Associate Director of Renewables & Sustainable Technologies- Americas

South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.

Our Project Development team is at the forefront of developing and managing climate mitigation activities. By working closely with project owners and developers as well as their local communities, we manage the complete registration, verification and evaluation of carbon projects to enable the issuance of emission-reduction certificates, in line with official carbon standards. If you are a smart, ambitious and dynamic sustainability professional with a strong passion to make a real difference in the fight against climate change, the below position may be right for you!

Job summary:

The purpose of this role is to lead the Sustainable Technologies climate mitigation practice within the Project Development team of the Projects & Markets business line in the Americas. This includes sectors such as renewables, waste and wastewater treatment (green power and biogas), energy efficiency on industrial and community level, plastics and circularity as a whole. In this leadership role, you will provide guidance and direction to the regional Sustainable Technologies project development practice, to ensure they effectively execute our global Projects & Markets and Project Development strategies within the region. You will work closely with global functional and regional leaders (sourcing, projects development, portfolio management, business development, etc.). This is to ensure South Pole will properly and efficiently develop every relevant opportunity in the region to enhance positive environmental impact as well as our market share. Through your vision and leadership, you will inspire our multifaceted teams to deliver strong value to all our clients and communities, and to advance the climate action movement as a whole. 

Main tasks & responsibilities:

• Overall responsibility and lead for emission reduction generation, full carbon/RECs project development cycle and management, quality checks for deliverables, project related consultancy mandates and new project sourcing 
• Team management and communications with Global Director of Project Development, Director of the Global Sourcing Director of Portfolio, Unit’s Head of Operations and unit’s HR Business Partner.
• Drive innovative ideas, solutions and products through leadership and decisive action 
• Build high-performing teams of project developers specialized in project development in the region and implement efficient processes to deliver solutions that satisfy the needs of our clients, as well as South Pole’s profitability goals 
• Have a complete overview of the business possibilities for South Pole in the carbon finance and climate mitigation sector in coordination with the Head of Sourcing Americas. This would include voluntary and compliance carbon schemes and standards globally and in the region e.g. CDM, Verra, Gold Standard, CAR, ACR and GCC. 
• Contribute to projects’ structuring and implementation in coordination with the Head of structuring and Implementation in the region.  
• Oversee the client, Project Owner (PO) and DOE (third party independent certifier) relationship management including invoices, payments and accounting follow ups 
• Contribute to the global annual strategy, planning and budgeting processes by bringing the regional perspective with regard to project development 
• Support the KAMs and the P&P team with tenders and proposal preparation, the Marketing team in project information requests and the Climate Solutions team based on availability in coordination with the Head of Project Development 
• Support the sourcing team with strategic inputs, proposal preparation and overview technical screening activities 
• Identify strategic opportunities and areas of improvement with regard to project development activities in the region 
• Budget control and manage budgets of all tasks and activities with optimum efficiency and effectiveness and ensure the assigned time budgets per staff are respected and on track 
• Have a complete overview of the operational matters of the practice team in the region and proactively contribute to the improvement of the internal processes and operations by liaising with the Projects and Markets Head of Operations. 

Requirements:

• More than 7 years work experience in sustainability consulting, climate change mitigation/adaptation or related fields. 
• Able to lead multiple teams with complete mastery of renewables, energy efficiency and other sustainable mitigation technologies and very strong business development and sourcing knowledge, or willing to develop your skills further to become skilful on the business and commercial side next to your technical skills/experience 
• Capable in making decisions on difficult matters and provide solutions with varying risks 
• Able to take decisions and accountability at functional strategy level 
• Ability to manage a team (mid to Senior level Project Coordinators) of up to 10 members, including internal and/or external collaborators
• Have excellent communication skills, especially verbal skills 
• The ability to create high quality written documents (proposals and deliverables) in English and Spanish is highly desirable, 
• Any additional languages are a plus 
• Have a strong network of potential clients, collaborators or other relevant stakeholders 
• University degree in civil/mechanical/energy engineering, natural resources management, environmental sciences, geoecology, physics, sustainability, climate change or carbon mitigation related fields, a Master’s degree is a plus

What we offer:

At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation. 

We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make; South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.