Manager, Operational Readiness

Lightsource bp is a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects. We are a 50:50 joint venture with bp with a mission to help drive the world’s transition to low carbon energy.
With solar set to increase tenfold in the next 20 years, we are well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. By joining the Lightsource bp team, you will ‘be the change’ on the world’s energy transition to a more sustainable future.
We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit as we continue to push the boundaries of an ever-changing energy landscape. By choosing a career with us, you can expect a challenging and fulfilling role surrounded by people who are passionate and have brilliant ideas about sustainable technology, innovation and making the world a better place.

What You’ll do

Integral role in supporting the Director of Operational Readiness, US to deliver large-scale LSbp solar plants from Construction to Operations in the Americas. Responsible for delivering safe, quality, and compliant solar projects from EPC to US Asset Services within the Americas.

Duties and Responsibilities
EPC Commissioning Support and O&M Turnover

•    Participate in the EPC Stage Gate review and sign off processes
•    Review the SCADA and PPC commissioning process to ensure the appropriate data integrations are being made and tested prior to handover to operations.
•    Lead O&M turnover calls and ensure providers are set up for success
•    Collect and manage punchlist items and represent Asset Services in closeout
•    Finalize OEM spare parts lists and ensure documentation is complete for long term operations
•    Support the onboarding process to integrate all commercial and compliance onboarding activities into the EAMs registry. 
•    Work with Development and Structure Finance team, and Finance to provide updated proforma OpEx assumptions for PV and BESS operating budgets.
•    Work cross-functionally across Legal, Procurement, Project Finance, Development, Construction, Interconnection, and throughout the global organization to support due diligence and review requests, commercial drafting of O&M and Asset

Management and EPC Agreements.  

Financial Oversight

•    Full P&L ownership of assigned assets, including revenue tracking, cost control, and variance analysis
•    Manage tax equity and lender reporting requirements, debt compliance, and liquidity forecasting
•    Oversee distributions, reserve accounts, audits, and tax filings in collaboration with accounting and legal departments
•    Approve invoices and monitor non-recurring expenses against financial targets

Commercial Management

•    Serve as primary contact for offtakers, utilities, service providers, and investors
•    Manage operation contracts (O&M, AMA, EPC, PPAs, land leases, etc.)
•    Conduct contract risk assessments, lead negotiations of amendments/renewals, and identify optimization opportunities
•    Manage warranty claims, performance guarantees, and OEM relationships

Technical Operations

•    Oversee day-to-day operations of utility-scale solar assets, ensuring, safety, compliance, and performance
•    Partner with O&M providers to monitor and improve plant performance
•    Lead root cause analysis for performance deviations and outages
•    Develop maintenance plans, technical audits, and performance optimization strategies
•    Support NERC, environmental, and regulatory compliance requirements

General & Strategic Responsibilities

•    Serve as the operation lead across both commissioning and steady-state operations
•    Collaborate cross-functionally with Development, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and Compliance teams
•    Maintain auditable project documentation and report for internal and external stakeholders
•    Contribute to refinancing, M&A diligence, and strategic growth initiatives
•    Represent Lightsource bp for all external stakeholders

Who we’re looking for    

Knowledge
•    Pragmatic, creative problem-solver
•    Ability to work well in a diverse environment
•    Comfortable managing both internal and external stakeholders
•    Microsoft Office Suite skills, particularly in Excel and Word
•    Strong understanding of the EPC construction process

Qualifications
•    5+ years’ experience in renewable operations with at least 2 years responsible for projects in the start-up and commissioning phase
•    Have demonstrated commercial acumen, in addition to technical abilities, overall sound business judgement as well as the ability to direct the company's business strategies in the US marketplace.
•    Keen understanding of technical design drawings and specifications include PV plant and HV substation drawings
•    Solid understanding of project finance, legal contracts, accounting, and contract negotiations.
•    2+ years experience leading and managing O&M technicians is preferrable
•    Superior ability to exercise judgment, discretion, and initiative in managing multiple projects.
•    Problem solving skills, self-motivated, and ability to work with little supervision or guidance to independently research, understand, and implement knowledge in new areas.
 
Experience
•    Must be able to foster a positive and inspiring team environment with an open communication culture.
•    Strong communication skills and the ability to form partnerships and influence key stakeholders are essential for this position.
•    Thorough understanding of solar project life-cycle
•    Strong familiarity with solar power plant asset management and operations
•    Detailed understanding of key project documents and milestones

Why you’ll make a great member of the team   

Personal qualities
•    Comfortable in a highly visible role, outspoken, not content to be an individual contributor
•    Desire to interact with a broad spectrum of stakeholders both internal and external
•    Ability to organize workload and priorities to maximum effect for both yourself and the wider team
•    Flexible approach in a fast-paced business which is constantly changing, and ability to keep a clear head under pressure
•    Drive accountability, refine workflow and process on the fly
•    Methodical problem solver, able to identify and address critical project risks
•    Set high standards of performance for yourself
•    Ability to pick up systems and processes quickly
•    Previous demonstrable experience where excellent attention to detail is critically important

We offer

•    Competitive compensation: 125,000 to 137,000 annually plus a 15% annual bonus.
•    Health, dental, prescription, and vision care for US team members starts on your first day of employment with zero premiums for employee-only coverage.
•    Retention bonuses
•    Four weeks of vacation and three weeks of sick leave annually plus 11 paid holidays
•    401(k) plan, with a 3% nonelective employer contribution. 
•    Hybrid working environment (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday in office, Monday and Friday remote)
•    Monthly personal phone bill reimbursement of up to $100 and a monthly commuter benefit of up to $150.
•    Lifestyle Savings Account and more!

Why you’ll want to work with us    

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow – a place where your ideas and opinions matter.
Be you: We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.
Be responsible: Our culture is driven by our core values. From operating safely to ensuring our solar projects are responsible and promote biodiversity. 
Be recognized: Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension, and other local benefits.
Be inspired: Join an agile, international team working across 15 countries to power the future and positively impact people, communities, ecosystems and biodiversity across the world.
Our core values: Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low-carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.  

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status.   Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation related to LSbp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.).  If you would like to request an accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us to request accommodations.