Head of O&M Commercial Operations

We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development.

For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise.

Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long-term sustainable growth and energy security.

Lightsource bp operates with five core values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Drive. We seek to attract and hire individuals who share our commitment to creating a safe workplace, uphold the highest standards of integrity, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, communities, and the environment. Our recruitment process promotes sustainability by valuing long-term growth and responsible practices, while seeking candidates with the drive to innovate and lead in the global energy transition. Together, these values shape how we engage, assess, and welcome talent to join us in delivering transformational solar power solutions worldwide. 

Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024.

What you’ll do (the role)

Summary

Act as the primary Senior Lead across all client relationships, business development and our commercial operations function. Overseeing management of the Lightsource bp large-scale maintained sites in the UK as well as all 3rd party client sites. Manage and deliver the contractual obligations as per contract and support the O&M Director to develop and implement Business practices and processes in the UK.

Responsibilities of the Role

General management requirements

• Developing policies, processes, and procedures to ensure all relevant procedural and contract requirements are fulfilled
• Working with internal stakeholders and departments to improve our overall business outputs and establish strong networks with Asset Management.
• Lead on continuous improvement activities as determined by the business needs.
• Establish and maintain a professional relationship with all key stakeholders /customers. Support on Business Development with the BDM and O&M Director, by providing client insights and reviewing proposals/tenders.
• Lead on the team’s process improvement and service offering to our clients
• Line Management responsibility for your direct team of portfolio specialists as well as the BDM and business operations
• Required to travel to London office and other locations to support client meetings as and when required

Daily Client Management Operation and Business development

• Manage day to day operations of the Client Management team providing guidance, encouraging teamwork, and facilitating related professional work processes in order to achieve high performance standards
• Point of contact for escalation and high priority items
• Lead on monthly/quarterly client meetings supporting the Portfolio Managers
• Support and drive through the BDM pipeline of business opportunities for the O&M business to grow its third-party asset base, helping convert these to profitable contracts.
• Oversee and develop further promotional and contractual materials which can be used to respond to tender requests for new service contracts.
• Continually iterate our standard service contract, adapting to market demands and ensuring profitability for the business.
• Fully converse with the business’ cost-to-serve as a key input to contract financial models which can be used to negotiate commercial terms which meet LSbp’s margin requirements for new contracts.
• Represent LSbp professionally and effectively at external meetings and industry events across the UK, conveying our business and development acumen in a professional manner.

Performance and business wide operations

• Performance review of the sites as well as analysis of potential optimisation projects/actions
• Monthly review of operational and financial KPIs, identification of improvement opportunities
• Responsible of managing the Portfolios dealing with and managing internal and external stakeholders including external clients
• Take accountability of the O&M fleet management, from preparing business cases for capex investments, introduction of an EV fleets through to overseeing the fleet strategy on behalf of the business.
• Management of the office operations in conjunction with the business support co-ordinator.

Contract management

• Monitor and influence all maintenance and operations and maintenance activities for the Portfolios
• Maintain and grow good relations with all contract parties. Manage and co-ordinate potential contract modifications
• Provide governance and support on site punch list items closeout in a timely manner.
• Support in the due diligence process of contract reviews, or new contract implementation, including review of financial and operational assumptions.

Continuous improvement

• Leading continuous improvement activities across O&M UK driven through business need requirements.  As well as this, working in conjunction with Asset Management on any Asset Services improvement activities.
• Lead on developing policies, processes, and procedures to ensure all relevant procedural and contract requirements are fulfilled
• Lead on the new EAMS implementation and interaction with IT team
• Facilitate and drive “business” campaign rooms

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

Experience & Knowledge Required

• Operational understanding of O&M business
• Lean Six sigma
• Knowledge of the solar industry would be an advantage
• Experience of contractual requirements within an O&M function

Skills Required

• Team Leadership: Proven line management experience, mentoring, and developing a team including portfolio specialists and business development managers.
• Client Relationship Management: Strong ability to maintain and grow positive client relationships, act as senior lead/contact, and handle escalations or high-priority issues.
• Stakeholder Management: Work collaboratively with internal teams — Asset Management, Business Development, and Operations — as well as external clients and contractors.
• Strategic Planning: Ability to oversee and refine business practices, commercial offers, and client services aligned with market demands and business objectives.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to represent the company at client meetings, industry events, and internal forums.

Education Required

• Planning background advantageous or similar electrical background.
• Any planning-related qualifications.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent would be advantageous.

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you: We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible: Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible. 

Be recognized: Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired: Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. These include our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project, or volunteering on our VIBES committee to name a few.

Our core values: Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do. 

For further information on our career opportunities and life at Lightsource bp, please visit https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers/