Group Head of Asset Management, Operations & Maintenance at Millar Cameron

THE ROLE

• PowerGen Renewable Energy (PowerGen) is an innovative and dynamic renewable energy company that is designing, building and operating next generation off-grid energy utilities, or PowerGrids, that provide clean, affordable power to underserved communities in Africa. It is involved in the full development lifecycle from advising governments and donors on policy frameworks and project feasibility, to sourcing mini-grid sites, offering EPC and project management services as well as providing customer and asset management services.
• PowerGen is recruiting a full-time Group Head of Asset Management, Operations & Maintenance to establish the Asset Management function and to lead, manage and develop the existing geographically disbursed O&M team. They will ensure the effective and efficient running of the existing portfolio of over 200 power systems spread across 4 countries, delivering more than 2 GWh of power to 27,000 residential and commercial customers.
• Working closely with the engineering, finance, and operation teams, the Asset Management Manager will be responsible for operating and maintaining the assets to optimize system performance and maximize the return on investment over the 25+ year life of the facilities. The role will also include the structuring, growing, and managing of a team in line with the growth of the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Leading and managing the overall technical and commercial performance of PowerGen’s operating portfolio of projects and ensuring assets are managed safely, in an environmentally, technically, contractually and commercially compliant fashion to company and international standards.
• Managing and optimising the performance monitoring, reporting, and contract management systems at a portfolio level.
• Providing commissioning support to the project execution teams to facilitate effective handover from delivery to operation. Ensuring that effective O&M plans are in place and fully resourced.
• Delivering lowest life cycle operational costs and highest asset availability whilst continuously evaluating the O&M contracting strategy to optmise cost and performance.
• Defining/enhancing Asset Management and O&M processes, team capability and analysis to optimise asset performance across the portfolio.
• Driving innovation of hardware and software configuration (SCADA) to optimize performance and efficient management, invoicing, and reporting Upskill the O&M team and processes in line with PowerGen’s growing pipeline of larger, more complex and grid connected projects.
• Increase analytical rigour and effective use of analytical tools within the function.
• Qualified candidates for the Group Head of Asset Management, Operations & Maintenance will be of demonstrably high calibre with a track record of establishing and leading an asset management/O&M function ideally gained within the power utility or distribution sector.

They are likely to have the following skills, experience and approach:

• At least 7 years of relevant working experience ideally gained in an electricity utility, distribution company or power project developer/operator.
• A successful track record of operating or managing a portfolio of medium to large scale energy generation projects.
• Knowledge of power generation, storage and grid technologies, ideally including an understanding of medium voltage supply.
• Understanding of the power system asset management environment including contracting structures, performance metrics, and guarantee structures, technical innovations, commercial and financial considerations.
• Understanding of key aspects that govern the configuration requirements of hybrid plants for different technologies
• Well-developed financial modelling and commercial skills necessary to evaluate and optimise asset performance against business plans.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and outlook with the ability to operate in a fast moving and challenging environment.
• Able to define and implement appropriate structures, processes and policies in line with recognised international industry standards.
• A strong intellect and a ‘sharp and hungry’ outlook with the tenacity, resilience and cultural sensitivity to work effectively in an African context.