Technical Operations Manager

**Title**:Technical Operations Manager

**Reporting Line**: Technical Operations (Global Head)

**Employment Category**: Full-time

**Location**: Hybrid working, ideally from a base in Milan; however, London is also feasible

**Company**:WiseEnergy

**THE ROLE**

We have an opportunity for an experienced leader, with deep and broad technical expertise in renewable energy to join the Technical Operations team of WiseEnergy, a leading global asset manager, which is part of the NextEnergy Group.

You should have a solid base of knowledge and experience in solar PV; however, other expertise in other technologies such as wind and battery storage are also highly valued. The primary purpose of the role is to support our operational asset management teams to drive the superior performance of assets under management, and to that end, you will also play a key role in defining and executing the global technical strategy.

In addition to overseeing daily activities when needed and helping team members solve problems and continuously improve, you will provide valuable support and mentorship to colleagues at all levels in the technical operations department. Our team is largely concentrated in London and Milan, with staff also located in Hyderabad, USA, Chile, Portugal, Poland and Spain.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**

**INNOVATION & EFFICIENCY**
- Cultivating a culture of quality, effectiveness and efficiency
- Constantly identifying and implementing process improvements
- Driving innovation projects across the company through digitalisation and efficient working methods

**STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION**
- Close collaboration with all WiseEnergy departments and Group level departments (ESG, Heads of Funds, Portfolio Managers, Construction Managers, Group Finance, IT, etc.) to help drive optimal performance of the PV plants
- Influence senior management and other stakeholders, and express complicated technical concepts concisely, simply and with impact
- Build trusting relationships with clients and effectively respond to their requirements

**TECHNICAL EXPERTISE**
- Drive superior performance (including maximizing the availability and performance ratio) of a portfolio of PV assets, and inspire their team to do the same
- Manage contractual frameworks and partnerships, and ensure the correct and on-time delivery of asset management service contracts
- Build strong relationships with O&Ms and other technical service providers to ensure they achieve, at a minimum, their contractual obligations
- Act as the senior interface on all significant technical Issues
- Manage claims against modules, inverters, transformers and any other equipment manufacturers
- Lead and participate actively in high-level meetings, including with senior clients and other senior stakeholders from areas including investment, energy sales, construction and procurement

**EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS**
- 10+ years of experience preferably in the field of renewable energy (Asset Management, Technical Advisor, Owners’ Engineer, O&M contractor, EPC, etc.) and/or in similar positions
- Engineering degree and/or relevant working experience required
- The right to work in Italy or the UK

**SKILLS & COMPETENCIES**

**LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT**
- Proven track record of setting a vision and determining a strategy for teams, and then managing that team to deliver the strategy and results (ideally with P&L accountability)
- International experience, including in at least one of the UK or Italy, as well ideally in some of the following countries: India, Spain, Portugal, US, Chile
- International experience to include both managing international technical teams (in-person and hybrid, and remote workers) as well as delivering international projects to drive the performance of PV plants
- A problem-solver with the inner drive, determination and restlessness to deliver the best-in-class technical performance of PV plants - superior technical performance of the plants under our care is a critical component of this role

**STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION**
- Strong communication skills and the ability to nurture relationships within and outside the organisation
- Robust character, able to handle conflict when it occurs, and push for the right and fair solutions when under pressure
- Be fluent in English and Italian, and exhibit excellent interpersonal and communication skills - both written and verbal. Fluency in a third language is advantageous

**TECHNICAL EXPERTISE**
- Comprehensive knowledge of and passion for the technical characteristics of renewable assets, from asset development through to asset operation and optimisation
- The ability to work independently and handle complex, high-profile projects from inception through to completion
- IT Literacy - Microsoft Office, especially Excel, PowerPoint Teams; SCADA systems (essential); and PVSyst (appreciated but not required)

**WHAT WE OFFER**
- A busy role in a supportive team, with plenty of opportuni