Manager, Pre-Construction

OPAL Fuels; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Short & Long Term Disability

401(k) plus Matching Contributions

Tuition Assistance

Referral Bonus

Generous Paid Time Off

Ten Paid Holidays

Job summary

OPAL Fuels, a leader in RNG and renewable energy, seeks a Manager, Preconstruction to lead RNG and other capital projects from concept through FID. You will drive FEL/FEED development, permitting, interconnections, estimating, scheduling, risk, and execution planning, coordinating with BD, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Operations.

The role requires 10+ years of industrial capital project experience, with RNG or related process industries preferred.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university.
• MS or MBA preferred.
• PMP certification preferred but not required.
• 10+ years of industrial scale project management experience.
• Experience working on RNG, gas processing projects or related.
• Ability to manage multiple states and travel ~30%.

Responsibilities

• Lead all preconstruction activities from project origination through Final Investment Decision (FID).
• Develop preliminary scope, schedule, budget, cash flow, and execution strategies.
• Coordinate FEL studies, engineering, permitting, interconnection, survey, geotechnical, and environmental activities.
• Manage engineering and equipment RFP processes and support vendor selection.
• Drive early engagement with utilities, pipeline operators, regulators, and local authorities.
• Identify and mitigate project risks, scope gaps, and development constraints.
• Coordinate cross-functional alignment between Business Development, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Operations.
• Prepare project financing and approval packages for investment decisions.
• Ensure project readiness and successful handoff to the execution team.

Skills

Project management

Industrial capex projects

PMP certification

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Procore

Primavera

MS Project

Contract management

Risk management

Communication & negotiation

Travel readiness

Education

BS in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical Eng (ABET)

MS or MBA preferred

Tools

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Procore

Primavera

MS Project

Job description

About OPAL Fuels

OPAL Fuels (Nasdaq: OPAL) is a leader in the capture and conversion of biogas into low carbon intensity RNG and renewable electricity. OPAL Fuels is also a leader in the marketing and distribution of RNG to heavy duty trucking and other hard to de-carbonize industrial sectors. For additional information, and to learn more about OPAL Fuels and how it is leading the effort to capture North America’s naturally occurring methane and decarbonize the economy, please visit www.opalfuels.com.

Position Summary:

The Manager, Preconstruction is responsible for leading the development of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and other capital projects from concept through Final Investment Decision (FID). This role drives early project planning activities, including FEL/FEED development, permitting, interconnections, estimating, scheduling, risk management, and execution planning to ensure projects are fully defined and ready for construction. Working closely with Business Development, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Operations, the Manager, Preconstruction ensures a seamless transition from project development to execution while minimizing risk and maximizing project value. Candidates must have at least 10 years of experience in industrial capital projects, preferably within RNG, biogas, oil and gas, refining, chemical processing, or related process industries. The position may be based anywhere in the continental United States during the first year of employment, with relocation to the Charlotte, NC area expected thereafter. A reasonable commute to a major commercial airport and the ability to travel are required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead all preconstruction activities from project origination through Final Investment Decision (FID)
• Develop preliminary scope, schedule, budget, cash flow, and execution strategies
• Coordinate FEL studies, engineering, permitting, interconnection, survey, geotechnical, and environmental activities
• Manage engineering and equipment RFP processes and support vendor selection
• Drive early engagement with utilities, pipeline operators, regulators, and local authorities
• Identify and mitigate project risks, scope gaps, and development constraints
• Coordinate cross-functional alignment between Business Development, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Operations
• Prepare project financing and approval packages for investment decisions
• Ensure project readiness and successful handoff to the execution team

Qualifications and Skills:

• BS in Electrical, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university. Advanced degree (MS or MBA) preferred
• PMP certification preferred but not required.
• 10+ plus years of industrial scale project management experience.
• Experience working on gas processing projects such as RNG, gas transmission and compression, gas treating, air separation, LNG, CNG, hydrogen, or related.
• Demonstratable experience & understanding of Business Development activities and commercial relationship management.
• Must be able to adapt and pivot in response to changes on a day-to-day basis.
• Demonstratable skills and experience with Autodesk Construction Cloud, Procore, Primavera, or MS Project.
• Strong understanding of project controls and contract management. Experience managing projects with CAPEX greater than $50MM.
• Ability to manage concurrent projects in multiple states.
• Approximately 30% travel overnight normally, but during plant commissioning your presence may be required on-site daily.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• A strong candidate will have an existing network of vendors, consultants, and contractors throughout the US and be able to deploy those resources to support the overall goals of the Upstream Construction group.
• Must have appropriate experience within the United States.

Work Hours and Arrangements:

Standard Monday - Friday, 1st shift (exempt position); must be available for after-hours/weekend calls as business needs demand.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires the ability to perform both office based and field/site work. The role involves extended periods of sitting and working at a computer, with frequent use of hands and fingers for typing and operating standard office equipment. The individual must be able to read and interpret reports, schedules, drawings, and digital displays. Periodic standing, walking, reaching, bending, kneeling, crouching, and stooping are required. Field responsibilities include performing walk downs at active construction, industrial, or operational sites; walking on uneven or unimproved surfaces such as gravel, dirt, concrete, steel grating, and scaffolding; climbing stairs, ladders (including vertical ladders), and scaffolding; working at heights and in confined or congested spaces; and safely wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include hard hats, safety glasses, steel toe boots, gloves, hearing protection, fall protection equipment, and respirators as dictated by site conditions. The position required the ability to work in outdoor and industrial environments with potential exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, dust, lighting, and nearby moving equipment, while maintaining situational awareness and adherence to safety protocols. Travel and extended work hours may be required to support project needs.

Job Type:

Full-time

Pay:

The range for this role is anticipated to be $180,000 - $200,000 annually with bonus for eligible positions. Where a specific pay range is noted, it is a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. The actual salary offered will be based on experience, skills, qualifications, market / business considerations, and geographic location.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short & Long Term Disability
• 401(k) plus Matching Contributions
• Tuition Assistance
• Referral Bonus
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Ten Paid Holidays

OPAL Fuels LLC is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

OPAL Fuels does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters or agencies without a current signed agreement and written confirmation specifying the roles for which submissions are authorized. Any resumes submitted without an agreement and authorization will be considered the property of OPAL Fuels.