OPEX Manager

OPEX Manager

Reporting Line

The OPEX Manager reports to the Head of O&M

About the Role

The OPEX Manager is responsible to prepare the detailed OPEX forecast of the project(s) and for defining all O&M related costs from pre-operational CAPEX costs through to the OPEX estimate for the operational lifetime, aligned with the O&M strategy.

The OPEX Manager provides robust challenge and scrutiny on O&M planning and O&M strategic assumptions and will maintain close interfaces to finance and commercial teams, providing relevant high-quality analysis on O&M activities to support effective commercial decision-making. This will include the preparation of OPEX models,life cycle cost estimates, evaluation of operational risks and opportunities, lifetime extensions and the definition of the project’s availability profile.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for adequacy and accuracy of all Project OPEX models, including oversight of third-party models, and representing the balanced long-term interests of all shareholders considering risk and optimisation.
• Accountable for accurate and consistent preparation of costs associated with operations and maintenance activities.
• Responsible for ensuring that the cost profile is aligned with the O&M strategy
• Responsible for ensuring OPEX standardization across the project portfolio
• Accountable for preparation and updating the OPEX assumption book (OPEX fact book)
• Accountable for coordinating pricing inputs from relevant stakeholders to support the OPEX assumption book (e.g. procurement, development, insurance, etc.).
• Accountable for providing OPEX (and O&M CAPEX) inputs to the financial teams in a clear and accurate format and ensuring the O&M cost impacts are communicated.
• Responsible for preparation of OPEX approval packs, assumption books, information sheets, memos and other similar documents.
• Focal point for cost and risk evaluation associated with all O&M related contracts, providing modelling expertise to support O&M contract negotiations and evaluate any commercial impacts of the EPCI or operations contracts over the operational life. 
• Accountable for coordination and response of all OPEX related queries from lenders, shareholders, technical advisors and other third parties.
• Responsible for implementing modelling and governance of the OPEX estimates in line with project(s) commercial and financial guidance and the project management system.
• Responsible for developing the O&M CAPEX profile, including the WTG service ramp-up aligned with the project(s) commissioning plan and the O&M facilities (not responsible for preparation of revenue estimates)
• Responsible for development of O&M cost reduction/efficiency curves over the operational life and preparation of supporting information sheets.

Qualifications & Key Skills

Essential

• Business University Degree (Economics, Commerce, or Finance) or related field
• Master of Finance, CFA, CPA, MBA or other advanced designation considered an asset.
• 5+ years relevant work experience in the field of lifetime cost modeling, budget forecasting within the offshore wind industry, large-scale infrastructure development projects, or similar
• Preferably with experience in power and renewables, energy industry, or infrastructure
• Strong problem-solving skills to gather, assemble, consolidate and analyse facts, draw conclusions and create solutions
• Highly proficient in Excel and PowerPoint, enjoy working with large financial models, and have an open mind towards change and more advanced reporting and modelling
• Proven ability to think strategically and provide the business with concise analysis and recommendations
• Excellent coordination and cooperation skills; a team player who is willing and able to work effectively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to solve problems and share knowledge
• Experience with reporting to international shareholders
• Ability to prioritise effectively, excellent organizational and administrative ability

Language Skills

Fluent in English (CEFR Level C1 as minimum)