General Manager in Edinburgh

Eden Scott’s Offshore Wind Developer client is now looking to appoint a General Manager for their Offshore Wind Farm. This represents an excellent opportunity for an experienced O&M / Asset Management professional to join the organisation at an exciting time.

Job Purpose

The General Manager is responsible for leading the safe, efficient, and commercially effective mobilisation, transition and long-term operation of the Wind Farm. The role provides strategic leadership across both the pre-operational and operational phases, ensuring organisational readiness, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and alignment with shareholder objectives.

During the Interim Operations Phase (prior to COD), the General Manager will not hold direct accountability for operational delivery, but will work closely alongside the project team in an influencing, assurance and oversight capacity. The objective during this phase is to ensure that operational decisions and readiness activities are progressed to support the safe and effective long-term operations.

Job Description

• Interim Operations Phase, Pre-COD:
• Represent the Shareholders within the Operations Steering Committee.
• Provide independent oversight and challenge to the Project team in respect of operational decision-making.
• Review and influence the development and implementation of Operations and Maintenance strategies; Operational delivery models; and Asset management frameworks.
• Lead development of the Operational Readiness Plan and define readiness criteria for COD.
• Review and provide input to key decisions relating to Asset handover and acceptance; SCADA, data and cyber readiness; Maintenance strategies and logistics.
• Participate in engineering performance tests and full-system commissioning.
• Ensure acceptance process for fire safety, environmental protection, health and safety, and grid connection.
• Ensure effective handover of technical documentation (records, files) and physical items (spare parts, tools).
• Provide independent reporting and assurance to the Board on operational readiness and risk.
• Shareholders Representation:
• Act as the primary interface between the Project Company and shareholders, ensuring equitable alignment and protection of shareholder interests whilst advancing the strategic objectives of the Project Company in accordance with the Governance and Control Framework.
• Prepare relevant papers and submissions for consideration of the Board.
• Act as interface with investors/shareholders, financing parties, debt providers, insurances and regulators and other key stakeholders to support the safe, compliant and commercially successful operation of the Project Company.
• Governance and Leadership:
• During the Interim Operations Phase, act as an independent, Shareholder-aligned leader engaged with but not embedded within the Project delivery team, providing oversight and constructive challenge on operational matters.
• The General Manager will be accountable to the JV board post COD (including board reporting, co-ordination of board meeting and chairing of operations committees) and will take responsibility for the delivery of significant P&L and budget.
• Support the effective functioning of the established governance forums (including the Board and Steering Committees to ensure sound decision-making, effective oversight, and consistent shareholder representation within the Project Company’s operating framework.
• Lead and manage the Operations team following COD and ensure appropriate organisational structure, supervision, and accountability arrangements are in place.
• Ensure decisions of, and changes to, the Operations and Maintenance Strategy for the Project are implemented and approved according to the Governance and Control Framework.
• Ensure compliance with Board approved policies, governance procedures, and delegated authority requirements.
• HSEQ & ESG:
• Champion Project safety by ensuring implementation of the safety management strategy and clearly defined safety responsibilities.
• Maintain clear accountability for safety leadership and ensure operational risks are managed in accordance with UK regulations, offshore wind industry best practices, and international standards relating to operational safety, marine environmental protection, and occupational health and safety.
• Lead the management of operational risks in accordance with UK regulations, offshore wind industry best practices, and international standards relating to operational safety, marine environmental protection, and occupational health and safety.
• Organisational Readiness:
• In coordination with the Project Director, manage the transition of the Project into operations in accordance with the Business Plan and Construction Schedule.
• Ensure the operations organisation is fully established and prepared for operational commencement, including people, processes, systems, management frameworks, and operational software.
• Develop and implement a fit-for-purpose operational delivery model encompassing organisational design, contracting strategy, and operational principles, that enable efficient, sustainable operations.
• Facilitate and oversee a structured, transparent, and well-governed transition process from construction to operations, ensuring clarity of accountability, continuity, and operational integrity.
• Financial and Commercial Oversight:
• Responsibility for delivery in line with the approved business case to underpin long term value creation and operational excellence.
• In conjunction with the Finance Director, and within the parameters of the delegated authority levels, ensure that prudent financial planning is adhered to and obligations in respect of taxes and charges are met.
• Ensure timely establishment of key operational contracts and early engagement with O&M contractors to secure alignment and readiness for the operational phase.
• Cooperate with shareholder and third party audits and financial reviews to ensure the project’s financial compliance and commercial control, and to maximise the investment income.
• Maintain oversight of major operational risks, ensuring that mitigation strategies, contingency plans, and risk governance structures are in place and actively managed.
• Carry out continuous risk assessments, under a Board approved risk management framework, during the operations phase (as well as the transition to the operations phase) with reporting to the Board as set out in the Governance and Control Framework.
• Implement policies and procedures to ensure that the Project is materially compliant with all relevant regulation and legal obligations as well as any of the requirements of the Project’s financing facilities.
• Regulatory and Compliance Assurance:
• Ensure all operational phase obligations are clearly identified, with robust plans in place to maintain full compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements.
• Construction/O&M Interface:
• During the Interim Operations Phase, hold a defined right to review and provide input on EPC related decisions impacting long-term operations, including risk allocation, claims, variations, and technical readiness.
• Establish a regular communication and coordination mechanism between the construction and O&M teams to simultaneously advance the preparation of O&M workstreams and the implementation of the O&M framework, thereby ensuring efficient operation and maintenance, and achieving a seamless transition from construction completion to operations.
• Governance and Control:
• Ensure fulfilment of any other responsibilities set out in the Governance and Control Framework or any other Project Documents.
• Ensure delivery of all reporting obligations and provision of accurate and timely information to support Board decision-making, shareholder reporting, and lender compliance requirements.
• Transition to Full Operations (Post-COD):
• At COD, the General Manager assumes full accountability for the safe, efficient and commercial operation of the Wind Farm, including direct management of the operations organisation and full delegated authority in line with the Governance and Control Framework.
• Skills:
• Significant senior leadership experience in offshore wind.
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven responsibility for P&L management and budget accountability.
• Experience working with senior executives, investors, regulators, and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge and Experience:
• Comprehensive understanding of the offshore wind industry, including market trends, operational challenges and emerging technologies.
• Strong knowledge of offshore wind farm operations, asset management principles and performance optimisation.
• Qualifications:
• Degree qualification in Engineering, Renewable Energy, Marine Operations, Business Management, or a related discipline.