Chief BESS Officer
Matar, IndiaFull-timeSenior · 15+ years
About this role
Job Description (JD)
Chief BESS Officer (CBO) – Matar Facility
Job Title: Chief BESS Officer (CBO)
Location: Matar Facility
Reporting To: CEO – BESS (Mr. Erez)
Department: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
The Chief BESS Officer (CBO) is the senior-most executive responsible for the overall leadership, performance, safety, reliability, operational excellence, and strategic development of the Matar Facility's Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) operations. The role will drive the facility's technical, operational, financial, and regulatory objectives while ensuring optimal asset performance and alignment with corporate goals.
Reporting directly to the CEO – BESS (Mr. Erez), the CBO will lead all BESS-related functions including operations, maintenance, engineering, HSE, asset management, project execution, compliance, and stakeholder management.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the long-term BESS operational and growth strategy for the Matar Facility.
- Align facility objectives with company-wide business goals and energy transition initiatives.
- Identify opportunities for operational optimization, capacity enhancement, and technological improvements.
- Provide strategic recommendations to the CEO on asset performance, investment planning, and risk mitigation.
Operations & Asset Management
- Ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all BESS assets.
- Monitor and optimize system availability, efficiency, and performance KPIs.
- Lead asset lifecycle management, including preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational reliability and reduce downtime.
Engineering & Technical Excellence
- Oversee all engineering activities related to BESS systems, including battery modules, PCS, EMS, SCADA, HVAC, fire suppression systems, and balance-of-plant equipment.
- Ensure adherence to OEM recommendations and industry best practices.
- Lead technical troubleshooting and root cause analysis for major system events.
- Evaluate and implement emerging battery storage technologies and innovations.
Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE)
- Foster a strong safety culture across the facility.
- Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, environmental requirements, and industry standards.
- Manage emergency preparedness and incident response programs.
- Lead investigations related to safety incidents, equipment failures, and operational disruptions.
Financial & Commercial Management
- Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets.
- Optimize operating costs while maintaining asset reliability and performance.
- Support commercial negotiations with vendors, OEMs, EPC contractors, and service providers.
- Monitor financial performance and deliver cost-saving initiatives.
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Ensure compliance with applicable national and local regulations, grid codes, environmental standards, and industry requirements.
- Maintain readiness for audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews.
- Implement corporate governance policies and risk management frameworks.
Project Management
- Lead expansion, upgrade, retrofit, and commissioning projects.
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure project delivery within scope, budget, and schedule.
- Oversee performance testing and acceptance of new systems and assets.
People Leadership
- Build, develop, and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary team.
- Establish succession planning and talent development programs.
- Drive employee engagement, accountability, and performance management.
- Mentor facility leadership teams and technical specialists.
Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary operational representative for the Matar Facility.
- Maintain strong relationships with regulators, utilities, EPC contractors, technology providers, and key customers.
- Present operational performance and strategic updates to executive leadership.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- BESS System Availability (%)
- Round-Trip Efficiency (%)
- Operational Uptime (%)
- Safety Performance (LTIFR/TRIR)
- Budget Adherence
- Energy Dispatch Performance
- Regulatory Compliance Score
- Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
- Mean Time to Repair (MTTR)
- Asset Reliability Index
- Project Delivery Performance
- Employee Engagement & Retention
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Renewable Energy, Electronics Engineering, or related field.
- Master's Degree in Engineering, Energy Management, or Business Administration (MBA) preferred.
Experience
- 15+ years of experience in power generation, renewable energy, energy storage, or utility-scale electrical infrastructure.
- Minimum 8 years in senior leadership or executive-level roles.
- Proven experience managing utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- Demonstrated track record in asset management, operations, commissioning, and large-scale project delivery.
Technical Competencies
- Deep understanding of:
- Battery Technologies (Lithium-Ion, LFP, NMC, etc.)
- Energy Management Systems (EMS)
- SCADA Systems
- Power Conversion Systems (PCS)
- Grid Integration and Grid Code Compliance
- Fire Protection and Thermal Management Systems
- Asset Performance Analytics
- Reliability-Centered Maintenance
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Vision
- Executive Leadership
- Change Management
- Financial Acumen
- Risk Management
- Decision-Making Under Pressure
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Team Development and Coaching