Director of Solar Operations

Director of Solar Operations

Position Title: Director - Solar Operations

Reports To: Senior Director – Renewables Operations

Direct Reports: Yes

Functional Unit: Operations, Solar

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Type: Full-Time

Location: Remote

THE COMPANY

Onward Energy is an independent power platform that owns and operates 7.0 GW of utility-scale wind, solar and natural gas generation projects across the U.S. Our Vision is to reliably power a sustainable future. Our Mission is that as North America’s premier independent power generator, we will deliver renewable and reliable power to our customers, opportunities to our associates, sustainable returns to the families who invest in us, and a better world to the next generation. Based in Denver, New York and Charlotte, Onward Energy is a company where people and power are always on. We are where renewable meets reliable. See www.onwardenergy.com for more information.

THE CHALLENGE

The Director of Solar Operations is responsible for the safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective operation of Onward Energy's solar fleet totaling over 1,800 MWdc across 36 facilities. The position provides leadership for a team of approximately 45 employees and is accountable for achieving fleet safety, availability, reliability, production, maintenance, and financial objectives.

This role drives operational excellence through strong safety leadership, development of high-performing teams, standardization of processes, continuous improvement initiatives, and effective cross-functional collaboration. The Director partners with Asset Management, Engineering, Compliance, Supply Chain, and executive leadership to maximize asset performance and long-term value.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety & Culture

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all company, regulatory, and environmental requirements.

• Lead fleet-wide safety performance, incident prevention, corrective action programs, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Operational Leadership

• Maintain overall accountability for the operational performance of the solar fleet, including safety, availability, reliability, production, maintenance execution, compliance, and budget performance.

• Ensure all contractual, regulatory, and operational obligations are fulfilled.

• Establish fleet performance objectives and drive initiatives that improve asset reliability and operational results.

• Lead operational readiness, emergency response, and business continuity activities.

People Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a geographically dispersed team of managers, supervisors, and technicians.

• Build a high-performing organization through talent development, succession planning, workforce planning, and performance management.

• Promote employee engagement and leadership development while maintaining clear expectations and accountability.

Continuous Improvement & Reliability

• Drive fleet-wide reliability and performance improvement through data analysis, root cause analysis, standardization, and best practice sharing.

• Lead initiatives that improve safety, efficiency, equipment reliability, and overall fleet performance.

• Support implementation of new technologies, predictive maintenance strategies, and operational excellence programs.

Financial & Business Management

• Develop and manage fleet operating and maintenance budgets.

• Drive cost optimization while maintaining safety, reliability, and compliance standards.

• Evaluate and recommend capital investments, major maintenance activities, life-cycle replacements, and strategic improvement projects through disciplined business case analysis.

• Support business planning activities and provide operational input for long-term asset strategies.

Stakeholder & Strategic Leadership

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to achieve operational objectives and maximize asset value.

• Provide fleet performance reporting, strategic recommendations, and operational updates to executive leadership.

• Support acquisitions, integrations, new asset onboarding, and other strategic initiatives.

THE PROFILE TO SUCCEED

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or related discipline required; MBA or advanced degree preferred. Equivalent experience may substitute for degree requirements.

• 10+ years of power generation operations experience, including significant utility-scale solar experience.

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience managing multi-site operations and teams, including at least 5 years leading an organization through subordinate managers across a broad geography.

• Self-starter able to make decisions and take action without specific direction.

• Demonstrated success building strong safety cultures and developing high-performing organizations.

• Strong knowledge of solar operations, maintenance, reliability, budgeting, compliance, and contractor management.

• Proven ability to drive operational performance improvements through data-driven decision making and continuous improvement.

• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance operational priorities and financial objectives.

• Strong proficiency in MS Office Suite, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to accomplish physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to stand, walk, talk, hear, and close and distance vision capability.

• Ability to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch.

• Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

• Valid U.S. driver’s license with acceptable MVR history.

• Ability to travel regularly, up to 45%.

THE TEAM

The Onward Energy team is comprised of industry professionals who embrace our values of accountability, adaptability, collaboration, and excellence. At Onward Energy, we seek to find solutions rather than assign blame.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position functions in a smoke and vaping free professional office environment. The role routinely utilizes standard office equipment such as a laptop computer, phone, scanner, and printer.

THE TOTAL REWARDS

Onward Energy’s total rewards philosophy is motivated by a key tenet of People First and offers associates a comprehensive total rewards package, including market competitive compensation, health, life insurance, and retirement savings benefits.

If you require an accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact recruiting@onwardenergy.com.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

To be considered for this position, applicants must have full-time authorization to work in the United States. Onward Energy does not offer visa sponsorship now or in the future.

EEO STATEMENT

Onward Energy is an Affirmative Action Employer, Females/Minority/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.