EPC Director - XL Offshore Wind Farm

A once-in-a-generation challenge: Lead the EPC Construction of One of the World’s Largest Offshore Wind Farms

Despite current market headwinds, our robust pipeline ensures we are at the forefront of the energy transition. We are seeking an exceptional and politically astute EPC Director to take ownership of the full construction delivery of an XL offshore wind farm project.

This role sits within the Project Delivery and Engineering BU Offshore Wind, part of Business Area Wind, which is responsible for safely constructing next-generation offshore wind farms across the Northern part of Europe. We are committed to an inclusive, cooperative, and open environment, placing safety, environment, and people first in a value-based and purpose-driven organization.

The Role & Context: Strategic Delivery in a Complex Joint Venture

As the EPC Director, you will be singularly accountable for successfully delivering the construction project scope from Pre-FID through the full manufacturing and construction phases until the final hand-over to Vattenfall Generation (O&M). Projects may operate under a highly engaged Vattenfall-owned financed project and/or a highly engaged Joint Venture structure, requiring a unique blend of technical mastery and diplomatic fortitude.

Leading the EPC function and its package managers, you will be responsible for aligning an integrated project team that includes key resources and contributors for both types of project setup. You will be an integral part of the core Project Management Team, collaborating directly with the Project Director (PD) and the Commercial Project Director (CPM), and operating under a joint leadership setup that requires constant navigation and consensus building.

Note on Reporting and Stakeholders: You will report directly to the Project Director. Given the strong, active involvement and differing methodologies in the case of a Joint Venture setup, the governance environment is naturally dynamic and could be highly political as well. Often, the Project Director holds an assertive approach to project governance and aims to maintain significant oversight and control within the EPC execution area. Success in this role demands exceptional political acumen, firm and evidence-based argumentation, and proven resilience to proactively manage and align conflicting priorities while consistently driving the optimal outcome for the project's business case.

Key Responsibilities:

I. Pre-FID Strategy and Optimization

• Ambitiously drive the project's business cases towards an optimised level, leveraging strong supplier cooperation, innovative commercial engineering solutions, and proactive risk management/mitigation.
• Provide the definitive EPC part of budgets for FID, encompassing project-specific CAPEX, OPEX, and Annual Energy Production (AEP) assumptions.
• Lead complex contract negotiations, securing favourable terms and contract awards with major scope package suppliers based on preferred concepts.

II. Project Execution and Delivery

• Ensure exceptional QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety, Environment) performance throughout all phases of the project lifecycle, including uncompromising assurance of deliverable quality from EPC teams and external suppliers.
• Deploy advanced quality assurance methodologies, notably the APQP4 framework among key suppliers, to fortify front-end processes, extend asset longevity, minimize operational disruptions, and drive consistently high energy availability.
• Be fully responsible for delivering the construction project scope on schedule, on budget, and to the agreed quality.
• Manage timely execution through proactive critical path overview and rapid intervention against slippage.
• Oversee and manage the full manufacturing and construction phases, ensuring seamless execution across all major scope packages.

III. Leadership and Stakeholder Navigation

• Lead and empower a multidisciplinary team of package managers, driving collaboration through clear communication and priority setting.
• Ensure efficient decision-making and strong stakeholder alignment across internal BU functions and external regulators.
• Maintain transparent and fact-based reporting to the Project Director and the steering committee, managing potential conflicts and ensuring the EPC execution plan is understood and supported by all partners.
• Continuously capture and deliver lessons learned back to the wider organisation to benefit future projects in our growing portfolio.

The Required Profile:

We are looking for an EPC Director who is self-driven and proactive, ready to challenge the status quo, and embodies our belief in a learning, empowering, and trusting culture even when faced with political complexity.

• 10-15 years of senior-level executive experience in the delivery of large-scale Energy EPC projects, including having successfully led at least two major offshore wind farm projects as the EPC Director or similar, overseeing them from late-stage development (Pre-FID) through to completion, including construction, commissioning, and final handover to Operations & Maintenance (O&M). Must demonstrate proven ability to manage the entire project lifecycle and concurrently lead multiple tier-one suppliers through complex contracting and construction phases.
• Proven track record of success in leading highly complex projects within Joint Venture ownership structures, demonstrating deep understanding of governance and political dynamics. Requires exceptional political acumen, negotiation prowess, and mental resilience to operate effectively in a challenging, high-pressure, and often confrontational stakeholder environment. Must possess a strong, proactive leadership mindset suitable for leading diverse, multi-disciplinary teams within a matrix organisation, driving results in a motivating and inclusive environment.
• Strong commercial and technical understanding of all major offshore wind components (Turbines, Foundations, Substations, Electrical systems, etc.) and related contracting standards (FIDIC, bespoke EPC contracts). Must possess solid knowledge and understanding of how technical and commercial levers impact the overall business case.
• Excellent technical, commercial, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to align Joint Venture partners and secure necessary project support.
• Holds a Master’s degree in engineering and/or a related technical field and/or a master commercial degree with excellent understanding of technically relevant areas, ideally supported by advanced leadership training relevant to leading leaders. Senior Project Management knowledge and competence equivalent to IPMA Level A/B and/or PMI PgMP certification (or similar high-level credential) is highly desirable.
• Fluent English is mandatory. Willingness and ability to travel frequently to project sites, suppliers, and partner offices.

Our Offer

We offer good remuneration, a challenging and international work environment, and the possibility to work with some of the best in the field. You will be working in interdisciplinary teams and can always count on support from committed colleagues. We provide attractive employment conditions and opportunities for personal and professional development.

For more information about the position, you are welcome to contact Head of Project Execution at karstendan.andersen@vattenfall.com

The security of Vattenfall and its employees is essential. For that reason, a pre-employment screening will be part of your recruitment process. The screening is based on the role you will fulfill within Vattenfall and will be performed by a third party, DISA Global Solutions AB.

We look forward to receiving your application! 🌍

Vattenfall is a European energy company with approximately 21,000 employees. We are looking for talented individuals who, in addition to their passion for their own role, also have strong team spirit and want to contribute to supporting a meaningful corporate mission.