Senior Project Manager ENR (Pré-Construction)

Company Description

Founded in 2007, Akuo is a French independent renewable energy producer with operations in over twenty countries worldwide. The Group is commited in the entire value chain: project development, project finance, construction and operation of solar, wind and storage power plants.
Akuo's teams combine technological relevance, environmental added value and social benefits to develop exemplary, meaningful projects in local areas. The Group is a pioneer in agrivoltaics and storage solutions, and was the first to develop large-scale floating solar power plants in France.
True to its values and convictions, Akuo is a responsible business, committed to the diversity of its teams and determined to ensure the inclusion of all.

Job Description

Lead the structuring and pre-construction phase of renewable energy projects or project portfolios (solar, wind, BESS, etc.) in France and abroad, from PPA securing through to Financial Close and FID (Final Investment Decision).

Ensure and guarantee technical, contractual, financial, and organizational coordination, in line with the Group’s objectives for performance, quality, and profitability.

1. Project Management

• Lead the structuring and pre-construction phase of complex projects (e.g. photovoltaic plants >50 MW, multi-site wind farms, hybrid systems with storage).
• Define and orchestrate key milestones leading to the investment decision (FID) or potential project exit, based on value and risk assessment.
• Supervise the preparation and validation of key deliverables: PPA, financial modelling, due diligence, insurance, contracts.
• Ensure adherence to cost, schedule, quality, and risk objectives and compliance with internal standards.
• Manage a smooth handover to the execution/construction teams at the end of the structuring phase.

2. Team Leadership and Project Governance

• Lead and unite multidisciplinary teams (finance, technical, legal, development, HSE).
• Implement Group processes, tools, and standards, and propose continuous improvement initiatives.
• Conduct project governance meetings: steering committees, weekly reviews, and presentations to decision-making bodies.
• Supervise, train, and mentor junior, local, or regional project managers, fostering knowledge sharing, mentoring, and lessons learned (REX) sessions.
• Contribute to the collective capability building of the organization.

3. Technical and Contractual Coordination

• Support the selection and negotiation of key contracts: EPC, O&M, PPA, TSA, LLA, MSA, and other supply agreements.
• Coordinate technical and contractual due diligence with internal and external stakeholders.
• Structure the insurance package in compliance with internal standards and lenders’ requirements.

4. Financial Optimization and Performance Monitoring

• Support and validate economic assumptions (CAPEX, OPEX, yield, availability rate) in line with project objectives.
• Contribute to the development and validation of business plans and financial models.
• Produce regular performance reports, including the risk and opportunity register, financial KPIs, and project dashboards.
• Formalize and monitor key decisions, contract amendments, and action plans.

5. Development and Strategy Support

• Support development and M&A teams during bidding, acquisition, or strategic partnership phases.
• Assess the technical and economic feasibility of early-stage projects and issue investment recommendations.
• Identify industrial optimization levels and cross-project synergies within the portfolio.
• Contribute to technological and regulatory intelligence in target markets.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in Engineering or equivalent (Bac+5).
• 10+ years’ experience in industrial project management, including at least 5 years in renewable energy.
• Proven mastery of EPC, O&M, and FIDIC contracts, and deep understanding of the technical, contractual, and financial challenges across all project phases, particularly during structuring

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of technical aspects (HV/LV electrical systems, civil works, grid connection).
• Good knowledge of project finance processes and risk management.
• Proficiency with project management tools (MS Project, Primavera, or equivalent).
• Strong awareness of HSE, quality, and compliance standards.

Behavioral Skills

• Demonstrated leadership, rigor, and strategic and organizational mindset.
• Strong ability to negotiate, unite, and work collaboratively across teams.
• Analytical thinking, autonomy, proactivity, flexibility, and resilience.
• Ability to work effectively in an international and multicultural environment.

Languages

• Fluent in French and English (spoken and written).
• An additional language is an asset.

Additional Information

Key elements:

• Location: Akuo headquarters, at 140 avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris,
• Type of contract: permanent,
• The position is open to remote work, up to 2 days per week + 10 floating days per year (i.e. 100 days per year).

Other benefits:

• Gymlib,
• Holiday bonus, gift vouchers,
• Profit-sharing,
• Lunch allowance (10 x 19 per month) 60% reimbursed,
• Public transport paid at 75% of the current rate or sustainable mobility package,
• Pleasant premises with landscaped terraces and gym.