Millar Cameron are delighted to be supporting Gridworks with the recruitment of a Head of Engineering & Construction.
Location South Africa, Nairobi or London Ref A003238
Gridworks Development Partners LLP (Gridworks) is a development and investment platform dedicated to Africa’s electricity networks. Established in 2019, Gridworks is a pioneer in the Transmission, Distribution, and Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) sectors, parts of the power sector that have historically suffered from chronic under-investment. Gridworks is wholly owned and funded by British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution. It develops and invests in critical power infrastructure, both on and off-grid, to create sustainable, affordable, and reliable power sectors that drive economic growth.
About the role
The Head of Engineering & Construction is a core member of the executive management team and will be responsible for maximizing the long-term value, performance, and resilience of Gridworks’ portfolio throughout the project lifecycle, from pre-investment due diligence, through project development and construction, and then operations.
This role provides portfolio-wide leadership across engineering, construction delivery and project management governance (PMO), ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and perform optimally throughout their lifecycle. In due course as assets come on stream, the Head of Engineering & Construction will also assume responsibility for asset management across the portfolio.
The Head of Engineering & Construction will be supported by Gridworks’ head office engineering team, with dedicated engineering team members also embedded in portfolio companies and project SPVs.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and implement portfolio-wide Engineering, Construction and, when appropriate, Asset Management strategies aligned with investment objectives and risk appetite.
- Establish performance benchmarks, KPIs, and reporting frameworks for construction and operational assets.
- Lead continuous improvement in asset reliability, availability, resilience, and cost efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with Gridworks EHSS policies and procedures.
Project Development and Due Diligence
- Lead the technical strands of commercial, contractual and operational due diligence and support investment teams in the origination, qualification and development of investment opportunities.
Construction Delivery & Project Management (Financial Close to COD)
- Oversee all construction activities across the portfolio, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to required technical standards.
- Oversee Owner’s Engineers and EPC contractor performance, including contract compliance, claims management, and change control.
- Ensure compliance with technical, H&S, environmental, social, and ESG standards.
- Lead construction risk management and escalation of material issues.
Construction-to-Operations Transition & Asset Readiness
- Define and manage structured handover of projects from development and construction into operations.
- Supervise operational readiness, commissioning, documentation, completion of punch lists, warranty management, and post-completion risk mitigation.
- Design and implement operating models, advising on asset operations, organisational design, and business processes.
Asset Management (Post-COD)
- Oversee operational performance of assets through SPVs and O&M contractors to ensure anticipated returns.
- Supervise Gridwork’s implementation of asset management strategies and lifecycle optimisation plans.
- Ensure robust performance monitoring, reporting, and optimisation throughout asset life.
- Participate in portfolio management processes, including Quarterly Portfolio Reviews (QPRs), ensuring consistency, accountability, and timely escalation of risks.
- Work closely with Portfolio Management Leads (PMLs) to ensure effective technical and performance matters are addressed and resolved.
PMO, Systems & Capability Development
- Design and implement a scalable Construction and Asset Management framework, including standardised PMO processes.
- Develop systems, processes, and controls to manage multiple assets and Owner’s Engineers efficiently.
- Build and manage teams of Construction Managers, Asset Managers, and PMO staff, and support capacity building within SPVs and local teams.
Skills and experience
Candidates for the Head of Engineering & Construction will have a lengthy track record in the design, planning and construction of large scale, high value infrastructure projects in emerging markets, ideally in Africa. It is highly likely that they will have a first hand experience in the design, construction or operation of transmission, distribution and/or power grid infrastructure as part of a standalone project or as part of a wider power generation project.
Experience, Qualifications & Approach
- Senior Infrastructure Expertise: Deep experience in energy utilities and large-scale infrastructure project delivery. Experience in complex transmission and distribution infrastructure would be ideal.
- Operational Insight: Strong understanding of construction risk, operational asset performance, and long-term value creation.
- Technical Due Diligence: Ability to lead technical strands of commercial and contractual due diligence to support investment teams during funding/project financing.
- Stakeholder Management: Experience engaging effectively with senior stakeholders, including contacts, lenders, regulators, and government officials.
- Contracting and Contractor Management: A proven track record of identifying, selecting, engaging and managing the performance of EPC contractors, Owner’s Engineers, consultants and other advisors.
- Process & Frameworks Development: Experienced in the development and consistent application of best practice processes and frameworks across multiple assets and workstreams.
- Emerging Markets: Proven experience operating across emerging markets, with a strong preference for experience in Africa.
- Health & Safety: Detailed knowledge and experience in the Health & Safety aspects of complex infrastructure project construction and operations, ideally gained in the power sector.
- Collaboration and Communication: An effective verbal and written communicator with the ability to develop rapport and work collaboratively within a high calibre, closely knit team.
- Management Experience: Demonstrable team leadership, people and process development skills. Capable of creating a high performing team operating across a diverse portfolio of assets and projects.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that individuals from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for roles unless they meet every listed qualification. At Millar Cameron, we are committed to supporting our clients in building diverse and inclusive teams. If you’re enthusiastic about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply - you could be exactly what our client is looking for, either for this position or another.
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