Head of Construction, Spain

Job Title: Head of Construction, Spain

Department: Construction    

Reporting to: Head of Construction EMEA

Location: Madrid, Spain

We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development.

For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise.

Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long-term sustainable growth and energy security.

Lightsource bp operates with five core values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Drive.

We seek to attract and hire individuals who share our commitment to creating a safe workplace, uphold the highest standards of integrity, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, communities, and the environment. Our recruitment process promotes sustainability by valuing long-term growth and responsible practices, while seeking candidates with the drive to innovate and lead in the global energy transition.

Together, these values shape how we engage, assess, and welcome talent to join us in delivering transformational solar power solutions worldwide. 

Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024.

What you’ll do (the role)

Summary

This role will lead our Spanish Construction. The position requires an agile mindset and willingness to travel to project and supplier locations.

Construction Phase (starting at Financial Close and until commercial operation date)

• As part of the Construction Leadership team, you will be the primary representative whilst leading the team, supporting the delivery of business and department objectives throughout the project life cycle.
• Lead the Construction team for the geographical(s) are of responsibility and provide senior leadership interventions for the project teams as required in supporting the PM and project team.
• As the person accountable for the projects during construction phase, ensure all projects are built safely and in accordance with LSbp and the local/country HSE requirements.
• As the person accountable for the project during construction phase, ensure projects are all delivered on-time, on budget and on-quality (especially but not limited to the right level of Performance Ratio.)
• Be the technical responsible towards the national auditing bodies and other stakeholders during construction and energization phase.
• Manage all construction aspects of PV, BESS or Wind projects from financial close through to commissioning and completion.
• Work with the EPC team at global level to improve procedures and specifications.
• Setting up, delivering and updating good practice PM systems and controls.
• Ensure all projects comply with the requirements of the applicable permits and contracts.
• Ensure the detailed design of the PV plant, together with the internal and external engineering, is adherent to the state-of-the-art engineering practices including the specific country particularities.
• Lead the claim management strategy during construction, leading the PM team in close coordination with the legal and the Delivery team functions.
• Lead the finance-accounting-tax controls during construction, in close coordination with the finance team.
• Lead the management of the project finance contracts after financial close, in close coordination with finance and structured finance teams, ensuring all the needed documents for on-time debt drawdowns and no contractual breach, and coordinate with the LTA as needed.
• Lead the regulatory processes during construction, in close coordination with regulatory and grid connection teams, to ensure smooth relation with the DNO/Utility, TSO and other public bodies that are involved in the project construction and energization.
• Lead the stakeholder’s management and environmental programs, in close coordination with the environmental team.
• Be the Construction senior point of contact to build the relationship with the Contractors in the geographical area.

Pre-Construction Phase (before Financial close – where the person Accountable is the Head of Development)

• Develop and foster strong working relationships with the local team and at global level to support business development.
• Be the main support to the Head of Development for the definition of optimal EPC/ICP contracts satisfactory to the lenders and to the shareholder. Therefore, work with the EPC team to select the optimum EPC and ICP contractor from RFP to contractual negotiations and final selection.
• Support Commercial Engineering team to define scope and support the selection Technical Advisors (Owner’s Engineer and Lender’s Technical Advisor).

Post-Construction Phase (after Commercial Operation Date, where the person accountable is the Head of Asset Management)

• Managing project handover from construction to operations and Asset Management ensuring early involvement.
• Be the main support to the Head of Asset Management for the monitoring of the EPC/ICP contractor duties and responsibilities until the EPC/ICP final acceptance certificate (2 year after Provisional Acceptance Certificate issue date).

Who we’re looking for

Knowledge/Experience

• Previous experience of managing a team of people is essential, including in a matrix organization.
• Previous experience in the Renewable Energy sector & project management is essential.
• Experience of managing and leading the construction of large-scale PV Solar projects bigger than 50MW, BESS and Wind Projects.
• Experience gained working for an EPC Contractor, Owners Engineer, or as the owner's senior representative.
• Detailed understanding of the Construction permitting and the administrative processes in Spain.

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

Personal/Work Skills

• Successful track record of leading project teams in a matrix organization and building a trusted delivery focused team environment.
• Successful track record in leading projects and with a focus of HSE and Quality standards
• Successful track record in project delivery and managing and building trusted relationships with various stakeholders (internally and externally).
• Strong contract management skills.
• Strong relationship with EPC’s and ICP’s.
• Knowledge of fundamental project management systems and procedures in the construction industry
• Full driving license.
• Fluent in Spanish and English

Education and Qualifications

• Construction or Project Management related formal qualifications, ideally in an engineering related discipline, or equivalent

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow – a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible

Our culture is driven by our core values. From operating safely to ensuring our solar projects are responsible and promote biodiversity.

Be recognised

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, superannuation, and other local benefits.

Be inspired

Join an agile, international team working across 15 countries to power the future and positively impact people, communities, ecosystems and biodiversity across the world.

Our core values

Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low-carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.

For further information on our career opportunities and life at Lightsource bp, please visit https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers/

Why You’ll Want to Stay with us

At Lightsource bp, you’ll work within agile, cross-functional teams where diverse perspectives come together. Our culture embraces open knowledge sharing and collaboration, empowering you to learn from others and accelerate progress collectively.

Your career growth is our priority and a shared journey. We are committed to developing talent from within and prepare you for career advancement so you can shape a fulfilling and lasting journey here.

In today’s fast-changing world, a learning mindset is essential and therefore we proactively support upskilling to help you push your skill boundaries and stay ahead in your field, so you can not only keep pace with change, but confidently shape a brighter future.