Manager, Solar and BESS

NiSource • Wheatfield, IN

5d • $133,400 - $200,100

About The Position

The Manager, Solar and BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) O&M is responsible for leading and implementing operations and maintenance strategies for the solar & BESS renewable generation portfolio. This position will execute and oversee the renewable strategic plan to ensure safe, reliable, compliant, efficient, and resilient operations. This role requires proactive leadership to integrate and collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes. The Manager must demonstrate strong organizational, leadership, communication, and technical skills. This position will staff, plan, direct, and control the solar and BESS renewable generation ensuring the desired success criteria are achieved.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in one or more of the following: industrial construction projects, project management, renewable or fossil plant operations, labor negotiations, or related experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Previous experience leveraging Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) for business needs, with proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications and working knowledge of data management and business intelligence software (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools).
• Ability to lead, coach, develop, and motivate employees and function effectively in multidisciplinary teams across multiple sites.
• Strong organizational planning, business administration, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with a strategic mindset and strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Working knowledge of accounting, finance, vendor contract administration, liability, and union contracts.
• Ability to manage mental and physical stress effectively while dealing with unexpected changes, deadlines, time constraints, and budget pressures.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Business, Engineering, or Engineering Technology from an accredited university or college; MBA preferred.
• Experience, education, or training in business plan development, tactical and strategic implementation planning, budget justification, and the use of computers and project software.
• Formal training or education in coaching and employee development, with previous experience leading a represented workforce (union employees).
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification
• Working knowledge of all aspects of regulated electric utility and renewable assets, including solar and wind.

Responsibilities

• Lead and promote a safe, supportive, and high-performing work environment by building effective relationships, treating people with dignity, soliciting feedback, and coaching employees through clear direction, timely feedback, and development opportunities.
• Align solar and BESS renewable generation operations and maintenance strategies with corporate objectives by maintaining industry, regulatory, and economic knowledge and applying best practices to optimize asset health and production.
• Manage the solar and BESS renewable generation portfolio by directing staffing, budgets, estimates, schedules, scope, risk identification, and overall organization for project and operational success.
• Provide leadership and oversight to employees, contractors, and maintenance-related partnerships to support construction oversight, startup, testing, operations, and long-term asset performance.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to maximize asset utilization and remove roadblocks across cross-functional teams including metering, billing, compliance, regulatory, environmental, accounting, market participant, and asset optimization groups.
• Develop and execute scheduled maintenance plans to prevent equipment downtime and maximize energy production.
• Collaborate with engineering, planning, asset management, and other stakeholders to utilize generation KPIs, performance metrics, and reporting to monitor project progress, operational performance, risks, and challenges.
• Provide executive-level updates and decision-support information to leadership.
• Recruit, train, and manage field employees and other staff to ensure a highly skilled and productive workforce.
• Lead collaboration and relationship development with our representative workforce partners.

Benefits

• NiSource is required to provide continuous service to customers at all times. To ensure we fulfill that obligation, employees may be required to work outside their normal work hours and perform tasks outside of their normal responsibilities in support of emergency operations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED