Asset Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Cubico Sustainable Investments as an Asset Manager based in Montevideo, Uruguay. The Asset Manager has overall responsibility and accountability for Cubico’s Uruguay operating asset portfolio. Key activities include management of operation & maintenance contractors, HSE management, financial management, oversight of electricity sales arrangements, daily/weekly/month reporting and directly managing a subset of operational assets to achieve industry best levels of availability and performance.

The candidate should have experience in managing renewable energy projects, solar and wind, direct experience operating and maintaining PV and/or Wind assets, or managing and negotiating Operation & Maintenance contracts and contractors with a deep knowledge of the dynamics of the Uruguayan electricity market. The role would be responsible for managing the operational portfolio to industry best standards and keeping and delivering EBITDA targets for the portfolio of projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with the Uruguay HSE manager to develop and maintain a positive safety culture and ensure all activities are undertaken in accordance with local legislation and Cubico’s HSE policies.
• Ensure safe operations of all assets in the country.
• Implement best practice asset management in the asset portfolio, working closely with functional teams across the business to optimise HSE, commercial and technical performance.
• Manage the production of regular portfolio and project level reports highlighting HSE and commercial performance, risks and technical issues.
• Assist with developing and implementing the asset management strategy for the renewable energy asset portfolio in Uruguay.
• Implement and continuously improve local asset management systems and processes consistent with Cubico’s global policies and standards.
• Provide input to business development, origination and asset construction activities and proactively share knowledge and experience with the wider business.
• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage Operation and Maintenance contractors to ensure that their service provision and performance follows the requirements of O&M contracts.
• Direct supervision of relevant operation and maintenance activities, to ensure that works are in line with industry best practices.
• Prepare and review O&M plans and strategies for assets to optimise through-life value.
• Monitor and report asset performance and implement strategies for improvement of performance, mitigation of risks and creation of value.
• Manage technical issues to ensure they are fully analysed and appropriate solutions developed and implemented. Pursue insurance claims and/or other commercial settlements as appropriate.
• Develop plant improvement plans and prepare associated investment proposals.
• Develop relationships with suppliers and manage all contracts and agreements in order to maximise long term value to Cubico.
• Ensure compliance with all licences, consents and applicable standards.
• Oversee all electricity market arrangements and ensure that ‘best’ value is obtained for power generated.
• Work with the Uruguay Finance team to prepare and agree operational plans and budgets, control and analyse performance of operating assets against approved budgets.
• Instigate robust business risk assessment processes and procedures in line with Cubico’s policies.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Fluent in English
• University degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline (or senior-level student nearing graduation), plus experience of asset management and O&M in the renewable energy industry.
• A passion for HSE and a good awareness of safety legislation and standards, ideally with a relevant certification.
• Technical expertise in the operation, maintenance and management of renewable generation and associated technologies, particularly solar PV and onshore wind, including, knowledge of best practices, O&M cost structure and subcontractors management.
• Knowledge of best practice asset management, including decision-making, capital investment, operations & maintenance, lifecycle cost and value optimisation, resourcing strategy and optimisation, shutdowns/outage strategy and optimisation, ageing asset strategy, performance monitoring.
• An understanding of contract law and typical commercial contractual arrangements required for renewable generation assets. Direct experience of negotiating and managing commercial contracts.
• Knowledge of quality assurance principles and quality management systems.
• Knowledge of electricity market arrangements.
• Sound working knowledge of business risk assessment tools and risk assessment processes and methods.
• Experience in the management of materials, logistics and supply chains.
• Proven leadership qualities and the capability to build and manage Operation and Maintenance contractors, engineering consultancies etc.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships with colleagues and external counterparties across all levels and across diverse cultures.
• Ability to assess technical problems and develop engineering solutions.
• Strong commercial acumen/track record and the ability to translate technical findings into commercial implications.
• Ability to forecast costs, prepare operational budgets and manage finances. Knowledge of accountancy principles and procedures.
• Solid planning and organising skills to include effective prioritisation and resource management
• Knowledge of information and SCADA systems and tools available to support asset management activities.
• In depth knowledge of project management principles and the importance of operating to cost, quality and time specifications.
• Ability to work under pressure and to deliver high quality work to tight deadlines.

About Cubico Sustainable Investments

Established in 2015, Cubico Sustainable Investments (Cubico), a London-headquartered firm, is one of the world’s leaders in providing renewable energy across the Americas, Europe and Australia. Owned equally by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and PSP Investments, two of the world’s largest pension funds with over USD300 bn under management, Cubico is committed to a long-term growth strategy designed to make it one of the largest and best in class renewable energy investors in the world.

Cubico holds a portfolio of around 12 GW, with assets across the wind, solar PV, solar thermal and transmission line technologies. Covering the whole energy chain from development and construction to operation, the company’s portfolio is located across 9 countries: Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, the United States (USA), Greece, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia.

Cubico is driven by six core values: Diversity, Respect, Integrity, Value Creation and Excellence, which make up the final value DRIVE. These values encourage employees to take pride and satisfaction in their work, strive to achieve their goals and go the extra mile to attain outstanding results, whilst acting with the upmost integrity and behaving ethically in the course of their employment. Cubico’s employees are central to its success and, as a result, the company looks for people who believe in its purpose, will take full account of its impact and are motivated to make a positive contribution to communities and the environment and build a better future.

As part of Cubico culture and values, we embrace diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building talented teams that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We particularly encourage applications from under-represented minority groups.