Associate Director of Project Management

The Associate Director of Project Management at Qcells in Irvine, CA, is a permanent, full-time remote role overseeing solar PV and battery energy storage projects. Responsibilities include strategic leadership, managing multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring project delivery on time and within budget, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. The position involves stakeholder management and may require up to 50% travel for job sites, with flexible hours based on project demands.
Description

Title: Associate Director of Project Management
Department: Operation 2
Location: Irvine, CA
Supervisor: Director of Project Management
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Remote

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Qcells USA’s complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Development, Module, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.

SUMMARY

The Associate Director of Project Management is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the strategic oversight and successful delivery of solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. This role demands a strategic leader capable of guiding multi-disciplinary teams through the complexities of large-scale solar projects, from initial planning to successful execution and completion. The Associate Director of Project Management ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of safety and quality, while also fostering innovation and continuous improvement. By managing stakeholder relationships, overseeing financial and contract management, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory and company standards, the Associate Director plays a crucial role in maintaining the company's reputation for excellence in the renewable energy sector. This position reports to the Director of Project Management or another management personnel that the CEO or Head of Department may designate. This position is hybrid, you will work out of your home and travel to different jobsites. Working hours will depend on project demands. Overtime and weekend working hours may be required as needed. This position is expected to travel up to 50%.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Strategic Leadership and Team Management:
• Spearhead project management strategies, ensuring alignment with the company’s long-term objectives.
• Lead a team of Project Managers and Project Analyst, overseeing their work on EPCM Solar & BESS Projects.
• Lead project management efforts ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements, fostering strong relationships with union representatives, and optimizing workforce management to meet the deadlines and budgets.
• Project Oversight and Execution:
• Oversee the planning, execution, and completion of solar energy projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, within scope, on time, and within budget.
• Manage project milestones and critical paths, applying rigorous project controls and reporting mechanisms.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
• Cultivate strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, and suppliers to ensure project requirements are met and to facilitate smooth project execution.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and resolution of issues.
• Contract and Financial Management:
• Lead contract negotiations, manage project budgets and oversee financial forecasting and cost control measures.
• Ensure thorough contract review and management, including handling change orders and dispute resolution efficiently.
• Quality, Safety, and Compliance:
• Champion the highest standards of quality, health, safety, and environmental compliance across all projects.
• Implement and oversee safety management systems, quality management systems, and environmental management systems, ensuring projects comply with all regulatory and company standards.
• Innovation and Process Improvement:
• Drive innovation in project execution and management processes.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement best practices to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Reporting and Documentation:
• Generate accurate and timely internal and external project reports, including budget, schedule, and progress updates.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation and ensure all project information is appropriately documented and secured.
• Market Awareness and Business Development Support:
• Stay abreast of market trends and technological advancements in the solar energy sector.
• Support business development efforts by contributing to proposals, bids, and negotiations for new projects.
• Be accountable.
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position.​
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by Management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's in Engineering (Required) and MBA in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field (Preferred).
• Certifications (Preferred) include: Project Management Professional (PMP), Professional Engineer (PE), and Agile or Six Sigma.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience in Engineering, Procurements, Construction Management (EPCM).
• At least 5 years of experience in renewable energy projects, particularly solar, battery storage, wind, or related fields, with a focus on commercial operations and project management.
• Extensive track record of successfully building large-scale projects, preferably in the solar industry.
• Knowledge of the solar market, technologies, regulations, and standards.
• Have insight to highlight key risk factors and advise EPC cost estimates.
• Capability to interact with leadership cross-culturally, both within and outside the organization.
• Have both a long-term strategic perspective and near-term action orientation, and a strong desire to continuously improve and push limits.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, project management software, and other relevant tools.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong team player with a high degree of professionalism in which one always conducts self.

EXAMPLE OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day.
• Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk.
• Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far.
• Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors.
• Travel: up to 50% as needed

EXAMPLE OF WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Regular professional, office business setting
• Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
• Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)

Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by Qcells USA Corp are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations at hr-usa@qcells.com.

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.

This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
You may view your privacy rights by reviewing Qcells' Privacy Policy or by contacting our HR team for a copy.