Renewable Energy Project Manager

Reports To: Vice President, Projects and Business Development

Salary Range: to be negotiated

Location: Regina or Saskatoon

To Apply: Please send cover letter and resume in WORD or PDF format to bwolbaum@fnpa.ca

First Nation Power Authority:

First Nations Power Authority (FNPA) is a non-profit organization committed to strengthen Aboriginal Members’ long-term capacity for economic prosperity by securing profitable Aboriginal-led business opportunities in the clean and renewable energy power generation sector.

Primary Purpose of Position:

The Renewable Energy Project Manager will provide a range of technical and project management support to FNPA in developing and implementing First Nations-led renewable power projects.  The position will report directly to the Vice President, Projects and Business Development.

Core responsibilities include: feasibility studies; project management expertise; financial/technical modeling; coordination and reporting of activities to successfully realize project goals; working collaboratively with both General Members and industry partners to achieve project goals and meet client expectations; and providing support in the achievement and advancement of FNPA’s corporate strategic objectives.

The position will also play a leadership role in working with various stakeholders, including SaskPower, FNPA General Members, contractors and Industry stakeholders to facilitate Aboriginal business development and investment opportunities in the power generation and renewable energy sectors.  This includes identifying and advancing opportunities such as procurement/supply chain, employment, investment, infrastructure and new business / revenue generation opportunities for FNPA and its members.

Major Responsibilities

• Help support the evaluation of projects upon completion by assessing project deliverables, setbacks, communication issues, delays or unexpected project costs.  Obtain input from team members; develop strategies to streamline processes and controls to improve quality and success for future projects.
• Facilitate project meetings, track deliverables and provide engineering technical support during all phases of the project.  Problem solve issues and provide solutions/recommendations; raise unresolved decisions and problems to the VP Projects or CEO as required for timely action.  Lead and/or manage contract negotiations with vendors.   In consultation with the other project team members, ensure suppliers, vendors and contractors adhere to their contractual obligations including quality control requirements.
• Manage project budgets and prepare progress reports for presentation to senior management and/or Board of Directors.   Review and process change orders, billing, progress payments, etc. in line with project deliverables.   Coordinate administrative, financial and corporate requirements with FNPA Finance & Operations to ensure operational procedures, approvals and information is processed in a timely, accurate manner.
• Plan, collaborate and coordinate project activities with engineering consultants, contractors and stakeholders.   Monitor and ensure compliance with specifications, codes, industry standards or client requirements.   Foster a safety-first culture for all project teams, monitoring work activities with regard for safety, cost and the environment.   Ensure that construction work is in compliance with Federal and Provincial Health and Safety Legislation.
• Participate in the project proposal preparation process.   Develop, produce and validate progress timelines and deliverable schedules, technical specifications and instructions.
• Provide support to FNPA Finance and Operations in the development of project funding and/or grant proposals.
• Provide support in the development of project financing by identifying project costs and how they may be aligned with applicable grants or funding sources.
• Review and evaluate project documentation, tenders, Expressions of Interest (EOI), Request for Quotes (RFQ), Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposals (RFP), estimates, reports and specifications to assess factors and key contributors to project success (i.e. safety, environmental, risk, availability of required resources, project milestones, financial and operational constraints, etc.).   Work closely with the FNPA’s Vice President Projects and Business Development to establish guidelines and coordinate workflow; confer with technical authorities, SaskPower, contractors, etc.
• Utilize project management principles and techniques to plan, develop, execute, control and report on all aspects of current projects.   Manage, direct and coordinate project activities, ensuring costs and timelines are in line with project requirements.
• Manage submissions, information requests and approval processes with SaskPower or other customers.
• Conduct site visits for the purpose of evaluating Community Energy, Distributed Energy and Utility-Scale power project options.
• Identify and assess project feasibility through research, financial/technical modelling, studies and consultations with business/technical authorities.   Prepare and present detailed reports and recommendations to the VP Projects for final approval.
• Project Management and Technical Support
• Member Relations and Partnership Development:
• Represent FNPA and its Members with integrity, honesty and professionalism.  Work in the best interests of the organization at all times.
• Support FNPA’s core mandate of facilitating Aboriginal participation in the renewable energy and power generation sectors by making presentations, conducting consultations and sharing knowledge with Members, government representatives, business and industry leaders, and the general public.
• Establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with FNPA staff and senior management, FNPA General Members, Industry Members, Board of Directors, SaskPower representatives, and other key stakeholders.

