Director of Operations & Maintenance

The Director of Operations & Maintenance is responsible for leading ESS’s field service organization, ensuring the safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and diagnostic services across the company’s solar portfolio. This role is the single operational authority for all field O&M activity and serves as the primary escalation point for client service issues related to O&M contract delivery.

The Director of O&M manages three Regional Managers and the Engineering & Remote Operations Center (ROC), integrating field execution with real-time monitoring to deliver on contractual obligations. This position owns the O&M contribution margin and is accountable for technician utilization, workforce development, and operational standardization across all regions.

This role does not encompass safety program ownership, special projects, vegetation management, or technology platform administration. The Director of O&M coordinates with these functions but maintains a focused mandate on O&M field execution and delivery excellence.

Essential Functions

Field Operations Leadership

• Lead and manage ESS’s field O&M organization across all operating regions (currently IL, MN, NY, MD, ME, VA, NJ, DE, CT), ensuring consistent delivery against contractual obligations.
• Directly manage Regional Managers and ensure effective deployment of Team Leads and O&M Technicians to service the active solar portfolio.
• Serve as the single point of authority for cross-regional operational decisions, including resource sharing, workload balancing, and emergency response coordination.
• Drive a culture of safety and accountability among all field personnel in close coordination with the General Manager and the Health & Safety Officer.
• Ensure field teams maintain compliance with all applicable OSHA regulations, NFPA 70E standards, and company safety protocols during daily operations.

Client Service Delivery & Escalation

• Serve as the primary escalation point for client service issues related to Technical O&M contract performance, response times, and system availability.
• Represent ESS in technical and operational conversations with clients, asset managers, and third-party stakeholders as necessary.
• Coordinate with the Director of Client Services to ensure transparent, accurate performance reporting and proactive communication on all portfolio matters.
• Address and resolve escalated performance, service, and operational issues promptly, driving internal and external alignment on corrective actions.
• Develop strong and enduring client relationships focused on operational trust, responsiveness, and long-term partnership.

Remote Operations Center (ROC) & Monitoring

• Oversee the Engineering & ROC team responsible for real-time monitoring, alert triage, performance analysis, CMMS Work Order Creation, and field dispatch coordination.
• Ensure integration between the ROC monitoring workflow and field dispatch operations to minimize response times and maximize system availability.
• Support the ROC in delivering accurate, transparent client-facing performance reports in coordination with the Client Services team.
• Leverage ROC data and analytics to drive preventive maintenance strategies, identify underperformance trends, and inform resource allocation decisions.

Financial & Operational Performance

• Own the O&M contribution margin, including direct oversight of field labor costs, materials spend, and subcontractor expenses relative to O&M and corrective maintenance revenue.
• Manage the O&M field labor budget and work with General Manager to ensure accurate cost tracking and forecasting.
• Review and approve field expenses, vendor quotes, cost estimates, and staffing requirements for projects and portfolios.
• Drive technician utilization toward company targets, ensuring productive allocation of field hours across preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and diagnostic services.
• Present operational KPIs and performance metrics to the General Manager on a regular cadence, including utilization, response times, system availability, and contribution margin.

Workforce Development & Hiring

• Lead the O&M technician hiring pipeline to maintain adequate staffing levels aligned with portfolio growth, targeting a field-to-office ratio consistent with industry benchmarks.
• Partner with HR on recruiting, onboarding, and retention strategies for field personnel.
• Oversee technician career development in alignment with ESS’s Tech Profile framework (Level 1–4), ensuring a pipeline of qualified senior technicians and Team Lead candidates.
• Drive internal promotion and professional development to support the company’s “Lift as We Climb” cultural value and reduce reliance on external hiring for senior technical roles.

Operational Standardization & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and enforce cross-regional operational standards for work order execution, documentation, CMMS compliance, and field quality.
• Ensure accurate and timely transfer of work order data to the accounting team for billing activities.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance field efficiency, reduce rework, and improve first-time fix rates.
• Maintain working knowledge of industry trends, emerging technologies, equipment vendors, and evolving O&M best practices.
• Support ESS’s participation in internal Talent LMS integration and adoption for training and safety compliance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

The expected annual compensation range for this position is $130,000 - $160,000, encompassing base pay and potential incentive target opportunity. This range is a good faith estimate based on the position's requirements. Specific compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary depending on factors such as relevant knowledge, skills, training, experience, and market conditions. Additionally, this position may qualify for a comprehensive benefits package, including Retirement Benefits, Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and Disability, Tuition Reimbursement, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences, and more.

About Us:

At New Energy Equity, a proud subsidiary of ALLETE, we’re leading the charge in transforming the energy landscape with innovative solar solutions . As a top player in the renewable energy sector, we’ve successfully developed over 600MW of solar projects and closed more than $1.2 billion in clean energy investments . Our projects deliver sustainable electricity to a wide range of clients, including commercial, industrial, municipal, and utility customers . But there’s more to us than just impressive numbers. We pride ourselves on a dynamic and engaging work environment where teamwork, continuous learning, and environmental stewardship are at the core of what we do . Our inclusive and collaborative culture encourages creativity and innovation, making our office a place where every idea is valued, and growth is a priority . At New Energy Equity, you’ll join a passionate team that not only drives the clean energy future but also enjoys celebrating our successes together . With over 250 projects across the U.S. , our supportive atmosphere ensures a balanced work-life dynamic ️ and a fun, fulfilling career path . Join us and be part of a forward-thinking company where your contributions are celebrated, and your professional development is supported as we work towards a brighter, sustainable future .

The statements above outline the essential functions, nature, and level of work expected as of the document’s preparation date. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties and responsibilities. New Energy Equity reserves the right to modify this job description at any time, without notice.

New Energy Equity is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR department at amekonnen@newenergyequity.com