The role of an Interim Manager in the energy sector

Subject to major economic changes, which involve in-depth modifications at different levels, the energy sector is increasingly calling on high-level external skills to cope with the changes it is going through. A look back at the challenges facing this booming sector and the importance of the Interim Manager in a sometimes complex situation.

Why hire an Energy Transition Manager?

The energy transition is a major challenge for France. The long-term development of renewable energies is now a necessity, both for security of supply and for the preservation of the environment.

Increasingly demanding legislation and increasingly ambitious objectives set by governments require the sector to constantly adapt to complex changes.

The nuclear sector is particularly subject to various pressures, in a context of questioning of investments in the nuclear field and the end of life of power plants. In addition, the final shutdown of four reactors in 2015 led to a significant drop in the nuclear fleet, while France must reach the objective of 50% of electricity from nuclear sources by 2025.

Environmental issues require increased attention to the energy transition: techniques for recycling waste and saving energy are becoming central, as well as finding solutions to make greater use of natural energies.

These profound upheavals force players in the energy sector to adapt quickly.

Energy is therefore a strategic sector which has to deal with major changes, which involve radical changes in working methods.

In this context of profound change, the missions entrusted to an Interim Manager can be very varied. They have in common to require very specific technical skills as well as high adaptability.

What positions does an Interim Manager occupy in the energy sector?

The energy sector requires a variety of skills.

• Activity Manager: the Transition Manager will have to integrate the management team to guarantee the operational performance of the energy site. He must ensure that the activity in place complies with legal requirements, while enhancing and making profitable the site as much as possible.

• Project manager: The energy sector is by definition mobile and fluctuating and subject to radical changes. In this context, working in project mode is essential. An interim manager experienced in the management of complex projects will be able to take charge of the analysis of the current situation, the implementation of the action plan and the study of the results obtained.

The Interim Manager is in charge of ensuring the transfer of know-how and know-how necessary for the smooth running of projects. It must also define the conditions for setting up reliable and efficient energy production tools.

• Energy engineer: the Transition Manager will be responsible for making the link between the managers and the technical teams and guaranteeing the operational performance of the site. Faced with high-level technical issues such as the use of renewable energies, he often supervises a team of qualified technicians.

• CSR and OHS manager: the energy sector is sensitive, subject to rigorous legislation in terms of compliance with health and safety standards. The Interim Manager therefore intervenes on safety issues and more particularly in the areas of health, hygiene and production.

It is then up to him to ensure the implementation of the new work rules and the new organizational rules.

– Commercial Director: The energy sector is increasingly competitive, new players are emerging and must highlight their specificities to distinguish themselves in a very technical market. An Interim Manager is perfectly qualified to supervise and manage a team of salespeople, define a commercial strategy, set objectives and analyze the results obtained.

What profile for an energy transition manager?

• With significant experience in the energy sector, the Interim Manager has an engineering background specializing in energy. Masters in renewable energies, in particular, are increasingly appreciated by companies.

• The Transition Manager in the energy sector must stand out for his sense of organization, rigor and communication. He has a very important responsibility: he must help employees understand the challenges and opportunities for decisions that are sometimes difficult to implement, particularly with regard to renewable energies.

• The Interim Manager must obviously have a perfect command of the various aspects of the energy sector. He must be able to identify and understand the political, social and environmental issues of this sector subject to significant legal constraints, as well as the needs of the population. In this context, he must be a good negotiator and able to develop a relationship of trust with his interlocutors.

The role of the interim management firm is to recruit the appropriate profiles, to precisely identify the needs and expectations of the company and put it in touch with a Manager whose profile corresponds to the challenges.

What price for an energy transition manager?

The cost of an Interim Manager varies between 1500 to 3000€ per day in the energy sector depending on the position occupied, the size of the supervised team, the location of the site and the duration of the assignment.

It is the transition firm that will be responsible for defining the price of the Transition Manager, according to all these conditions.