What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Director - ILS position at Tallgrass?
Primary Purpose:
Lead Tallgrass ILS owner representation and operational readiness for a large‑scale, multi‑GW, behind‑the‑meter generating facility compromised of both combined cycle gas turbines and simple cycle aeroderivative turbines. This role is accountable for safe, reliable, and cost‑effective delivery through commissioning, startup, performance acceptance and transition to long‑term operations. The Plant Director will act as Tallgrass ILS’s senior on‑site owner representative for an LSTK EPC contract while managing Owner‑directed subcontracts, establishing operations and maintenance practices, ensuring regulatory/compliance obligations, and building the site leadership team needed to operate complex power generation assets and associated carbon capture infrastructure.
Responsibilities
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership support for the plant from late‑stage design through construction, commissioning, commercial acceptance and into sustained operations.
- Serve as the senior Tallgrass ILS owner representative on site for the LSTK EPC Contractor: ensure adherence to contract requirements, schedule milestones, quality, technical specifications and acceptance criteria.
- Lead development and execution of commissioning, startup and performance testing programs, including pre‑startup safety reviews (PSSR), commissioning procedures, system integration and performance guarantee testing.
- Work closely with other team members to review and select an O&M Provider for the power generation assets and the substation assets.
- In conjunction with the selected O&M provider, plan, build and lead the site leadership organization (Operations, Maintenance, Commissioning, HSE, Engineering, Contracts/Procurement, HR/Admin) required for initial operations and sustained reliability.
- Develop and implement operations readiness plans: staffing, SOPs, training, spare parts strategy, logistics, and initial inventory for long‑term reliable operation.
- Establish and implement maintenance and asset management strategies (preventive, predictive, condition‑based, reliability centered maintenance), and oversee CMMS implementation (Maximo preferred) for maintenance planning, scheduling and work execution.
- Own HSE and process safety culture: ensure contractor and owner teams meet Tallgrass ILS HSE standards, regulatory requirements and best practices for chemical/process safety and high‑energy systems. Lead regulatory engagement and environmental compliance.
- Manage plant delivery and initial operations budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting. Drive cost control initiatives and life‑cycle cost optimization.
- Define and monitor KPIs for construction, commissioning and operation (safety metrics, schedule adherence, cost variance, availability, output/GW, efficiency, defect/warranty closure). Report progress to Tallgrass ILS executive leadership and stakeholders, including financing parties.
- Oversee owner‑directed subcontracts: procurement, installation oversight, vendor management and acceptance testing of critical long‑lead or scope‑specific items.
- Ensure robust spare parts, critical spares and logistics strategies aligned with plant risk profile and supply chain realities.
- Lead crisis and emergency response planning and provide active leadership during outages, incidents, or contingency events.
- Build relationships with lenders, insurers, regulators, technology licensors and equipment suppliers as needed to support plant delivery and operations.
- Perform other duties as assigned by Tallgrass ILS leadership.
Qualifications:
Minimum Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical), Power Systems, or related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
Experience/Specific Knowledge:
- 15 years of progressive experience in large‑scale power generation.
- 15 years in senior leadership roles with direct accountability for plant delivery, commissioning/startup, and/or operations of large assets (multi‑MW to multi‑GW).
- Demonstrated experience representing an Owner during LSTK/EPC execution and commissioning of major energy/chemical projects.
- Proven track record delivering commissioning, performance testing and acceptance for complex, multi‑technology plants.
- Familiarity with power generation technologies (combined‑cycle gas turbines, aeroderivative gas turbines, grid interconnection, BOP), and energy storage.
- Strong understanding of process safety (PSM/CCPS), electrical safety, high‑energy systems and industrial environmental regulations.
- Experience implementing operations readiness, CMMS (Maximo preferred), reliability programs and condition‑based maintenance strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage contractors, and influence without direct authority..
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.
- Preferred: NEBOSH, IOSH, OSHA 30, or other recognized safety leadership certifications
- Peferred: Professional Engineer (PE), PMP or equivalent project/contract management certification.
- Ability to obtain additional certifications as needed.
