Chief Operating Officer
About our Client
Founded in 2005, our client is a globally recognized renewable energy company
headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa, with operations spanning seven countries across four
continents. The group delivers integrated sustainable solutions across Solar PV, Green Hydrogen, its
derivatives, and Battery Energy Storage Systems.
They have invested over R4 billion in South Africa and commissioned more than 500 MWp of Solar PV
capacity globally. In parallel, the Phelan Family has secured a strategic land portfolio exceeding
30,000 hectares to underpin the development of large-scale renewable energy and green fuel
projects.
Over the past four years, they have expanded its focus into Green Hydrogen and downstream fuels,
with a particular emphasis on eSAF (electro-sustainable aviation fuel). These projects are being
developed to meet RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) compliance requirements for
both the EU and UK markets, positioning the group at the forefront of the energy transition in hardto-
abate sectors.
The flagship project is located in Hopefield, Western Cape, South Africa. Phase 1 targets production
of 35,000 tonnes per annum of eSAF, scaling to 140,000 tonnes per annum at full capacity. The 73-
hectare processing plant is co-located with 300 MW of Solar PV for phase 1, enabling fully integrated
renewable energy supply. For phase 1, the project will require 20,000 tonnes per annum of Green
Hydrogen and 120,000 tonnes per annum of CO₂.
Underpinned by an experienced executive team, their core objective is to deliver globally
competitive, low-cost green energy solutions. As the world accelerates toward decarbonisation, the
group remains focused on developing scalable, commercially viable projects that support the
transition to a more sustainable energy future.
Role Overview
Our client is delivering a large-scale infrastructure project structured into multiple parallel
construction streams, each led by senior construction and engineering managers.
They require a Chief Operating Officer to integrate, coordinate and drive performance across
all project divisions, ensuring alignment on programme, cost control, quality, safety, and
reporting.
This is a senior operational leadership role responsible for unifying all construction activities
into one cohesive, high-performance delivery structure.
This is a leadership role for an individual who takes full ownership, thrives in a fast-paced,
mission-driven environment, and is unwavering in their commitment to excellence. The
ideal candidate will bring energy, curiosity, and a proactive, hands-on approach —
transforming planning into a strategic engine of innovation, efficiency, and sustainability
while delivering maximum commercial value and advancing the company’s mission to
accelerate the global transition to clean energy.
Purpose of the Role
• Integrate all construction streams into a unified execution framework
• Align senior managers on programme, cost, quality and HSE
• Ensure standardised reporting, controls and governance
• Remove operational silos and drive accountability
• Provide consolidated operational leadership to the Executive Team and Board
Key Responsibilities
1. Integrated Operational Leadership
• Lead and align all construction streams under a single operational structure
• Drive collaboration between divisions to prevent duplication, gaps or conflict
• Ensure consistent construction standards and methodologies
• Manage critical interfaces between work packages
2. Programme & Schedule Governance
• Consolidate all schedules into a single master integrated programme
• Monitor critical path and performance trends
• Chair weekly executive construction reviews
3. Budget & Commercial Oversight
• Oversee consolidated project financial performance
• Monitor cost control across all divisions
• Identify early commercial risks
• Ensure procurement and contractor alignment
4. HSE & Quality Leadership
• Implement uniform safety governance across the project
• Drive a zero-harm culture
• Standardise QA/QC systems and reporting
• Lead executive-level safety audits and reviews
5. Executive Reporting & Governance
• Provide consolidated reporting to Board through Chairman
• Standardise dashboards and performance metrics
• Ensure transparent and accurate progress measurement
• Act as senior operational interface with key stakeholders
6. Contractor & Stakeholder Management
• Act as the senior escalation point for major contractors
• Coordinate contractor interfaces
• Maintain oversight of regulatory and compliance matters
Key Competencies
• Proven leadership of large-scale infrastructure or energy construction projects
• Strong multi-stream integration capability
• Advanced programme and performance management skills
• Commercial and contractual acumen
• Executive-level stakeholder management
• Ability to lead and unify senior leaders
• Structured, decisive and delivery-focused
Experience & Qualifications
• 15+ years’ experience, ideally in the construction sector
• 8+ years in senior leadership
• Experience managing complex projects divided into multiple work packages
• Degree in Engineering / Construction Management (MBA advantageous)
• Renewable energy / industrial infrastructure experience preferred.