Director of Commercial Operations - remote

Opportunity Summary

Whitetower Energy is the UK based operations company for Rockland Capital. Rockland Capital is an investment company focused on the acquisition, development, and optimization of companies and projects in the North American and European energy sector. Rockland owns and/or operates over 4,000 MW of power generation in the United States and the United Kingdom.

NAES is an energy industry’s leading independent O&M service provider, with expertise that spans industrial, conventional energy, and renewable energy facilities. NAES is located in multiple countries with its Corporate office being in the United States.

As a NAES employee and who will be seconded to Whitetower Energy and represent the Owner, the Director Commercial Operations is responsible for providing management direction and leadership to ensure that the Owner Assets are operated in a safe, reliable, and economic manner consistent with the Owner’s goals and objectives, permits, rules, industry standards and regulations.

Scope of Responsibility

The Director Commercial Operations operates from established and well-known procedures and industry best practices, performing duties independently with only general direction given. Decisions are made within legal and policy constraints. The Director Commercial Operations encounters new and varied work situations, involving a high degree of complexity.

The Director Commercial Operations must effectively communicate information to the Owner, CEO of Whitetower Energy Limited (WEL) and River Nene Power Limited (RNPL), Contractors, Peers, and subordinate personnel, relative to the priorities of the business. The Director Commercial Operations will work closely with Asset Management personnel to ensure the Assets are providing the best value to the Owners.

Primary Functions

As a Director Commercial Operations at the Vice President level, this candidate would be responsible for all aspects of the commercial management and economic optimization of an asset or group of assets including:

• Work with senior management to agree on a trading strategy and risk management policies, to be reported on to senior management on a regular basis.
• Management of daily power generation and offers for the units via our Energy Managers, in line with the agreed strategy, trading limits and risk policies.
• Negotiation of fuel supply and/or transportation agreements.
• Analyze market trends, regulatory changes, grid stability, interconnector flows, and economic indicators that impact the power and capacity markets.
• Interfacing with the Energy Managers to ensure compliance with relevant market rules for connection, bidding and dispatch, participating is discussions about potential market changes, new opportunities and risks.
• Monitor and lead participation of all ESO power generation, grid stability, and power reserve projects and other services that align with the capability of the company’s assets and company views.
• Participation in daily calls with EMA providers and Operational staff as necessary.
• Produce detailed reports on trading activities, performance metrics, and market conditions. Present findings and strategies to internal stakeholders.
• Communication of relevant market information to Senior Management and the Finance Team.
• Reconciliation of third-party invoices for power sales, fuel purchases, network charges, capacity market payments, etc.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and contractual customer obligations, including REMIT, the Grid Code, CUSC, BSC, ESO services and Capacity Market.
• Ensure that the Contractors and Vendors are following the Agreements that are in place and associated with the Assets.
• Manage the UK ETS (Greenhouse gas emissions), carbon price support and other emissions limits.
• Represent Whitetower Energy Limited (WEL) and River Nene Power Limited (RNPL) in all matters concerning government entities such as OFGEM and similar entities.
• Work with the CEO to establish mid to long range plans for the Assets and provide the management and leadership to direct those Assets in meeting those plans.
• Communicate to the appropriate individuals any issues, concerns, or roadblocks in achieving plans for the Assets and work to resolve those items in a cooperative environment.
• Provide clear leadership and guidance for Contractors and Vendors so they can provide equipment and services on a timely basis to support the Assets.
• Aggressively pursue leads or ideas that could improve the Asset.
• Maintain a cooperative working environment at all levels ensuring that there is excellent communication, sites remain safe, comply with best practice and staff understand their obligations.
• Provide due diligence support, when needed, concerning other assets, equipment, or processes that could provide additional value to the Assets.
• Review terms and conditions, as needed, to ensure Assets are appropriately protected in agreements or purchases.
• Review budgets and provide feedback concerning budgets to ensure that are accurate.
• Work with the Asset Management personnel to ensure that the Energy Management Contractor and Operations and Maintenance Contractor are cooperating to provide the best value for the.
• As directed by the CEO, professionally represent the Owner in meetings with Agencies, Communities, Investors, and other entities.
• Complete other tasks as requested by the CEO WEL and RNPL, Senior Vice President Asset Management, or other Rockland personnel.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in fulfilling this responsibility is part of each employee’s performance evaluation.

