Director, Field Operations

AES US•Arlington, VA

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Field Operations is responsible for the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of AES's renewable energy portfolio across the Eastern United States and Puerto Rico. This role provides strategic leadership for field operations, operational performance, regional execution, financial stewardship, and continuous improvement initiatives that drive operational excellence and support long-term business success. The ideal candidate brings strong technical, financial, and leadership experience within the energy industry, along with demonstrated success supporting the safe and effective operation of utility-scale and distributed energy assets. They also possess a solid understanding of the commercial and operational aspects of energy facilities. We are open to considering U.S. remote-based candidates located in the EST time zone.

Requirements

10 -15 years of experience leading renewable energy operations, asset management, maintenance, power generation, or related technical operations functions, typically gained through progressively responsible leadership roles.
Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
Experience leading multi-site operations teams through managers and supervisors in geographically dispersed environments.
Ability to interpret and understand equipment and facility schematics.
Knowledge of systems, processes, and standards related to the operation and maintenance of utility-scale solar plants and electrical systems, including applicable IEEE, NERC, OSHA, NFPA 70E, Lockout/Tagout, Grounding, and related standards.
Familiarity with SCADA, DAS, remote monitoring systems, and associated operational protocols.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering a strong safety culture and maintaining a safe work environment.
Alignment with AES values, including Safety First, Highest Standards, and All Together.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other business productivity tools.
Ability to travel up to 30% as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MBA, Master's degree, or similar graduate-level education).
Experience with P&L ownership and financial accountability.
Experience supporting operations and maintenance activities for thermal generation assets.
Demonstrated ability to lead through complexity, drive results, and build high-performing teams.
Experience managing utility-scale solar, BESS, and wind portfolios.
Experience leading remote and geographically dispersed teams.
Experience managing third-party service providers and performance-based contracts.
Experience presenting to executive leadership teams, boards, investors, lenders, or other external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead the safe and effective execution of solar, battery energy storage (BESS), and wind field operations across the Eastern United States and Puerto Rico.
Oversee the safe execution of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) activities across U.S. sites utilizing third-party O&M providers.
Develop and implement strategies that optimize costs while maintaining strong safety, reliability, and operational performance standards.
Partner with Asset Management, Finance, Commercial, and other cross-functional teams to maximize asset performance and profitability.
Provide oversight and accountability for fleet availability, reliability, safety, operational performance, and cost management through clearly defined performance metrics and KPIs.
Drive continuous improvement and standardization initiatives using operational data, analytics, and emerging technologies to improve maintenance effectiveness, workforce productivity, asset performance, and reduce unplanned downtime.
Lead U.S. O&M business budget planning in partnership with regional Field Operations and Asset Management teams.
Develop and execute long-term workforce, capital, maintenance, and resource strategies that support portfolio growth and operational excellence.
Establish and maintain performance, cost, staffing, and productivity benchmarks to support informed business decisions and operational competitiveness.
Support the development of O&M cost estimates for new projects within the U.S. portfolio.
Provide coaching, mentorship, performance feedback, and development opportunities that promote employee growth and engagement.
Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and safety-focused culture where team members feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work.
Serve as a key operational representative to senior leadership, investors, lenders, joint venture partners, customers, and other stakeholders.
Communicate operational and financial performance results to executive leadership and external stakeholders.
Lead the fleet vehicle program for the O&M organization.
Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, talent development, and strategic hiring initiatives.