Competencies, Skills & Abilities:
- Strong safety leadership and commitment to HSE and process safety culture.
- Exceptional stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills. Ability to distill complex technical issues for executive audiences.
- Commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting and cost control for large projects and operations.
- Strong contract/commercial management skills: scope control, change management, claims mitigation.
- Effective people leader with demonstrated ability to recruit, build and retain high‑performing teams.
- Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high‑pressure environments and drive decisive action.
- Proficient with CMMS (Maximo), historian systems (OSI PI), Microsoft Office suite (Excel advanced), and standard asset management tools. Willingness and ability to be resident on site for extended periods during construction/commissioning and to travel as required
Physical Demands:
All the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Frequent sitting, standing, walking or moving throughout facility and construction areas; occasional climbing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
- Ability to access all plant areas and to use personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
- Talking, hearing, close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. Occasional lifting of items up to 25 lbs. and frequent use of hands for typing, handling documents and tools.
Working Conditions:
- The Plant Director is expected to be on site regularly during construction, commissioning and early operations; residency on site during peak phases is required.
- Infrequent overnight and weekend travel to suppliers, corporate offices, regulatory meetings and other sites may be required.
- Required to carry a company cell phone and be available to respond during working and non‑working hours as necessary. The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and complete background check (including credit report for certain roles) after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.
Supervisory Responsibility:
Yes — direct supervisory responsibility for site leadership and functional Directors. Responsible for hiring, coaching, performance management and development of staff
PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
Above the minimum requirements; not required but advantageous in this position:
- Prior experience as Owner’s Representative or Plant Director on LSTK/EPC projects for multi‑GW power or large chemical facilities.
- Experience with combined cycle plant commissioning, aeroderivative commissioning, electrolysis/hydrogen production, battery energy storage systems and integration of multiple generation technologies on a private utility network.
- Experience implementing and optimizing Maximo CMMS at site level, and integration with condition monitoring tools and OSI PI.
- Prior exposure to CCUS or large‑scale emissions control technologies and permitting processes.
- Familiarity with utility interconnection, behind‑the‑meter (BTM) regulations and private use networks (PUN) operations.
- Experience leading multi‑contractor environments and managing owner‑directed subcontracts in parallel with LSTK scope.
- Experience managing interactions with lenders, insurers and performance guarantee frameworks.
- Advanced Excel and data analytics skills, and experience with reliability engineering and root cause analysis methods.
Other responsibilities:
- Please note this job description is not designed to encompass or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
About Us
Tallgrass was named one of the 2023 Top Workplaces USA and highlighted in Colorado's Top Workplaces for the past seven consecutive years. Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that power our nation and enable our quality of life.
At Tallgrass, we value our teams and strive to create an environment where employees feel respected, and their contributions are valued. We aim to support employees' physical, mental, and financial well-being through a comprehensive Total Rewards Program.
- Industry competitive pay.
- Health insurance package options that include Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts.
- Infertility Coverage.
- Parental Leave.
- 401(k) with up to a 6% match that vests immediately plus an employer discretionary contribution of up to 4%.
- Wellness Programs and Mental Health Resources.
- Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
- Critical Illness & Accident Insurance.
- Vacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, volunteer and bereavement paid time off.
- Identity theft protection.
- Annual discretionary bonus.
- Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program.
- Company-paid holidays and floating holidays.
- Company vehicle (if applicable).
- Employee discounts; vehicles, tires, cellular plans, and more.
- Networking and employee engagement events.
- Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests.
Application Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by position; however, all Tallgrass positions accept applications for at least five business days from the posting date. This position is open and still accepting applications.
Compensation: Compensation ranges are provided in good faith based on what we anticipate when researching wages for this position at the state and national levels. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.
Notice to External Search Firms: Tallgrass does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Tallgrass property; therefore, Tallgrass will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited referral. Approved vendors may be invited to refer talent for specific positions at Tallgrass's request only. A fully executed agreement with Tallgrass must be in place and current in these cases.
EEO Statement: Tallgrass complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) affirmative action laws and regulations. Tallgrass does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, or other status protected by law.