As Scout's Associate Director of Preconstruction, you will play a leading role in the development, design and construction planning of Scout's utility-scale wind and solar energy projects. You will take ownership and lead the engineering, procurement, and construction planning scope of work for assigned projects from early development through to notice to proceed (aka the preconstruction phase). You will develop relationships with technical consultants and manage them closely to deliver technical work products. You will report to Scout's Vice President of Technical Services and may be assigned other duties to support Scout's growth as technical experts in renewable energy.
Your attention to detail and ability to concurrently drive multiple work streams forward on time and on budget will be key to your success. Your technical knowledge of utility-scale wind or solar plants and your ability to communicate with audiences who have a wide range of technical proficiency will determine your effectiveness in this role. You must have the ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams whose success depends on soliciting and integrating the technical expertise of every member.
Preconstruction Responsibilities
At the outset of your engagement on each project, you will work closely with the multidisciplinary Scout team to define project constraints and prioritize metrics for the project's success. Through the process you will be expected to communicate clearly and frequently and represent Scout effectively and professionally with a variety of project partners and stakeholders. You will use your technical knowledge and practical experience to inform the Scout team's approach to developing and designing the wind or solar facility, including:
Engineering
- Interface with Development, Interconnection, Site Assessment, Procurement, Construction and Operations teams to optimize project design; including site selection, major equipment selection, balance of plant (BOP) layout, and interconnection options.
- Interface with Third-Party Engineering Consultants to scope engineering and design work, manage execution to budget/schedule, review technical drawing and specification deliverables, and seek approval from Scout team.
- Lead value engineering exercises to maximize the financial performance of our projects.
Procurement
- Evaluate and stay current on the best-in-class offerings from major equipment suppliers.
- Draft RFPs and conduct competitive selection processes for general contractors, subcontractors, and major equipment suppliers.
- Develop technical exhibits and provide input on technical aspects of the BOP/EPC contract.
- Assist with BOP/EPC contract negotiations required to properly and effectively plan the project.
Construction Planning
- Develop the construction strategy, identifying key resource needs, risks, and mitigation strategies.
- Review project documentation to perform technical due diligence on project acquisition opportunities.
- Travel to remote project locations to conduct site inspections, constructability reviews and micro-siting evaluations.
- Perform risk assessment analysis by creating risk/opportunity matrices.
- Provide BOP cost estimates to support Finance and Origination.
- Create Level 1 and Level 2 EPC schedules and attain alignment with project stakeholders on the critical path activities
- Support Development efforts, including permitting efforts and attending landowner meetings.
- Leverage your technical expertise to ensure efficient and effective project transitions into the construction phase.
Team Leadership
- Develop, manage, and mentor junior team members and direct reports.
- Support and lead the hiring process and selection of junior team members.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration
- Own, coordinate, and participate in complex, cross‑functional initiatives by translating organizational priorities into clear plans, timelines, and deliverables, and proactively managing dependencies across teams to ensure work stays aligned with Scout's broader goals.
- Build, sustain, and engage in effective cross‑functional working groups by intentionally engaging partners with a meaningful range of experience, expertise, perspectives, and problem‑solving approaches to drive stronger outcomes.
- Lead and effectively engage in cross‑team meetings and forums with clear purpose and structure, balancing competing stakeholder needs while guiding groups toward decisions, next steps, and accountability.
- Act as a connector and point of integration across teams by ensuring information flows clearly, risks and tradeoffs are addressed early, and teams understand how their work fits into the larger system.
- Navigate ambiguity and competing priorities by exercising sound judgment, adapting plans as needed, and maintaining forward momentum.
- Model inclusive collaboration and influence without authority, creating space for diverse viewpoints while driving alignment and commitment to shared outcomes
Other Responsibilities
Scout is a dynamic and quickly growing organization. Based upon your skills and interests, your Manager will assign other tasks focused on improving Scout's preconstruction and engineering discipline and your career. These may include:
- Building business cases/protocols to support other areas of the company.
- Process improvement and documentation.
- Integration of commercially available software or development of internal software tools.