Energy Contract Manager (Oahu)

JOB FUNCTION:

Negotiates and administers long-term contracts for renewable and non-renewable energy in support of the development and integration of capacity and energy projects into unique island grids to support the Company’s successful transition to 100% renewable energy and reliability needs. This includes: involvement in procurements conducted within the Competitive Bidding Framework, leading bilateral negotiations to contract execution and seeking regulatory approval of long-term contracts, overseeing development, construction and placement of projects into service, and administration of contracts for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County. Manages policies with currently contracted Independent Power Producers, Cogenerators, and Qualifying Facilities for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County.Serves as the team lead for multi-disciplinary groups for the development of new and existing projects that supply renewable energy to the Company.

Initiates and maintains contacts with key stakeholders (e.g., project managers, lawyers, accountants, and officials) from inside and outside of the Company in the interest of joint problem solving, coordination, and keeping up with accurate and effective execution of power purchase agreements. Collaborates with technical subject matter experts on technical issues, which require the integration of knowledge and expertise in all areas of power system planning, design, and operations. Assists with community engagement and public meetings. Monitors and evaluates operational data to assess project performance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Negotiates and administers power purchase agreements between Independent Power Producers, Co-generators, and Qualifying Facilities for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County. Agreement administration functions include: 1) Ensuring consistent interpretation, strict compliance, and proper administration of all power purchase agreements, 2) Justifying terms and conditions of power purchase agreements to include capacity charges, energy charges, penalties/incentives, and methodologies of payment, 3) Reviewing and approving all monthly payments in accordance with executed purchase power agreements, and 4) Directing liaison activities with Independent Power Producers on operational matters during the term of the contract.
• Handles multiple assignments, negotiates priorities with and supports completion of project tasks by project team members, others in the organization, and consultants. Ensures that team members have all resources, information, and direction necessary to successfully complete their assignments. Informs team members of their roles, project information, and obtains their support in meeting project goals.
• Coordinates the acquisition of renewable energy resources through requests for proposals, power purchase contract negotiations, and other competitive procurement mechanisms for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County. Provides external and internal planning and communications strategy development and leadership related to renewable energy power purchase procurement and contract negotiation issues and processes. Leads cross-functional work teams comprised of internal personnel in the evaluation and negotiation of renewable purchased power proposals, and in formulating recommendations relative to resolving contract disputes. Serves as primary negotiator and advisor to senior management on renewable energy power purchase agreement issues, including technical and financial models and analysis. Remains current in the latest trends in emerging technologies. Serves as the principal point of contact for third-party power generation.
• Develops, reviews, and/or delivers expert testimony, responses to information requests, presentations, and other assignments supporting power purchase agreements before various external agencies such as the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the State Legislature, and Legal Arbitration cases. Participates in the formation of recommendations for capital budget items. Provides avoided costs computations and recommends contract terms related to all power contract proposals.
• Supports priorities for the Energy Contract Management department. Develops, implements and administers policies and procedures to support the division’s mission and vision and corporate goals and strategies. Provides technical assistance to other departments, subsidiaries, and consultants. Substitutes for Manager in his/her absence. Prepares and presents administrative reports/documents such as project status, strategic action plan (goals and objectives), budget inputs, and training requirements. Serves as technical advisor and/or consultant for inter- and intra-departmental work groups. Serves as Company Representative on specific Energy Contract Management assignments, including at community meetings or for media requests.
• Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge Requirements

• Working knowledge of engineering and/or business principles and theories normally acquired through a college level curriculum resulting in a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge of renewable energy technologies, both commercial and emerging, and their Utility scale applications.
• Working knowledge of project management fundamentals.
• Working knowledge of PUC, environmental, and state and federal laws and regulations as related to the implementation of renewable energy projects.
• Working knowledge of commonly used terms and conditions of contracts and the elements of a contract.
• Thorough knowledge of personal computers, cloud-based and/or related software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, and project management.

Skills Requirements

• Motivated self-starter with the ability and drive to successfully manage multiple projects with competing priorities in a timely and effective manner with minimal day-to-day direction required.
• Strong written skills, including clear, comprehensive, and succinct communications for a wide variety of internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills including effective written, oral, listening, and presentation, platform communication, and conflict resolution skills; the ability to use tact, courtesy, and discretion while working effectively with a variety of individuals, dealing with sensitive, difficult or confrontational issues; demonstrated willingness and ability to train team members.
• Strong negotiating, influencing, and persuading skills in complex technical and financial energy generation projects; ability to handle confidential information.
• Demonstrated extensive analytical and administrative skills required for such tasks as preparing, monitoring and analyzing forecasts; carrying out company/department policies and procedures.
• Analytical, organizational, and conceptual skills to handle various complex ideas, projects, and programs.
• Demonstrated ability to remain flexible in a demanding work environment and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
• Must have or be able to qualify for a State of Hawaii driver’s license. Must meet the standards for frequent or required driving positions stated in the Hiring Standards for Required Driving Positions policy. These standards may be adjusted periodically to meet business and safety objectives.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum (5-7) years of experience in one or more of the following: renewable energy generation planning, design, or operations; requests for proposals development and implementation; contract negotiation, evaluation, and administration; transactional legal experience, or business development.
• Several (3-5) years of analytical experience working with data and/or projects in renewable energy, data processing, legal, engineering, or similar field.

Preferred Qualifications & Competencies

• Minimum of (1-2) years of experience in evaluating and negotiating energy power purchase proposals is highly desirable.
• Experience in contract management and PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS) or wind operational data analytics.
• Experience in preparing and providing testimony before public agencies, or at governmental or public meetings is highly desirable.
• Experience in preparing and providing testimony in a regulatory proceeding of the PUC, is desirable but not required.
• Understanding of generation resource planning methodologies including the integration of supply and demand-side resources.
• Understanding of various renewable energy technologies and their relative advantages and disadvantages when integrating with utility grids.
• Experience and competency in formal business and legal writing.
• Working knowledge of methods of avoided costs computations and understanding of island-specific executed power purchase agreements between Independent Power Producers, Cogenerators, and Qualifying Facilities.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles with concentration in the power system analysis field, desirable.
• Working knowledge of budgeting/forecast process.
• Working knowledge of project development including project financing combined with government incentives are desired.

Role: Professional

Number of Vacancies: 3