Director, Construction

Panthera Grid Partners, LLC•Houston, TX

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Panthera Grid Partners is seeking a Director of Construction to lead pre-construction and construction efforts for utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects. The role leads integrated project teams and guides advanced-stage projects from pre-construction through final completion. It combines commercial and technical construction management responsibilities, including risk mitigation, contract management, project execution, and leadership of cross-functional teams. The Director collaborates with Procurement, Engineering, Project Development, Business Development, Project Finance, and Project Management. The position develops construction contracting strategies, schedules, budgets, and cost estimates; supports design optimization and EPC bidding; negotiates EPC commercial terms and technical documents; oversees contractor performance, safety, quality, change orders, and financing needs; and builds and mentors a growing project management team. The position is hybrid in Houston, Texas, with four days in the office and Fridays remote. Approximately 10% travel is expected for conferences, transaction-related activities, and investor meetings. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; visa sponsorship or transfer is not available. This is a full-time position with competitive compensation and bonus.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of utility-scale solar PV experience and 8 or more years of experience in construction or a related field focused on construction, project management, or relevant work.
Self-motivated, able to work independently and collaboratively with minimal guidance.
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities while maintaining relationships with vendors and coworkers.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to coordinate work across disciplines, organizations, agencies, vendors, and contractors.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines, adapt to changes, and shift priorities as needed.
Experience reviewing scopes of work, technical specifications, drawings, and estimates.
Experience supporting development of bid packages, proposals, and contract exhibits.
Experience negotiating contracts, master service agreements, purchase orders, or other agreements.
Currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of solar project construction schedules, costs, and risk identification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee integrated project teams guiding advanced-stage solar and battery storage projects from pre-construction through final completion.
Coordinate with Procurement, Engineering, Project Development, and Business Development to transition projects into pre-construction.
Monitor projects approaching commercialization and develop contracting strategies with Procurement.
Develop initial construction schedules and budgets, accounting for internal and external factors affecting completion dates and EPC costs.
Lead design optimization for offtake commercialization and EPC RFPs, including site layout, equipment selection, design basis, discipline coordination, scope, and specifications.
Lead Project Managers in issuing EPC RFPs and identifying scope or technical gaps that could affect contractor pricing or schedules.
Support analysis of EPC bids, CAPEX estimates, and construction schedules, and ensure project-document obligations are reflected in contracts.
Oversee and negotiate key commercial terms and technical documents associated with EPC contracts.
Work with Business Development and Project Finance to provide construction capital expenditure and schedule information for underwriting.
Build, coach, and retain a growing team of project management professionals; mentor team members in contract administration and construction management.
Maintain relationships with senior representatives of key contractor partners.
Initiate, review, approve, and negotiate change orders in accordance with organizational standards.
Oversee project execution progress and identify and mitigate project risks.
Ensure project financing needs are met.
Take accountability for contractor safety on projects under the Director’s purview.
Work with Project Management, Project Engineering, and Project Development to identify risks, define schedules, and establish pre-construction cost estimates.
Support construction schedules, budgets, resource allocation, and construction bid and proposal processes, including assumptions, contingencies, cost analysis, and schedules.
Implement and oversee quality control processes to ensure construction meets industry standards and project specifications.
Develop mitigation strategies to minimize project disruptions.