Otter Energy is one of Ontario’s largest and most established solar energy companies, with its roots in solar project construction and maintenance. Otter is looking for a full-time Senior Project Manager – Utility Scale Solar Ground-Mount Projects that is passionate about energy and sustainability.
JOB SUMMARY:
As a Senior Project Manager – Utility Scale Solar Ground-Mount Projects, you will work closely with the Engineering, Operations, and Sales teams on a portfolio of ground mount projects. This is a vital role that will focus on multiple areas within the organization. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will maintain an open line of communication with several internal and external stakeholders and will be responsible for multiple aspects of the design phases. You will also oversee process management, including administration, data management, and coordinating the post-sale processes. This is an incredible opportunity for you to use your previous educational and career experiences while working within a fast-growing organization.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide overall leadership and accountability for solar ground-mount projects from project award through final completion.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive project execution plans, schedules, budgets, and resource requirements.
- Lead projects through engineering, permitting, procurement, mobilization, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
- Maintain a clear understanding of the contractual obligations and execution plans.
- Establish project objectives, milestones, deliverables, and performance metrics.
- Clearly communicate with internal and external stakeholders
- Coordinate internal teams, consultants, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, utilities, authorities having jurisdiction, and project stakeholders.
- Identify project risks and develop mitigation and contingency plans.
- Proactively resolve project issues and make timely decisions to maintain project momentum.
- Oversee field construction activities, ensuring work is completed in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, contracts, schedules, and quality standards.
- Coordinate civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, and commissioning activities.
- Manage installation of ground-mount solar systems, including site preparation, grading, roads, drainage, foundations/piles, racking, modules, DC collection, inverters, MV systems, transformers, and associated electrical infrastructure.
- Work closely with Site Superintendents and field teams to ensure efficient project execution.
- Monitor construction productivity and identify opportunities to improve cost, schedule, and overall project performance.
- Ensure proper coordination between construction activities and utility/interconnection requirements.
- Track commitments, purchase orders, subcontractor costs, change orders, and project expenditures.
- Maintain and update detailed project schedules and critical-path activities.
- Monitor progress against baseline schedule and budget and implement corrective actions when required.
- Prepare regular project status reports, including schedule, cost, risk, procurement, quality, safety, and overall project performance.
- Coordinate procurement of major equipment, materials, and services.
- Manage subcontractor and vendor relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
- Review scopes of work, bids, contracts, purchase orders, and subcontractor schedules.
- Monitor subcontractor performance, productivity, quality, safety, and contractual compliance.
- Negotiate change orders, commercial issues, and project claims in coordination with senior management.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & KEY COMPETENCIES:
- Excellent organizational skills
- Flexibility to adjust and shift priorities to meet changing/concurrent deadlines
- Ability to read contracts, blueprints, schematics, field drawings, and plans
- Commitment to working in a team environment, with established team-building abilities
- Strong communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills
- Results-oriented individual with the ability to interpret and effectively manage multiple and competing priorities and timelines
- Highly effective conflict resolutions skills
- Ability to work well independently and in a team environment
- Utility-scale ground-mount solar PV system design and construction
- Civil & Site Construction Knowledge
- Electrical & Grid-Interconnection Knowledge
- Construction Management Knowledge
- Project Controls Knowledge
- Procurement & Supply Chain Knowledge
- Contract & Commercial Knowledge
- Commissioning & Handover Knowledge
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Completion of a University Degree or College Diploma in Management, Engineering, or Safety
- 8–12+ years of project management experience, preferably in renewable energy, power generation, or large-scale construction.
- 5+ years managing solar PV projects, ideally ground-mount, utility-scale, or large commercial solar projects.
- Utility Scale Solar Ground-Mount Project
- Valid Ontario driver’s license & vehicle is MANDATORY
- Knowledge of local, provincial, and federal workplace compliance regulations, ordinances, and legislation
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft computer software (ie Excel, Word, etc.) and email
- Working at Heights certificate an asset
- Experience managing projects from development/design through procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
- Proven experience managing multi-million-dollar projects, budgets, schedules, contracts, and project teams.
- Experience with project controls, including cost forecasting, schedule management, change orders, risk registers, and progress reporting.
- Experience managing contractual issues, claims, delays, scope changes, and vendor performance.
- Experience coordinating EPC contractors, subcontractors, engineering consultants, equipment suppliers, utilities, landowners, and government authorities.
- Demonstrated experience leading project teams and resolving complex technical and commercial issues.
- Strong understanding of solar construction activities, including: Site preparation and grading; Pile driving/foundations; Racking and module installation; DC/AC electrical installation; Inverters and transformers; MV collection systems; Substations and transmission interconnection; SCADA/communications; Testing and commissioning
WHAT WE OFFER:
Otter Energy offers a generous employee reward package that includes:
- Competitive compensation & annual bonuses
- Comprehensive extended health and dental benefits
- Continuous training and professional development
- Work remotely with the support of a team of seasoned solar experts
Job Types: Permanent, Full-time
Pay: From $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Work from home
Flexible language requirement:
Application question(s):
- This position is based in Ontario; are you willing to relocate to Ontario?
Experience:
- ground-mount: 2 years (preferred)
- Project Management: 4 years (preferred)
- Solar: 3 years (preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