Working Relationships

The Director Commercial Operations reports to the CEO WEL and RNPL, along with receiving direction from the Senior Vice President Asset Management at Rockland Capital, and other Rockland Asset Management employees. The Director Commercial Operations provides direction to the Energy Management Contractor as well as other primary contractors associated with the Assets.

The role is supported by external expertise that can be called on such as regulatory and legal support.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

Physical requirements include the possibility of standing on feet for extended periods, requiring stair and ladder climbing, occasionally lifting up to 15 kg, and, when necessary, use a respirator. Protective equipment must be worn when required in the performance of some duties (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, respirator, ear protection, chemical suits, hot gloves, and high voltage protective equipment, etc.). Work with hazardous materials may be required. There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the Assets.

The Director Commercial Operations primary work location will be from their home in a professionally maintained environment utilizing the current communications systems to perform their duties. The Director Commercial Operations will be expected to travel, sometimes on quick notice, and establish a remote work location to perform their duties.

Fitness for Duty

All employees are required to participate in the Fitness for Duty Programme. This includes a post-offer physical examination and drug screening, as well as random drug screening after employment. Successful completion of the Fitness For Duty Programme is a condition of employment.

Work Schedule

The position may require extended working hours, including varied shifts with weekend and holiday work, as dictated by schedules, workload, and asset conditions. "On-call" status will periodically be required.

Additionally, the Director of Commercial Operations will need to travel to all asset and vendor locations across the United Kingdom (UK), as well as locations in the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA). A full UK driver’s licence and a current passport are required. The Director of Commercial Operations may also be assigned to another location for short periods of time.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Finance, Mathematics or Engineering preferred.
• 10 plus years of experience in the UK Energy sector – preferably with specific exposure to generation asset management or power and/or gas trading in support of physical generation assets.
• In-depth knowledge of the UK, European and American energy markets, understanding key market drivers and trading regulations. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to discuss strategies and communicate risks and market updates.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Experience working with an Energy Manager in the power industry or similar field is required.
• Experience developing energy bids for gas turbines is highly desirable.
• Supervisory experience with management, technical, and hourly personnel is highly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and motivational skills, along with budgeting experience, are required.
• The ability to build and maintain strong business relationships, demonstrate a sense of urgency and responsiveness, and work in a detail-oriented, well-organized manner is required.
• Proficiency in computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office (especially Excel), and experience with basic financial management are required.
• Experience with gas supply is highly desirable.
• Experience with MS Project or a similar planning tool is desired.
• A full UK driving licence, in good standing, must be held and maintained.

The statements contained in this job description are not necessarily all inclusive; additional duties may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.

The Role Includes:

• Private Health Care
• Company Pension scheme
• Bonus potential
• Holiday entitlement
• Sick pay

Job type – Full time, permanent

Note: You will be asked to provide right to work documents should you be selected for an interview.

NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals based on merit and competence, without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other basis of discrimination.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Leadership: Advanced

Management: Advanced

Power Plant Operations: Advanced

Power Plant Fundamentals: Advanced

Power Generation: Advanced

Engineering: Advanced

Energy Modeling: Intermediate

Finance: Advanced

Budgeting: Advanced

Budget Preparation: Advanced

Analytical: Advanced

Verbal and Written Communications: Expert

Behaviours

Preferred

Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them

Thought Provoking: Capable of making others think deeply on a subject

Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject

Education

Preferred

Bachelors or better in Finance or related field

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field

Experience

Preferred

Bachelor Degree in Finance, Mathematics or Engineering preferred.

10 plus years of experience in the UK Energy sector – preferably with specific exposure to generation asset management or power and/or gas trading in support of physical generation assets.

In-depth knowledge of the UK, European and American energy markets, understanding key market drivers and trading regulations. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to discuss strategies and communicate risks and market updates. Strong analytical skills.

Experience working with an Energy Manager in the power industry or similar field is required.

Experience developing energy bids for gas turbines is highly desirable.

Supervisory experience with management, technical, and hourly personnel is highly desirable.

Strong interpersonal, leadership, and motivational skills, along with budgeting experience, are required.

The ability to build and maintain strong business relationships, demonstrate a sense of urgency and responsiveness, and work in a detail-oriented, well-organized manner is required.

Proficiency in computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office (especially Excel), and experience with basic financial management are required.

Experience with gas supply is highly desirable.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Driver's License