Corporate Leadership and Business Development

• Play a leadership role in facilitating Aboriginal business development and investment opportunities in the power generation and renewable energy sectors.  This includes identifying and advancing opportunities such as procurement/supply chain, employment, investment, infrastructure and new business / revenue generation opportunities for FNPA and its members.
• Work collaboratively as a member of the corporate and operational team to provide strategic and technical support as needed in project development.
• Maintain knowledge on current technologies, trends, and development models in the renewable energy, power generation, and transmission/distribution sectors.
• Recommend policies, procedures and standards to enhance communication and work processes between technical, management, operational and administrative teams.
• Contribute to growing FNPA’s brand, network and public credibility by building and maintaining open communications, reporting and information-sharing to continually enhance FNPA’s growth, success and industry reputation.

Critical Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

• Motivated and energetic leader, project manager and optional professional engineer designation with strong communications (oral/written), presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Able to interact positively with others by developing trust, mutual respect and cooperative working relationships.
• Trustworthy and collaborative leader, able to consider alternate viewpoints, influence, negotiate and motivate others to support project objectives.
• Strong attention to details, while keeping the big-picture project goals in mind.
• Problem solver, with active listening and critical thinking skills; able to understand complex problems, consider options and develop realistic solutions.
• Able to provide strategic business direction and draw together a multi-disciplined team to achieve project results.
• Able to proactively recognize and manage risks to project success.
• Excellent project management skills
• Financial and business administration knowledge.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, project management software.  AutoCAD/Revit skills are an asset.

Education

• Bachelor of Science, or Engineering Degree or equivalent experience is required, i.e. Electrical, Mechanical, Environmental, Industrial Systems, Process or Civil engineering discipline.
• Advantage to hold Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng) designation or eligible for registration with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS).
• PMP designation or training is an asset.  A comprehensive understanding of Project Management tools and techniques is an asset.
• Some business administration training, such as Finance, would be an asset.

Experience

• Preference towards those with over 2 years relevant experience in renewable energy / power generation sector, working directly with, or in a contractor capacity for a power corporation.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, construction and activities related to power generation facilities.
• Demonstrated engineering and/or technical expertise.
• Comprehensive understanding of Occupational Health and Safety requirements, rules, safety, regulations and procedures.
• Demonstrated dedication and commitment to ensuring project success and meeting client needs.
• Prior experience in working with Aboriginal organizations.
• Preference given to those of Aboriginal descent or for those who self-declare.

Conditions of Work

• Physical:  At a desk, attending meetings, making presentations and project site activities.
• Travel:  Throughout Saskatchewan to project sites, Regina, Saskatoon and First Nations communities, as required to meet client and project needs.

Key Relationships

• Proven ability to build effective and trusting relationships with co-workers, clients, stakeholders such as:
  •  First Nation members, communities, business entities and leaders
  • SaskPower
  • Government partners and funders.
  • Industry members, independent power producers.
  • Project managers, team members, engineering consultants, contractors, vendors and suppliers.

Supervisory / Management Responsibility

• Number supervised:  This position has no direct managerial responsibility for staff.  It is possible, over time, that the position could play a role in managing / mentoring junior staff or business development staff as FNPA’s internal capacity evolves.
• Number indirectly supervised: As a project manager, the position will play a key role in managing project workloads, schedules and key relationships.  This could involve interaction with several (e.g. 10-20) individuals, depending on a project’s scope and complexity.

Confidentiality

• There is a high requirement to maintain strict confidentiality regarding corporate and project initiatives, meetings, financial and Clients/Member information.

Performance OUTCOMES

• Number of new projects or client relationships secured.
• Overall budget value of projects under development.
• Value of Funding Proposals leveraged.
• Timelines/deadlines are met as stated – Project milestones, reports and submission deadlines are met.
• Policies and practices are followed in accordance with corporate and project policies.  Staying on budget – maintain projected costs for Clients/Members.
• Building and maintaining positive working relationship with FNPA staff, CEO, Board of Directors, Clients, key stakeholders and funders, and project team members.
• Positive feedback from the CEO and Vice President through annual performance reviews.   Positive feedback from consultants, clients and partners.