Interim Senior Asset Manager (m/w/d)

Cero Generation is a leading IPP, specialised in developing, constructing and operating solar energy and battery storage projects, accelerating the delivery of a net-zero future across Europe.

Powered by an experienced team that brings world-class industry, commercial, engineering and environmental expertise to its projects, Cero is active through every stage of the lifecycle, from planning and construction to operation. It works closely with local development partners, suppliers and stakeholders to deliver high-impact projects that positively benefit the environment and community.

Cero Generation is a Macquarie Asset Management portfolio company, operating on a stand-alone basis.

About the role

The Asset Manager is entrusted with the comprehensive management of utility-scale photovoltaic assets, including Agri PV projects (experience with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) would be a plus), ensuring optimal technical performance, financial returns, regulatory compliance, and long-term asset value preservation. This role requires a strategic mindset, hands-on operational oversight, and the ability to interface with multidisciplinary teams (finance, legal, energy management, CoSec, engineering, construction WHSEQ), external contractors, providers and stakeholders.

Main responsibilities

Technical

• Overall responsibility for the technical performance and availability of PV plants (HV/MV/LV systems, modules, inverters, substations, BESS if applicable).
• Monitor plant performance using SCADA system inclusive of PR analysis, loss analysis (including curtailments), availability KPIs and degradation trends.
• Regular site visits to follow up on maintenance activities, WHSE, general sites condition and landlord/contractor management.
• Monitor preventative and corrective maintenance activities and compliance with response times in accordance to OM Contract
• Identify, analyse and coordinate resolution of technical issues (chronic underperformance, inverter failures, HV faults, grid curtailments).
• Manage major corrective interventions, component replacements and warranty claims with suppliers and OEMs.
• Oversee HV/MV infrastructure, including substations, protection systems and interfaces with the DSO/TSO.
• Support technical input for repowering, revamping and optimization initiatives.
• Support on negotiation of O&M and asset management agreements
• Support the construction team by providing input for future asset management and coordinating the close‑out of the PAC Punch list and other handover activities.
• Coordinate and supervise agricultural activities carried out within agrivoltaic plants (crop cultivation, grazing, land maintenance) in accordance to Agri PV contract and associated approvals/permits
• Ensure alignment between PV operation requirements and agricultural practices, avoiding interference with plant safety or performance.
• Liaise with agronomists, farming contractors and landowners.
• Monitor compliance with agrivoltaic permits, incentives and GSE requirements, where applicable.
• Ensure agricultural KPIs and reporting obligations are properly managed and documented

Management

• Supporting Origination Team in manage relationships with utilities and off takers under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs); oversee billing, metering, and settlement processes to ensure accurate revenue collection.
• Manage contracts with external service providers (EPC, O&M, OSP, external asset manager, Landlord , Agri PV Farmer (in any)), monitoring performance and service quality delivery, ensuring compliance with all contractual obligations and regulatory requirements.
• Facilitate performance reviews, contract renewals, and issue resolution.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Support internal reporting, providing regular updates on asset performance
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly and annual reports, including KPIs and risk assessments.
• Lender and Financial Institution Coordination
• Coordinate with grid operator particularly in regards to curtailment compliance and mitigation
• Support Finance Business Partner to ensure compliance with loan covenants and reporting obligations.
• Participate to audits, inspections, and financial reviews as required by financing agreements.

Community Engagement

• Maintain communication with local authorities and regulators to ensure compliance and foster goodwill.
• Represent the company in community meetings or public forums when necessary.

Regulatory

• Cooperate with WHSEQ Team on compliance with environmental impact assessments, wildlife protection laws, and land use permits.
• Supporting WHSEQ Team to adherence to occupational health and safety standards for on-site operations and maintenance activities.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with legal, finance and CoSec teams to align asset strategy and operations.
• Provide commercial insights to support cross-functional decision-making.

Performance and KPI Monitoring

• Collaborate with Finance Business Partner to assess on regular basis EBITDA KPI and identify areas for improvement.

Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate commercial risks across the asset portfolio.

Insurance

• Support insurance strategy and placement on yearly basis providing inputs
• Claims management

Financial Oversight (collaboration with the Finance Business Partner)

• Collaborate with the Finance Business Partner in monitoring and analysing the financial performance of PV assets, contributing to insights on P&L trends, cash flow variations, and return on investment.
  Provide commercial and operational input to support the budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning processes.
• Work jointly with Finance to support the preparation of stakeholders' reports, ensuring commercial assumptions and asset performance data are accurately reflected.
• Work with the Finance team in ensuring timely invoicing, revenue recognition, and cost tracking, helping to identify potential risks and optimisation opportunities.

About You

• Proven strong experience in large utility-scale solar PV asset management (ideally with Italian Assets), with responsibility for optimising technical performance, availability and long-term asset value (BESS experience desirable).
• Strong technical knowledge of PV plant operations, including HV/MV/LV electrical systems, substations, inverters, SCADA systems and plant performance analysis.
• Experience managing O&M contractors, EPCs and other service providers, with a strong understanding of maintenance strategies, warranty management and contract performance.
• Sound commercial acumen, including experience supporting Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), budgeting, forecasting, financial performance monitoring and operational reporting.
• Good understanding of grid operations, regulatory compliance, health & safety and environmental requirements within the renewable energy sector and the relevant jurisdiction for the asset location.
• Experience working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams, including Engineering, Construction, Finance, Legal, Energy Management and WHSEQ.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience engaging lenders, utilities, grid operators, local authorities, landowners and external contractors.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify performance issues, mitigate operational risks and drive continuous asset optimisation.
• Experience of agrivoltaic projects and/or Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) would be advantageous.
• Full professional proficiency in both Italian and English is essential

Working with Cero Generation

Our shared culture is all about doing the right thing for our company, our people and the world around us.

We're passionate about renewable energy and the vital role it can play in safeguarding the future of our planet. That's why we're all committed to collaborating to achieve excellence in our field to deliver better outcomes for all.

We're led by a simple promise to all our people: you'll get back what you put in.

We'll empower you to deliver on our commitments and reward you for achieving the high standards that we set.

Diversity, inclusion & privacy

Cero Generation understands the importance of diversity and inclusion. We value the innovation and creativity that diversity of thought brings. If you are capable, motivated and can deliver, we want you on our team. Cero Generation is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, gender identity, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race (including colour and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief. We facilitate a range of flexible working arrangements within our teams. Talk to us about what flexibility may be available.

Cero Generation respects the privacy of the people we deal with, and we uphold high standards of privacy practice and security. Our privacy policy is available on our website at cerogeneration.com.