Head of Operations & HSE

Role Job Description

Role Title: Head of Operations & HSE

Reports to: COO

Location: Prague, Czechia

Salary: €120,000 - €150,000, dependent on experience

Role Objective

To lead and enhance both the technical and commercial performance of the business's post-construction renewable assets, including solar PV, wind farms, and BESS, across the CEE region. The primary mission is to ensure the safe, reliable, compliant, and commercially optimised delivery of energy. This involves maximising market revenue through effective despatch and balancing strategies while aligning with shareholder expectations for value creation, long-term asset longevity, and preparedness for future exit strategies.

Key Accountabilities & Outcomes

• Safety & Reliability Leadership: Prioritise the safe and reliable operational performance of the entire portfolio. Champion and uphold a world-class safety culture across all assets, ensuring industry-leading HSE standards are maintained and continuously improved.
• Performance Optimisation: Drive continuous improvements in asset performance by analysing key metrics such as availability, yield, downtime, and curtailments. Implement data-driven strategies to maximise efficiency and energy production potential.
• Commercial & Market Optimisation: Lead the commercial asset management strategy, overseeing energy despatch, scheduling, and balancing activities. Manage third-party service providers and balancing groups to optimise generation, maximise market revenue, and minimise imbalance penalties, ensuring alignment with PPA structures and market opportunities.
• Contractor & SLA Management: Manage all O&M contractors, service providers, and Long-Term Service Agreements (LTSA) rigorously. This includes conducting performance reviews, renegotiations, and ensuring strict compliance with all Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Executive & Shareholder Reporting: Lead all asset management reporting to the C-suite and shareholders, providing clear insights on KPIs such as production, P&L variances, operational cost efficiency, and ESG metrics.
• Lifecycle Asset Strategy: Develop and implement long-term strategies for the portfolio, including repowering, technology upgrades, life extension, and hybridisation with storage solutions to maximise asset value.
• Budgeting & Cost Control: Oversee the operational budget, ensuring accurate forecasting and disciplined cost control in line with private equity governance standards.
• Team Leadership: Build, lead, and mentor a multi-country Operations team, fostering a high-performance culture and encouraging effective cross-border collaboration.
• Compliance & Claims Management: Ensure full regulatory compliance with all local and EU frameworks (grid codes, permits, environmental) and expertly manage warranty claims, insurance matters, and contractual disputes to safeguard financial and operational interests.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience in commercial management of utility-scale renewable assets, including oversight of energy despatch, balancing service providers, and revenue optimisation strategies.
• Demonstrable track record of driving operational improvements, enhancing asset performance, and implementing cost efficiencies within renewable energy portfolios.
• Direct experience in the technical and commercial operation of utility-scale BESS or hybrid assets.
• University degree in Engineering, Renewable Energy, or Technical/Industrial Management.
• At least 10 years in the renewable energy sector (solar and/or wind), with a minimum of 5 years in a senior operations leadership role.
• Experience managing multi-country, utility-scale assets post Commercial Operation Date (COD).
• Proven ability to manage O&M contractors, optimise performance, and enforce SLAs effectively.
• Strong background in developing and maintaining robust HSE culture and compliance frameworks.
• Familiarity with private equity or institutional investor expectations regarding governance, reporting, and exit readiness.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Leadership Competencies & Skills

• Strategic & Operational Mindset: Ability to blend high-level strategic thinking with detailed operational focus.
• Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of opex/capex cost drivers and market-based revenue mechanisms (e.g. balancing markets, intraday trading, PPA structures). Strong grasp of value creation and investor priorities across asset operations.
• Team Leadership: Proven capability to build and lead high-performing, multicultural teams across multiple countries.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent skills in managing relationships with C-suite executives, investors, contractors, and regulators.

Desired Attributes

• Postgraduate qualification such as an MBA or MSc in Energy or Operations Management.
• Experience in repowering or life-extension projects.
• Experience managing assets across both EU and non-EU jurisdictions.
• Knowledge of EPC contracts and claims management processes.
• Proven ability to lead change, drive continuous improvement, embed best practises, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.