Lead Renewable Energy Project Manager

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life cover

Retirement fund

Home office stipend

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Renewable Energy Project Manager to drive end-to-end delivery of solar and wind projects in a remote-first setup. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage budgets and schedules, and ensure compliance across regions, with a focus on opportunities in South Africa.

You bring 10+ years of project management experience in renewables, PMP certification preferred, and strong leadership in remote environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field; PMP or equivalent is highly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years in project management with 5+ years in large-scale renewable energy (solar/wind).
• Proven ability to deliver projects from inception to commissioning and handover.

Responsibilities

• Manage full lifecycle of utility-scale renewable energy projects (solar PV, wind) from site selection through commissioning.
• Develop and control budgets, schedules and resources to meet timelines and budgets.
• Lead multi-disciplinary remote teams including engineers, contractors, consultants and legal advisors.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Communication

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree

Tools

MS Project

Primavera P6

MS Teams

Slack

Asana

Job description

About the Role

Join a globally recognized leader in renewable energy as a Lead Renewable Energy Project Manager, operating in a fully remote-first capacity. This pivotal role will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of large-scale solar and wind energy projects across various regions, with a significant focus on opportunities within South Africa. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic leader with a proven track record in managing complex energy infrastructure developments from conception through to commissioning and handover. As a remote-first position, you will leverage advanced communication tools and digital collaboration platforms to ensure seamless project execution and team alignment. This is a unique opportunity to drive impactful change in the green energy transition, working with a passionate and innovative team dedicated to sustainability. The role offers unparalleled flexibility and autonomy, enabling you to contribute significantly without the constraints of a traditional office environment. Our client is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive remote workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full project lifecycle for utility-scale renewable energy projects (solar PV, wind farms), including site selection, permitting, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
• Develop and manage project budgets, schedules, and resource allocation, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Lead and motivate multi-disciplinary project teams, including engineers, contractors, consultants, and legal advisors, fostering a collaborative and high-performance remote environment.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks, developing contingency plans as needed.
• Oversee the negotiation and management of key contracts, including EPC, O&M, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
• Ensure strict adherence to all environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations and company policies throughout the project lifecycle.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies, local authorities, and community stakeholders to facilitate project approvals and manage relationships effectively.
• Provide regular progress reports and presentations to senior management and key stakeholders, maintaining transparent communication channels.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in project management processes and methodologies for renewable energy developments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil), Project Management, or a related technical field. A Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of proven experience in project management, with at least 5 years specifically focused on large-scale renewable energy projects (solar, wind).
• Demonstrated success in managing projects from inception to completion, meeting budget and timeline objectives.
• Strong understanding of renewable energy technologies, project finance, grid interconnection, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and stakeholder engagement skills, particularly in a remote work setting.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Primavera P6) and collaboration tools (e.g., MS Teams, Slack, Asana).
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification is highly preferred.
• Experience working with international teams and managing projects across different geographies.

Benefits

As a fully remote position, this role offers significant flexibility and autonomy. Our client provides a competitive base salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, life cover, and a retirement fund. Opportunities for professional development, advanced training in project management and renewable energy technologies, and career progression within a growing international company are abundant. We support our remote employees with resources for home office setup and foster a strong virtual team culture through regular online engagement. This role is ideal for a self-driven individual who thrives in a remote work environment and is passionate about accelerating the transition to clean energy.