Head of Assets – Renewable Energy
Location: Office & Home based
Job Type: Full time
Start Date: ASAP
Remuneration package: Based on experience
About Zestec
Zestec Renewable Energy, part of the Octopus Energy Group of companies, specialises in the origination, development and management of portfolios of solar PV systems funded and owned by an investment fund managed by Octopus Energy Generation (OEGen).
Our team has a wealth of experience in making clean, green electricity available to businesses and other institutions at a lower cost than they pay for traditional energy.
We save clients’ money, help them decarbonise their property estates and contribute significantly to their Net Zero agendas. We have gained industry recognition as a market leader in this area and our team is growing accordingly.
OEGen manages a diverse portfolio of assets with a capacity of over 3GW, making it one of the largest solar investors in Europe and a leading investor in solar and onshore wind.
About the role
We are looking to invest in the future of our business and are therefore recruiting a Head of Assets who will be instrumental implementing standards and best practice asset management across our portfolios, working closely with functional teams to optimise long-term commercial and technical performance.
The Head of Assets will be responsible for leading the overall management, performance optimisation and strategic growth of a portfolio of solar assets in the UK. This leadership role requires a dynamic professional with deep industry knowledge, exceptional leadership, commercial and financial skills, and a strategic mindset to drive the success of the business while ensuring compliance with regulatory, environmental and financial standards.
You will have the ambition to progress your career and want to join a growing business where you will play an integral part in the success of the business.
The role is broad with key responsibilities including:
1. Strategic Leadership
• Develop and execute the overall strategy for solar asset management, aligning with the company's vision and objectives.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the value of the solar asset portfolios, including operational efficiency, revenue & cash growth and cost reduction.
• Represent the company in industry forums, regulatory discussions, and with key stakeholders to position it as a leader in solar energy asset management.
• Collaborate with the business development team and C&I platform to promote additional products to current clients, fostering stronger client retention and business expansion.
• Serve as a member of the Zestec Board, providing strategic guidance and contributing to high-level decision-making.
2. Operational Management
• Oversee the day-to-day management of all solar assets, ensuring maximum performance, uptime, and operational efficiency.
• Establish robust operational processes, including planned and corrective maintenance schedules, performance monitoring, and risk management systems.
• Ensure successful onboarding of new solar assets
• Manage third-party service providers, including Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) and operations and maintenance (O&M) contractors, ensuring adherence to performance standards, budgets and contractual obligations.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting in line with agreed formats, standards and timetables.
3. Commercial Optimisation
• Optimise revenue generation for onsite PPAs and 3rd party energy sales including ongoing management of grid export limitation (where applicable)
• In conjunction with Business Development, assess opportunities to expand existing systems and install complimentary technologies such as batteries, EV chargers, heat pumps etc
• Ongoing relationship management of clients to discuss performance and other initiatives.
4. Financial Oversight
• Manage, monitor and optimise the financial performance of the solar portfolios, including revenue, cash distributions, tax payments, operating costs, and profit margins.
• Prepare and present financial and operational reports to the Leadership Team, OEGen and Sky.
• Lead the budgeting and forecasting process for the asset management business, working in collaboration with the finance team.
5. Compliance and Risk Management
• Ensure compliance with all UK energy regulations, environmental standards, and health and safety requirements.
• Identify and mitigate operational, financial, and regulatory risks associated with the solar asset portfolios.
• Maintain high standards of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices across the portfolios, ensuring compliance with internal policies.
6. Team Leadership and Development
• Build, manage, and inspire a high-performing team of asset management professionals.
• Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration within the organisation.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for team members.
7. Stakeholder Engagement
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, investors, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
• Negotiate contracts, manage investor communications, and provide transparency on asset portfolio performance.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as project delivery, finance, legal, and business development, to achieve Zestec goals.
• Contribute to the success of the business through engagement and contribution to the Leadership Team.
About you
Other requirements:
• In-depth knowledge of solar energy operations, asset management, regulations, and market trends in the UK
• Strategic thinking with the ability to develop and execute long-term plans.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis.
• Good knowledge of H&S regulations.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with a focus on developing talent and fostering collaboration.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in asset management software and data analytics tools.
• Results-driven and solution-oriented mindset.
• High level of integrity and accountability.
• Passion for renewable energy and sustainability.
• Uncompromising emphasis on excellence in service delivery
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision
• Good degree in any discipline but finance or business management preferred
• Outstanding MS Office skills, in particular Excel
What you’ll love about us
As one of the UK’s best places to work in 2024, Zestec has built an exciting and inclusive, engaging, performance culture where our team feels empowered. This means we welcome discussions around flexible working hours and a genuine work life balance. At Zestec we don’t just focus on what we do but also how we do it.
At Zestec, we're looking for genuinely decent people who are candid, empathetic and have the right values. We not only say that people are our strongest asset; we are keen to see them develop. We know that every touch point with a client and partner is key and the unique skills and perspectives people bring to the team are the driving force of our success.
We promote equal opportunities for growth and development regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or socio-economic background. We believe strongly that teams are at their best when every member of the team feels safe to bring their whole self to work.
