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Director, Strategic Project Engineering & Operations

Sparkfund is the deployment services company utilities rely on to take DERs from grid edge to grid core.

With over a decade of experience as a utility services company, Sparkfund has pioneered a smarter approach to deploying distributed assets as part of a fast-growing grid. Through its Distributed Capacity Procurement (DCP) model, Sparkfund enables utilities to plan, deploy, and dispatch DERs at the scale and pace necessary to meet load growth demand and unlock the full value of the grid. We support program design, assessment of DER grid value, host engagement, and value chain management to ensure on-time, on-budget deployment of distributed resources with maximum grid value and lowest cost.

With more than 3,500 projects deployed across 43 states and more than 300MW of energized assets constructed, Sparkfund is transforming buildings into a valuable extension of the grid for the benefit of our society.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly organized, technically savvy, and dynamic Director, Strategic Project Engineering & Operations to oversee the day-to-day operations, supplier management, and field execution in deployment of dozens of medium format (500 kW to 5 MW, 4 hour) battery energy storage systems (BESS) as part of Sparkfund's Distributed Capacity Procurement (DCP) work in Minnesota.

The role will be expected to build Sparkfund's project engineering, project management, vendor management, and construction management capabilities, at first by working with Sparkfund's EPC and technical leaders to perform those activities for 2-4 BESS installations in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and help recruit a team they will lead for the significant expansion Sparkfund anticipates in Minnesota in 2026. As the work scales and additional professional staff is brought on board, the Director of Strategic Project Engineering & Operations will transition from working manager to team leader and manager, supervising those individuals and the execution of work across numerous active projects. The role will then be responsible for the team's design and construction milestones, ensuring efficient communication across stakeholders, contractors, providing excellent project and vendor management, and serving as a primary technical liaison with the client's engineering, safety, and programs staff.

The ideal candidate will have experience in the construction, energy, or electrical contracting industries, possess a strong ability to manage complex stakeholder environments, enjoy on-the-fly troubleshooting and problem solving, working with utility engineerings, and demonstrate a proven ability to deliver results in a fast-paced, high-growth setting. As the DCP program grows and Sparkfund approaches new innovations, comfort with and ability to bring structure to uncertainty, a grounding in both operational excellence and strategic vision, and grace under pressure will be key attributes necessary for success in the role. This role will report to the General Manager of the Minnesota region, currently filled by the VP of Deployment.

Location

This position is based in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Candidates must currently reside in, or be willing to relocate to, Minneapolis (preferred) or another location within Minnesota. Company-subsidized relocation assistance will be provided as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the execution for Phase 1 DCP projects to manage the design, procurement, supply chain, commissioning, and construction of 2-4 medium format BESS installations.
• Build a world class development process with a focus on safety, quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Review and update Sparkfund and utility client developed project scopes of work including development of clear scopes for local vendors to execute as part of the overall project.
• Manage project development and implementation progress, ensuring challenges are handled effectively internally and externally. Provide consistent and accurate communication to project stakeholders including managing weekly, quarterly, and annual reporting.
• Identify, evaluate, select and contract with vendors such as OEMs, engineers, system integrators, survey companies, packagers, and other groups required to deliver the battery deployments.
• Troubleshoot and develop solutions in collaboration with Sparkfund's EPC and technical experts, OEMs, construction sub-contractors, and utility engineers as needed to maintain quality, budget, and schedule.
• Build and manage a team of strong local talent to fulfil project management, construction management, vendor management, and safety roles for the larger Phase 2 DCP program.
• Develop and share strategic insights for scaling DCP projects within a 200 MW portfolio by bringing subject matter expertise to the development and implementation of battery deployments.
• Collaborate with our Business Development and Project Development teams on development of battery solutions and product offerings.
• Bring lessons learned back to the larger team and help build out the tools and processes of a robust commercial organization.

Direct Reports

While this position will not initially have direct reports, it will play a critical leadership role in shaping the organizational structure and talent strategy for the DCP. In partnership with Sparkfund's Talent Acquisition team, this individual will attract, develop, and lead a high-performing team aligned with the program's long-term growth objectives. The roles outlined below illustrate the types of positions this leader may oversee directly or through matrixed management; these are subject to evolve as the program scales and matures.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Industry Experience :

Project & Operations Management :

Leadership & Team Management :

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement :

Financial & Process Oversight :

Compliance & Safety :

Education :

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

10 MW+ BESS or multi-site distributed infrastructure programs

Benefits

For full-time positions :