Chief Operating Officer

Job Description:

Position Summary

Reporting to the CEO, the COO will be a pivotal leader in managing and enhancing the operational infrastructure of Deriva Energy with responsibility for overseeing all operational, engineering, procurement, repowering, and project management from planning through execution.

This includes managing the operations of a large portfolio of facilities, within budget, while ensuring value maximization, compliance with safety standards and driving operational efficiency with continuous improvement. The COO will work closely with senior leadership to develop strategic goals, manage project portfolios, and lead a team of over 350 employees in achieving value-driven, safe and reliable operations.

The Chief Operating Officer will be responsible for the following:

Operational Leadership

• Lead and manage the operations organization to ensure all project activities are performed efficiently, cost-effectively, and to the highest safety and quality standards - the functions include:

  • Field Asset Operations including self-perform O&M at select projects

  • Renewables Control Center

  • Third-party O&M Services

  • Project Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management

  • Health, Safety, and Field Staff Training

  • Performance Analytics, in conjunction with Deriva IT & AI, utilizing Deriva's project database of operating information

• Oversee day-to-day planning, execution, and completion of wind, solar, and battery storage construction projects, ensuring they align with company goals and off-taker expectations.

• Develop strategic repowering goals over the near-term and oversee origination through construction of wind repowering.

• Establish and monitor operational KPIs and metrics to assess performance and drive continuous improvement.

• Develop and collaborate with project teams, business development, and senior management to develop strategies that improve project delivery and increase profitability.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Oversee and manage the financial performance of operations, including budgeting, cost control, P&L and forecasting.

• Ensure projects, facility management and field activities are delivered within the financial parameters, identify and address variances, and drive profitability.

• Provide regular reports to the CEO and executive team regarding operational performance, risks, and opportunities.

Project and Portfolio Management

• Oversee and ensure successful execution of multiple commercial construction projects across various phases (pre-construction, construction, commissioning, and emergency projects).

• Ensure compliance with all contractual obligations, safety regulations, and industry standards, while proactively managing project changes, challenges, schedules, and financials.

• Serve as a point of contact for key vendors, providing strategic leadership and maintaining positive, long-term relationships.

• Engage with stakeholders, including off-takers, contractors, vendors, and government agencies, to ensure successful project execution and address any concerns or issues.

• Support the project management team to ensure that clients are regularly updated on project status and progress, managing expectations, and delivering on promises.

Business Development

• Oversee and manage existing client relationships for Deriva while actively cultivating new partnerships to support the company's operational strategy.

• Collaborate with Deriva management and Brookfield to manage the delivery of Third-Party O&M Services, helping to drive business growth by providing services for operational support to other renewable energy producers.

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Champion safety culture within the organization and ensure that all projects adhere to the highest safety standards.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations, industry standards (e.g., OSHA), and environmental guidelines.

• Oversee incident investigations and root cause analysis for any workplace accidents or near-misses, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Team Development and Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing operations team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

• Conduct performance reviews, provide coaching, and ensure ongoing professional development opportunities for staff and high performers.

• Drive employee engagement and retention by promoting a positive and supportive work environment.

• Set clear objectives and expectations for team performance, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Work with the executive leadership team to define operational goals, create long-term strategies, and implement initiatives that promote sustainable growth.

• Review and approve project budgets, schedules, and resource allocation plans, ensuring alignment with company goals.

• Identify opportunities for revenue and project Ebitda enhancement, process improvement, technology integration, and cost-saving strategies across the organization.

The ideal candidate is an experienced renewable professional who has spearheaded operational activities for an independent power producer, EPC, or generation equipment manufacturer. They should be able to draw from deep experience to set the strategy and ensure the effective operations of a large organization of renewable professionals.

The successful candidate will have the following experience and expertise:

• 15 or more years of experience and proven track record of successfully managing operations, specifically solar/wind facilities, in fast-paced environments while also possessing ten or more years of experience in a senior leadership role.

• Extensive leadership experience in operations management, with a solid background in managing teams and complex, quick-turn projects in the renewable energy generation industry aligning with standard industry metrics.

• In-depth knowledge of construction project management processes, contract negotiation, budget management, data analytics, and safety protocols.

• Solid understanding of financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.

• Excellent leadership and team building skills, with a track record of developing, motivating, and managing high performing teams.

• Experience with a high growth, fast-paced organization and strong problem-solving abilities, particularly in high-pressure environments.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to work effectively with clients, vendors, and internal teams.

• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

• Ability to exercise diplomacy, judgement, and discretion, particularly related to sensitive or confidential information.

• Expertise in construction software, project management tools, and systems integration.

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, business administration, or a related field. Professional certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional), LEED AP, or CM-Lean are a plus.

• The ideal candidate will possess the following leadership capabilities:

• Inspire and Influence: Leads through interpersonal influence - not just authority; builds powerful relationships, helps others find meaning and purpose in their work, and inspires those around them, both internally and externally.

• Drive Financial Results: Ensures things are done at an appropriate pace; evokes ownership & accountability, streamlines, reallocates resources quickly and flexibly.

• Build Talent & Teams: Builds and harnesses highly talented, diverse teams; coaches and develops others toward independence and accountability, understands team dynamics, and strengthens the overall capability of the organization.

• Foresight: Problem solves with a high degree of intellect; solves problems by thinking ahead, reframing issues, balancing big picture and details, and quickly cutting through complexity.

• Adaptability: Builds interpersonal connections through authenticity and empathy; ability to flex their style over time and in different situations.

• Put Stakeholders First: Puts stakeholders, ranging from customers, shareholders, suppliers and partners at the heart of everything the organization does; understands the needs of stakeholders, creates distinctive value, and builds meaningful relationships.

• Resilience: Energetically takes ownership in overcoming setbacks and failure; guided by ethics, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose.

Additional Information:

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Deriva welcomes veterans of the United States Armed Forces to apply for this position. Deriva includes veterans of all branches and a diverse set of occupational specialties. We value the independent thinking, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork that our veterans have developed through their service. We welcome applications from any service and any military occupational specialty.

Deriva Energy is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, protected veteran or military status, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.