Project Manager (Utility Scale, Solar & BESS)

Noa Group; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A renewable energy company is hiring a Project Manager to oversee the management of Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contractor, ensuring timely and budget-compliant project delivery. Candidates should have 5-10 years of experience in the power generation industry, a degree in Engineering or a related field, and strong project management skills. The role prioritizes risk management and communication, key to successful project outcomes in South Africa's renewable energy landscape.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years' experience as a Project Manager in the power generation industry.
• Minimum of 5 years Project Management experience in the renewable energy industry.
• Risk management and/or change management experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contractor and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Contractor.
• Ensure construction projects are delivered on time, within budget.
• Manage the drafting of contractual notices and communications.
• Review EPC contractors’ project schedule for correctness.
• Manage milestone payments and contractor claims.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Problem solving and decision making

Ability to work under pressure

Attention to detail

Education

Engineering, Quantity Surveying or Construction Management related Degree

Project Management qualification (PMP) or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

MS Projects

Job description

About NOA

NOA is an integrated renewable energy independent power producer, established to provide its customers with innovative and flexible solutions on their journey towards ‘Net Zero’ emissions and low-cost clean energy – by wheeling the energy generated by utility scale solar and wind generation facilities, augmented by battery energy storage systems.

• At NOA,we'rebuilding utility-scale renewable energy facilities across the country, bringing clean, affordable energy to South Africa's biggest businesses.
• Our team of energy sector veterans is on a mission to deliver 10GW of clean energy over the next 10 years. This is why we will succeed:
• We have a demonstrated track record of completing renewable energy projects, with 30MW already in operation and 1475 MW in construction
• We have built partnerships with South Africa's most successful renewable energy project developers, both in the private and public sectors
• We have secured a NERSA trading license to simplify procurement, financing, and supply of renewable energy
• We have a strong balance sheet with equity funding froma leading African infrastructure investment manager, AIIM
• Our innovative capital and operational structure is backed by several top-tier debt providers
• We've collected some of the smartest and most forward-thinking experts in their field into our team, driven by a united purpose to move the needle in South Africa's energy landscape.

About the role

The Project Manager is responsible for the Management of Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contractor, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Contractor, Project Documents and third party consultants in accordance to its respective contract terms as well as the company project team ensuring construction projects are delivered on time, within budget and in accordance to the contract requirements, scope of work, quality, Health Safety and Environmental requirements.

Key Accountabilities

Contract Management

• Manages the construction team ensuring that Company, EPC and O&M Contractors comply with all contractual obligations. Manages the drafting of contractual notices and communications to ensure that all the required contractual notices are issued, on time, including required content addressing the issue at stake in accordance to contract terms.
• Assists Head of Construction and Legal Counsel in disputes and arbitration matters.

Project Schedule Management

• Reviews and analyses the EPC Contractors’ project schedule for correctness.
• Identifies and scrutinises critical path items with the EPC Contractor to find solutions to prevent or minimize delays in the project schedule.

Cost Management

• Manages milestone payments by liaising with the construction team, owners engineer, and lenders engineer to ensure payment milestone requirements for payment has been achieved in accordance with the EPC.
• Manages contractor claims by obtaining approval for additional spending where applicable.
• Manages expenditure forecasting with the Project Finance Team to ensure on time debt and equity drawdowns during construction and on time payments to the O&M Contractor during operations.
• Establishes the earned value versus the paid to date value during construction to ensure the EPC Contractor is not over or under paid.

Procurement

• Supporting the SIPPs team up to financial close in relation to negotiating contract terms with EPC and O&M Contractors and third-party consultants.
• Lead procurement activities with contractors and third party consultants during operations and construction, in accordance with the company procurement policies and procedures.

Quality Management

• Reviews EPC and O&M Contractors’ project quality plans to ensure best international quality standards and practice is implemented in accordance with the EPC and O&M Contracts.
• Ensures the Contractors’ quality plan is implemented during all phases of the EPC and O&M contracts.
• Reviews executed quality inspection sheets for payment milestone, mechanical completion, and take over purposes during construction.
• Manage quality audit action items identified by the construction and operation team to ensure that potential risks are addressed.

Health, Safety and Environmental Management

• Monitors the HSE aspect by liaising with the project HSE team to identify HSE risks and addressing these risks with the EPC Contractors from a contractual and legislative perspective.

Reporting

• Ensures timeous submissions and issuing of EPC and O&M contractors, consultants, and company reports.
• Writes reviews and analyses reports to ensure it is in the agreed format, accurate, comprehensive and of an acceptable standard.
• Responsible for the coordination of project team members and their input in the various project reports issued to project stakeholders including, project SteerCo lenders, sponsors, utilities, owners engineer, lenders engineer etc.

Construction team management

• Provides support to the Head of Construction in identifying and assisting in recruiting resources required to comply with and adhere to the company’s obligations in relation to construction and operational projects.
• Support in the efficient management of the construction and operational team to ensure resources are utilized correctly.
• Assists in construction and operations team development by identifying skills shortage and informs the Head of Construction accordingly.
• Taking a leadership role in the construction and operations team relating to EPC Contractual related issues

Risk management

• Identification, evaluation, prioritization, of project risks in accordance to the probability and impact of occurrence in terms of health, safety, monitory, time, quality and environmental impacts. identifying and implementing mitigation actions
• Communicating risk with the project stakeholders at its earliest stage to enable the project team to manage the risk effectively before the impact and probability of the risk escalates.

Position Specific Requirements

Qualifications:

• Education: Engineering, Quantity Surveying or Construction Management related Degree
• Project Management qualification (PMP) or equivalent

Experience:

• 5-10 years’ experience as a Project Manager in the power generation industry, with minimum of 5 years Project Management experience in the renewable energy industry.
• Risk management and/or change management experience.

Industry knowledge, technical competence and skills:

• Advanced use of the Microsoft Office suite and MS Projects
• Proficiency in other project management software tools
• Thorough understanding of applicable Legislation, Policies, Procedures and Standards
• Strong Project Management skills

Behavioural Competencies / Performance Drivers:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Problem solving and decision making
• Communication and Consultation
• Conflict and Crisis Management
• Ability to work under pressure and to manage a number of complex transactions
• Flexible, with positive attitude and ability to work well as part of a team
• Methodical and analytical
• Attention to DetailAbility to build and maintain good relationships with key stakeholders

Cultural Fit & Values:

• We are problem solvers: Tackle settlement challenges with creativity and persistence.
• We improve continuously: Seek out smarter, more efficient ways of working.
• We think, and act, big: Use settlements as a lever to maximise renewable penetration and transform the energy system.
• We are all-in: Commit fully to supporting clients, colleagues, and NOA’s mission.
• We step forward: Take ownership, lead change, and guide clients with confidence.
• We speak simply and truthfully: Communicate clearly, transparently, and with integrity.
• We savour the journey: Celebrate progress, value learning, and foster teamwork.

Please note that preference will be given to candidates in line with NOA’s diversity and inclusion policies.