Project Manager - Albany, United States - New York State Energy Research and Development Aut

Description

New York is leading the nation in the fight on global climate change and the transition to a clean energy-powered economy. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) ) has created the most aggressive climate change goals in the nation and requires an ambitious agenda that blends proven catalysts with innovative approaches while operating across a broader energy arena that is rapidly evolving. New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a driving force in realizing this agenda. NYSERDA works with stakeholders that span residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, universities, utilities, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, to develop, invest, and foster conditions that:

Attract the private sector capital investment needed to expand New Yorks clean energy economy.

Overcome barriers to using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.

Enable New Yorks communities and residents to benefit equitably from energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Job Overview

NYSERDAs Offshore Wind Team is leading the responsible and cost-effective procurement and development of New York States mandate of 9,000 megawatts offshore wind energy by 2035, as outlined in the Climate Act. With more than 4,300 megawatts in active development and future solicitations to select more projects to achieve the goal, New York State is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs in manufacturing, installation, and operation of offshore wind facilities by capitalizing on regional industry commitments. These jobs are expected to provide sustained career opportunities for New Yorkers for more than the 25 - year life span of these renewable energy projects by creating a new, sustainable offshore industry in the U.S.

NYSERDAs Offshore Wind Teams core workstreams include competitive procurement of new offshore wind projects to achieve 9GW by 2035; management of the growing portfolio of contracted offshore wind projects; offshore wind supply chain and port infrastructure development; transmission, cabling and interconnection efforts; regulatory processes and permitting; coordination with State and federal agencies; workforce training to support emerging jobs with a special focus on disadvantaged communities; research, analysis and engagement relating to environmental and fishing implications of offshore wind energy development; long-term planning, and: informational and educational outreach to the public and stakeholder groups. To help ensure that offshore wind energy projects are advanced responsibly and cost-effectively, NYSERDA seeks a Project Manager to join NYSERDAs Large-Scale Renewables Team to support the management of offshore wind energy projects, track industry advancement and provide project reporting.

NYSERDA serves as the central procurement entity of offshore wind renewable energy certificates (ORECs) pursuant to the terms prescribed by the New York State Public Service Commission in fulfilling the Climate Act goals. The selected individual will report to the offshore wind contract management Senior Project Manager. The selected candidate will assume responsibility for management of a portion of the more than 4.4GW of existing OREC contracts and those resulting from NYSERDAs third offshore wind solicitation (ORECRFP and beyond. The Project Manager will be responsible for the proper interpretation and implementation of all administrative requirements of the contract documents, gathering issue data from the project, apply the Contract Manager's understanding of contracting and the law to develop issue narratives recommendations as necessary. Additionally, the selected candidate will support the advancement of a contract management framework that helps to steward NYSERDAs offshore wind projects from execution through commercial operations, including such activities as contract management systems and processes to support project tracking, reporting, and oversight from contracting through commissioning and into project operation. Additionally, the selected candidate will help track progress of the offshore wind industry in the U.S. and overseas. Finally, as an integral member of NYSERDAs Offshore Wind Team, the selected candidate will support the management of New York State's goal of installing at least 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035.

Primary Responsibilities

Directly manage NYSERDAs offshore wind OREC contracts including:

Engagement with external project partners including offshore wind development teams, supply chain investment partners, contractors, and others to gather technical and regulatory insights into project status and progress

Gathering issue data from the project and applying the Contract Manager's understanding of contracting and the law to develop issue narratives and recommendations

Conduct periodic issue meetings with project personnel to review and negotiate changes to the contract or interpretation/negotiation of deliverables

Work with procurement team to plan effective implementation/deployment of new contracts

Support internal communications related to project reporting and milestones, presenting complex contracting issues to leadership

Communicate guidelines and guidance to external partners, as necessary, on behalf of NYSERDA

Support and adapt the existing framework developed to manage NYSERDAs contracted offshore wind project portfolio including:

Stakeholder engagement and collaboration with NYSERDAs Offshore Wind Team to support program, policy and procurement evolution, including lessons learned from executed contracts

Design and deploy improvements to contract management processes that enable NYSERDA to contract for new solicitations, manage risk, simplify customer and partner interfaces, better support internal workflow, enable programmatic flexibility, support robust reporting, better manage knowledge, and reduce cost

Engage and manage external contractors to support the contract management framework

Track and report industry advancements and innovation in the U.S. and overseas

Support, track and implement best practices from NYSERDAs land-based renewables teams, NYSERDAs administrative teams broadly, and best practices for contract management of renewable energy projects in industry

Coordinate documentation and reporting consistent with the magnitude of the undertaking on behalf of the States ratepayers

Engage with members of New York States Offshore Wind Regulatory Working Group and other intra-State coordination efforts to advance offshore wind as an industry and New Yorks offshore wind projects

Utilize NYSERDAs enterprise performance management systems including Salesforce and other platforms to support the contract management process and produce quality and detailed reports

Collaborate with members of the Large-Scale Renewable Team and broader NYSERDA teams to seek programmatic and systemic efficiencies relating to contract management activities including NYGATS reporting, invoicing and accounting, and Load Serving Entity implementation planning

Support the Offshore Wind Teams programmatic engagement with stakeholders

Perform other tasks as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

3 years of relevant experience in renewable energy and/or management of complex contracts

Strong quantitative and analytical skills particularly in such fields as economic benefits, renewable energy offtake agreements, and related project finance revenues including wholesale energy and REC markets

Strong database, systems, and reporting skills with a focus on accuracy and quality control

Proficiency in technical writing/editing skills

Bachelor's degree, in engineering, economics, construction management or related discipline; an advanced degree preferred

High degree of personal integrity and respect for confidentiality

Superior organizational, time management and interpersonal skills

Skill in managing multiple activities, delivering on commitments and operating with speed, accuracy and strong judgment

High level of communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills involving the ability to work cross-functionally to track and understand complex issues and communicate clearly and precisely to diverse audiences

Self-starter who acts independently, directs ones own work and can handle diverse tasks quickly and accurately within a high-performance environment

Must be adaptable, a self-starter and function well independently and in teams

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with offshore wind energy development

Knowledge of energy markets, systems and policies, renewable energy technology and associated infrastructure

Experienced in renewable energy project development or renewable energy finance, utility operations or independent system operator functions, ideally with experience relating to offshore wind.

Strong stakeholder outreach and engagement capabilities including advanced public-speaking and presentation skills

Experience with environmental permitting and/or working with regulators

Proficiency in a Spanish, Mandarin or Arabic

NYSERDA is exclusively working with a recruitment partner who will be responsible for the initial screening of the resumes for this position.

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