Chief Commercial Officer (Houston)

Samsung C&T Corporation was founded in 1938 and is the parent company of Samsung Group. It is a Global Business Partner and Lifestyle Innovator pioneering new trends in the construction, trading & investment, fashion and resort industries. Its Trading & Investment Group operates in over 40 countries managing energy projects and industrial commodities (chemicals, steel, materials). It acts as a specialized trader and developer, focusing on renewable energy (solar/wind/ESS), LNG and new business ventures such as data centers. In the United States, Samsung C&T Renewables has a track record of developing over 38GW of renewable energy projects since 2016. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, it currently manages a 20GW+ PV/BESS pipeline across 24 states, backed by a solid team of 100+ employees across the US and Seoul, South Korea. In addition, it has full development cycle capabilities, including in‑house site acquisition, real estate, permitting, interconnection, engineering, pre‑construction and much more. In Canada, Samsung has successfully developed, constructed, and continues to manage operation services for a 1.3GW solar+wind energy cluster.

About the Role

The Chief Commercial Officer (COO) is a key executive leadership role responsible for maximizing the commercial value of a portfolio of utility‑scale solar and battery energy storage (BESS) projects and leading enterprise‑wide revenue generation strategies. This position spearheads Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) origination, project and platform M&A evaluation, commercial optimization within major US wholesale power markets (ERCOT, CAISO PJM, MISO, SPP and etc), regulated market with utility companies, and the establishment of strategic partnerships. The CCO must work closely with the Development, EPC, Finance, and Legal teams to drive the successful Commercial Operation Date (COD) of projects and secure long‑term profitability. The initial portfolio includes six projects scheduled for construction in 2026–2027 (4 Solar + BESS hybrid and 2 standalone BESS projects).

Responsibilities

• Origination & Off‑take Strategy
  • Lead the negotiation, structuring, and execution of large‑scale PPAs and Tolling Agreements for corporate (C&I) and utility off‑takers.
  • Establish merchant exposure and hedging strategies to maximize profitability for both solar and BESS assets.
  • Proactively analyze market trends and regulatory shifts (e.g., Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Domestic Content Bonus) to integrate into commercial structures.
  • Analyze nodal pricing, basis risk, and interconnection delay risks across major US power grids (ERCOT, CAISO PJM, MISO, SPP and etc.) to drive pipeline development and prioritization strategies.
  • Optimize market participation strategies for BESS assets (Energy Arbitrage, Ancillary Services, etc.) and refine associated revenue models.
  • Monitor and respond to the commercial impact of ISO/RTO market rule revisions and policy changes on the portfolio.
• M&A & Strategic Transactions
  • Lead commercial due diligence for the acquisition of early‑stage pipelines, late‑stage projects, and platform‑level M&A.
  • Support overall risk assessment and valuation during new project acquisitions, including interconnection queue status, site control, and EPC feasibility.
  • Drive negotiations with strategic partners (co‑developers, tax equity investors, etc.) and lead Joint Venture (JV) structuring.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership
  • Lead and mentor the Commercial, Origination, and Analytics teams, fostering a high‑performance organizational culture.
  • Collaborate organically with Development, EPC, and Project Finance (PF) teams to resolve project bottlenecks (e.g., supply chain constraints, grid interconnection delays) and support successful business development.
  • Report commercial strategies, pipeline performance, and financial forecasts to the management.

Qualifications

• Required:
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in the renewable energy sector (specifically utility‑scale Solar and BESS).
• Proven track record of successfully structuring and closing complex PPAs and BESS Tolling Agreements for multi‑hundred MW projects.
• Deep understanding of the market structures, pricing dynamics, and interconnection processes of major US power markets (ERCOT, CAISO, PJM, MISO, SPP).
• Strong practical knowledge of M&A processes and extensive experience in commercial due diligence.
• Strongly Preferred:
• Exceptional negotiation skills and a robust industry network spanning utilities, C&I off‑takers, tax equity partners, and EPC contractors.
• Strategic thinking ability to interpret complex financial modeling results and leverage them to persuade executive leadership and investors.
• Crisis management skills with the ability to make swift and accurate decisions in a rapidly changing market environment (e.g., supply chain volatility, policy shifts).
• Fluent business communication and presentation skills.

Pay range and compensation package

The expected salary range for this position is $230,000 - $300,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the candidate’s experience, skills, education, and location. Samsung C&T Corporation also offers a comprehensive benefits package, performance‑based incentives, and opportunities for professional development.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Samsung C&T Corporation is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.