Program Manager – France (BESS & HV)

Spencer Ogden; France; Remote; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Spencer Ogden is seeking an experienced France-based Program Manager to join our renewable energy client on an independent contractor basis for a 3-year term. You will lead pre-construction and construction delivery of HV substations, grid connection infrastructure, and BESS projects across France.

Acting as the client's senior project delivery representative, you will manage from acquisition and due diligence through detailed design, procurement, construction, energisation, commissioning and

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent; electrical background strongly preferred.
• 10+ years delivering utility-scale energy or electrical projects.
• Experience with HV substations and grid connections in France.

Responsibilities

• Support due diligence and risk assessment for French BESS and grid projects.
• Lead the transition from acquisition to construction readiness.
• Coordinate technical advisers, Owners Engineers, and surveyors across France.
• Lead delivery of HV substations, grid connections, and BESS interfaces.
• Report progress to senior management and investors.

Skills

Project management

HV transmission

BESS delivery

RTE interfaces

Procurement & contracts

Stakeholder management

Risk & due diligence

Education

Engineering degree

Electrical engineering background

Job description

Client: Leading Renewable Energy Investor & Asset Manager

Contract Duration: 3-Year Contract

Location: Remote / Home-based in France (with regular travel to project sites)

Reporting to: Director, Development & Construction Department

About the Client

Our client is a leading renewable energy investor and asset manager, acquiring, developing, constructing, and operating renewable energy projects across Europe. Their portfolio includes onshore wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). They are committed to delivering projects safely, to a high technical standard, and with disciplined management of programme, cost, and risk.

Role Overview

On behalf of our client, Spencer Ogden is seeking an experienced, France-based Program Manager to join them on an independent contractor basis for a 3-year term. In this senior role, you will lead the pre-construction and construction delivery of high-voltage transmission substations, grid connection infrastructure, and utility‑scale BESS projects across France.

Acting as the client's senior project delivery representative on the ground, you will manage projects from acquisition and technical due diligence through to detailed design, procurement, construction, energisation, commissioning, and handover.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Investment team on technical due diligence for French BESS and grid infrastructure.
• Identify material technical, permitting, grid, and cost risks, developing practical mitigation plans.
• Scope, procure, and manage French technical advisers, Owners Engineers, and surveyors.
• Lead the transition from project acquisition into full construction execution readiness.

BESS, HV & Grid Delivery

• Lead the delivery of high-voltage transmission substations, grid connections, and electrical balance‑of‑plant works.
• Provide technical and project management oversight of 225 kV and 400 kV transmission infrastructure.
• Manage technical and programme interfaces with RTE (and Enedis where applicable).
• Oversee BESS system integration across batteries, PCS/inverters, MV systems, and EMS/PPC/SCADA.
• Coordinate grid compliance, test plans, hold points, and commissioning activities.

Procurement & Contract Management

• Lead or support tendering and procurement strategies for HV substations, BESS supply, and EPC/BoP packages.
• Coordinate technical/commercial evaluations and support contract negotiations.
• Manage contractors against contractual milestones, handling variations, claims, and quality obligations.

Project Management & Site Construction

• Own the integrated project execution plan, budget, master programme, and risk register.
• Ensure Owners Engineers and contractors effectively manage day-to-day on-site delivery.
• Provide regular, concise reporting to senior management and investors.
• Manage seamless project handover to the Asset Management and Operations teams.

Health, Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Drive a zero-harm safety culture and ensure French H&S statutory arrangements are fully embedded.
• Oversee QA/QC processes across all civil, electrical, BESS, and HV works.
• Ensure full compliance with French legislation, permits, and grid technical standards.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Engineering degree or equivalent technical qualification; an electrical engineering background is strongly preferred.
• Experience: Typically 10+ years delivering utility‑scale energy or electrical infrastructure projects.
• HV Expertise: Demonstrable experience delivering HV transmission substations and grid connections; direct experience at 225 kV and/or 400 kV is a core selection criterion.
• BESS Expertise: Experience with utility‑scale BESS delivery (procurement, integration, commissioning) is strongly preferred.
• Regional Knowledge: Extensive experience working within the French construction, permitting, and contractor environment.
• Grid Interface: Proven track record of managing RTE interfaces and transmission connection delivery.
• Language & Setup: Must be based autonomously in France with the ability to travel regularly to French project sites and occasionally to the client's European headquarters.