Vice President, Commercial Contracting

Birch Creek Energy, a utility-scale solar development company with projects throughout the United States, is seeking a Vice President of Commercial Contracting who thrives in a team-oriented culture and shares our mission to create a future with more renewable energy.

Birch Creek was ranked #3 on Inc. 5000's list of Fastest Growing Companies in 2023.

This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic and experienced Vice President of Commercial Contracting to oversee all aspects of commercial contracting within our Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) team. This role will involve developing, negotiating, and managing commercial contracts for utility-scale solar projects, ensuring compliance, mitigating risks, and driving the company's strategic objectives. The VP of Commercial Contracting will lead a team of professionals and collaborate closely with senior leadership, legal, project management, and project execution teams to ensure the success of our renewable energy projects.

Our headquarters is in St. Louis, with an additional office location in Los Angeles. The ability to work from our STL or LA office is a plus factor, but remote work candidates are also welcomed.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract Strategy & Development:
  • Lead the development and execution of commercial contract strategies for utility-scale solar projects.
  • Lead and negotiate complex contracts with contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and partners, including EPC agreements, equipment procurement agreements, and related services agreements.
  • Provide strategic advice on terms and conditions, commercial risks, and contract obligations to senior leadership.
• Risk Management & Compliance:
  • Identify and mitigate risks associated with commercial contracting and project delivery.
  • Ensure that all contracts comply with relevant legal, regulatory, and industry standards.
  • Oversee the contract review process, ensuring that all terms are aligned with company objectives and industry best practices.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including contractors, vendors, and subcontractors, to ensure long-term partnerships and successful project outcomes.
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams, including legal, finance, operations, project management, and business development, to ensure alignment on key project deliverables and timelines.
  • Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders on contract management processes and best practices.
  • Provide regular updates and reports to senior leadership on contract status, risks, and project performance.

Knowledge & Skills

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience:
  • 6+ years of experience in commercial contracting, preferably within the solar, renewable energy, or construction industries.
  • Proven track record of negotiating, managing, and executing complex commercial contracts in an EPC environment.
  • Strong understanding of solar energy project structures, legal frameworks, and financing arrangements.
• Skills:
  • Expertise in pragmatic thinking, commercial contract negotiation, and risk management.
  • Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
  • Experience with project management tools is a plus.

Desired Attributes

• Strategic Thinker: The ability to think ahead and strategically align commercial contract decisions with the company's long-term goals.
• Proactive Problem Solver: Ability to anticipate challenges and provide solutions before they arise.
• Collaborative Leadership: A leader who fosters a culture of collaboration and accountability, while maintaining a clear focus on delivering results.
• Industry Passion: A deep passion for renewable energy, sustainability, and the solar industry, with a strong drive to contribute to the global clean energy transition.

Why work at Birch Creek?

We take the health and happiness of our employees seriously and offer outstanding benefits, including:

• Competitive salary and bonus.
• Company funded & deeply subsidized benefit options for you and your family that begin the first day of the month after you join us.
• Work-life balance with our responsible Unlimited PTO / Vacation program
• 401(K) + company-match
• Paid maternity & paternity leave
• Remote-friendly (with the option to work out of our St. Louis HQ or LA office)
• A positive, collaborative, and diverse culture
• Social events onsite & remote
• Opportunity to work with an innovative and mission-driven company.
• Career growth and development opportunities in a fast-growing company and industry.