Technical Director

PowerGen Renewable Energy (PowerGen) is an innovative and dynamic renewable energy company designing, building, and operating the next generation of power generation and distribution projects, or ‘power grids,’ that provide clean, affordable energy to underserved on-grid and off-grid communities in Africa. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Kenya, the company operates primarily in Kenya, Nigeria, DRC, and Sierra Leone and has approximately 30,000 residential connections/households that benefit from 24/7 AC power generated from renewable sources. In addition, the business has developed and is building and operating captive power solutions for Commercial & Industrial (C&I) customers - mostly multinationals seeking cost effective, cleaner, and more reliable sources of electricity to power their businesses.

About the role

Part of the PowerGen Executive Leadership Team, the Technical Director will oversee the alignment of technical and operational strategies with business objectives, reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), they will manage key technical and project departments and deliver PowerGen’s growing project pipeline and asset base. The Technical Director will be responsible for cross-disciplinary leadership in engineering and project management while ensuring resource optimisation and continuous innovation. Key performance indicators will include project implementation success, asset profitability, technology roadmap execution, innovation adoption, safety and project management standards, and team development. The role requires expertise in solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and distribution networks, along with strong leadership, project management, and communication skills. Furthermore, the Technical Director will need the ability to contribute at a leadership level to help drive the business overall.

Key dimensions of the role

• Strategic leadership and alignment of technical activities with business goals.
• Team leadership and the development of technical, project, asset management and Health & Safety capabilities, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. This includes effective goal setting and performance management.
• Supporting the Business Development function by providing technical and project execution insight, engaging with key stakeholders and overseeing client engagements during project delivery.
• Project oversight and delivery – ensuring projects across the portfolio are delivered safely on time, within budget, and meet quality standards.
• Cost optimisation and efficient resource management.
• Innovation and technology integration – delivering a technology roadmap and R&D strategy to maintain PowerGen’s competitive offering and enable seamless project integration and asset portfolio optimisation.
• Defining and reviewing system architecture and design standards, while developing appropriate standards frameworks across all technical and project disciplines.
• As part of the Executive Team, engaging with shareholders, lenders, staff and communities to drive growth of the business overall.

Skills and experience

• Deep technical expertise in the renewable energy sector, with a particular focus on solar PV, battery storage, low- and medium voltage distribution systems, and associated switchgear. Ideally, the Technical Director will have first-hand experience of delivering complex megawatt scale renewable projects in Africa.
• A proven track record of leading large, skilled technical teams in the energy sector, spanning Systems Design and Engineering, Project Management, Operations & Maintenance (O&M), and Environmental, Social, Health & Safety (ESHS).
• Experience of working across borders and leading geographically disbursed cross functional teams and operating in differing market and regulatory conditions.
• Strong commercial mindset with a clear focus on cost optimisation, efficient resource utilisation, asset performance and innovation that drives shareholder returns.
• Demonstrable expertise in vendor and contract management, with the ability to develop mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers and partners and implement effective and fair procurement processes.
• Highly effective budgeting, planning, and forecasting skills.
• A focus on developing effective standards and processes for project management, ESHS, O&M, technology roadmap development and portfolio optimisation.
• Executive level gravitas, strategic business management experience, communication, and leadership skills necessary to effectively engage shareholders, stakeholders and communities at all levels and to contribute to the overall leadership of the business.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Millar Cameron, we are dedicated to supporting our Clients in building and supporting diverse and inclusive workplaces and culture, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Since 2007 Millar Cameron has specialised in sourcing leadership and keyperson talent across a number of industries, including agribusiness, international development, industrial, consumer, financial and professional services, private equity, and technology, media and telecommunications. Our mission and purpose is to positively contribute to the development of Africa, and other emerging markets, through the provision of people.