Construction Manager

About the role

AES is the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries. Ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, AES provides electricity for millions of people worldwide. We foster a strong workplace culture, recognized in Great Place to Work™ rankings, and have been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the safety department to ensure all safety goals are the highest priority.
• Ensure the company is represented in accordance with AES Renewables & Power corporate values.
• Establish transparent and respectful communication between the project construction team and landowners, including regular updates and addressing concerns (e.g., dust, noise, property boundaries).
• Manage on-site monthly/weekly drone photo progress updates.
• Proactively identify and assist the EPC in managing site environmental and safety impacts.
• Facilitate communication between the DEQ, AHJ, and the EPC on environmental community concerns and impacts.
• Deliver projects in line with company expectations, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Prepare and manage the project execution plan, including the project schedule, kickoff meetings, and project closeout in coordination with the PM team.
• Manage and direct AES-hired on-site contract employees (QC/Safety/Commissioning) and verify/approve time records weekly.
• Work with the project management team to manage all contracts (prime and subcontracts), including change orders and documentation of variances.
• Serve as the onsite owner’s representative monitoring utility-scale solar construction completed by third-party EPC contractors.
• Cultivate positive working relationships with third-party EPC contractors.
• Manage the construction of utility-scale solar and Battery Energy Storage (BESS) projects to contract and permit requirements, including schedule, budget, and scope of work.
• Complete daily safety walks and submit reports into project software, ensuring deficiencies are corrected.
• Manage internal safety goals with third-party EPC contractors.
• Attend internal and external meetings (e.g., daily, weekly) as necessary.
• Track project progress against the schedule and manage remediation plans in coordination with the Project PM.
• Discuss daily objectives with the third-party EPC contractor and report perceived risks or issues.
• Verify and sign off on construction milestones (civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical) and update internal tracking software.
• Ensure thorough and quality work by verifying items against scopes of work and design plans to minimize punch lists.
• Verify third-party EPC contractors adhere to QA/QC plans.
• Work with in-house engineering to provide information and attend job walks for reports from third-party independent engineers.
• Collect third-party EPC deliverables and upload them to an internal data room or distribute them for sign-off (e.g., test reports, progress reports).
• Review draft invoices with the third-party EPC contractor and verify work completed.
• Serve as the first line of defense against proposed change orders, escalating to the internal Project Manager as necessary.
• Proactively communicate and manage an ongoing punch list with the third-party EPC contractor, from Mechanical Completion to final completion.
• Review and approve EPC invoicing monthly with the PM team.

Core Competencies

• Proven ability to motivate others, both internal and external to AES.
• Team player supporting internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships inside and outside the organization.
• Strong proficiency in written and verbal communication.
• Ability to solicit support for ideas and solutions from others.
• Skill in identifying information needed to clarify or remedy project issues, using effective questioning to draw out solutions.
• Anticipate implications, impacts, and consequences of decisions, and prepare contingency plans.
• Demonstrate technical knowledge and skill in utility-scale solar and BESS construction.
• Take initiative to identify actions or change initiatives to maintain project schedule and budget, following the Way of Execution (WOE) guides and Project Execution Plan (PEP).
• Drive thorough work completion and follow up to ensure commitments are fulfilled.
• Self-directed, proactive, solution-oriented, and collaborative team leadership.
• Ability to lead and complete physically rigorous site inspections before and during construction.
• Expertise in QA/QC, punch list creation and verification, and commodity tracking in all environmental conditions.
• Extensive knowledge of Procore and its daily use.
• Ability to operate Google Earth/ARC GIS software.

Requirements

• 5 years of onsite utility-scale solar, battery storage, and/or substation construction management (large-scale power, oil & gas, or chemical construction project experience also considered).
• Advanced knowledge of construction management processes, means, and methods.
• Expert knowledge of building products, construction details, and relevant rules, regulations, and quality standards.
• Bachelor of Science degree preferred, but not required.
• OSHA 30 certified.
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to changing software and technology needs.
• Willingness to travel and be on-site 5 days a week.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel; knowledge of Procore is a plus.
• Ability to work in various climates and walk sites for inspections and other requirements.
• FAA 107 license preferred (training and certification will be reimbursed).