summarizes the main duties for the position during the Construction phase:

• Planning / preparation
• HSE, Community Relations, Heritage management plans (if not completed yet)
• Risk & opportunity re-assessments and constant management – Owner’s Engineer (OE) management
• EPC logistics plan for equipment and services
• Project governance, reporting & communication with stakeholders
• Environmental approval, secondary permit and management plan compliance
• QA/QC plan – project controls (costs, schedule, risks)
• Documentation management
• Approval to Energise / Approval to Commission processes with support from grid-experts
• Execution
• HSE Plan implementation (Safety in Design, HAZCON, HAZOP, etc.) and enforcement, environmental approval and management plan compliance
• Detailed design (by EPC) and review (coordinated with OE, when applicable)
• Day-to-day construction management (coordination of stakeholders)
• EPC contract administration including management of EPC payment processes and upholding owners’ rights while ensuring compliance
• Management of change (variations, extension of time, claims, permitting) with continuous improvement and knowledge sharing
• Control
• HSE, development approval and connection agreements permitting and other compliance items
• Design review comments, change approvals
• Quality control of work (inspections, quantity and quality surveys, corrective actions)
• Time schedule management (detailed implementation schedule, critical path, gap analysis, corrective actions)
• Financials (budget at completion, payment claims)
• Risk analysis and mitigation
• Project reporting

Key responsibilities during the Commissioning and Project Closing phase

• Planning / preparation
• Completion of connection assets / handover of assets to TNSP / achievement of load/generator registration
• Testing and commissioning procedures
• SCADA review, implementation and training of Neoen’s Operational Control Centre (24/7)
• Commissioning test plan (FAT, SAT, Practical Completion, Performance guarantees, Final Completion)
• Execution
• Supervision of EPC’s works including commissioning tests
• Expedition of corrective works
• Administration of contractual terms
• Construction closing including defect and punch listing
• Pre-Start up safety tests
• Completion of Hold Point testing and all testing required to achieve full production
• Control
• Tests documentation administration
• Financial controls (payments, LDs assessments, claims closing)
• Final risk analysis and mitigation plan
• Compliance documentation (HSE O&M plan, as-constructed drawings, construction & operation permitting changes)
• Complete handover to Asset Management team following Practical Completion
• Ongoing monitoring and closing of punch list items during DLP (if contract is extended)

Key Stakeholders relationships

• PPA / Off-taker as applicable
• Lenders or their agents
• EPC and other Contractors
• Regulatory Authorities including the AEMO and TNSP
• Technical Consultants
• Neoen Development Project Manager
• Neoen Asset Manager
• Owner’s Engineers
• Independent Certifier / Lender’s Technical Advisor

Required skills and experience

• Industrial project engineering background (process / civil / mechanical / electrical / utilities / environment)
• Minimum of 6 years relevant experience
• Experience in large power projects is essential (> 200 M$)
• Successful experience in large EPC contract management in the region
• Split contract experience is advantageous given project size
• Technical expertise in renewable energy plants and equipment (battery, wind and/or solar) and associated electrical equipment
• Understanding and experience of management of connection procedures
• Past implementation of HSE and QA/QC procedures during project construction
• Project management controls (budgeting, cost controls, work progress schedule, QA/QC controls)
• Procurement / contract negotiation skills
• HAZID, HAZCON, HAZOPS implementation experience
• Management of Change procedures
• Strong leadership, communication and negotiation skills
• Autonomy – ability to work independently to minimum standards set by Neoen management
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage local constraints (community, landowners, etc.)