Corporate Planning Manager

Description

Title: Corporate Planning Manager
Department: Risk Management
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: Senior Director, Head of EPC Corporate Planning
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status: Hybrid

CORPORATE PLANNING MANAGER

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Qcells USA’s complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Development, Module, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.

SUMMARY

The Corporate Planning Manager drives planning discipline and operating cadence across the EPC Business Unit. This role manages weekly and monthly updates, partners with FP&A on close and forecast activities, manages governance (e.g., Delegation of Authority), coordinates cross-functional initiatives, and prepares executive reporting to HQ. The manager also supports market and competitor analysis, KPI tracking, and strategic workshops that translate corporate priorities into execution. This position works directly with leaders and teams across functions to complete key projects with a continuous-improvement mindset aligned to corporate culture and growth objectives.

This role reports to the Senior Director, Head of EPC Corporate Planning, or another senior leader designated by the CEO.

This position is located in Houston, TX and is in-office three (3) days per week. This position is based in Houston, TX and is in-office three (3) days per week. Working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time.

This position is expected to travel up to 20%.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

• 40% – Strategic Planning & Operating Cadence
• Oversee development-related activities across stage-gates (site control, interconnection, permitting, environmental, offtake/bid readiness), driving issue resolution and on-time milestone attainment
• Maintain and continuously improve governance frameworks (e.g., Delegation of Authority, approval workflows, stage-gate criteria) and deliver stakeholder training and compliance checks
• Translate corporate priorities into clear program plans, charters, and KPIs; track execution and escalate risks/decisions proactively
• 30% – Support Internal and External Communication
• Prepare executive-ready materials for C-suite/HQ updates (weekly, monthly, and semiannual) and executive/committee meetings, highlighting progress, risks, mitigations, and decisions required
• Coordinate HQ and affiliate communications (weekly/monthly updates, semiannual strategy workshops), consolidating cross-functional inputs and ensuring follow-through on actions and decisions
• 20% – Reporting and Analytics
• Lead project-specific workstreams and internal approval processes as process manager (e.g., DoA compliance, guidance, and training)
• Coordinate operational integration for new strategic initiatives; conduct market/policy/peer benchmarking to inform decisions
• 10% – Other Duties as Assigned
• Regular attendance per company policy; occasional travel (up to ~20%) to offices, partner sites, or project locations as needed
• Perform special projects and management requests tied to strategic initiatives and operational excellence
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Economics, or related field
• 7+ years progressive experience in corporate planning, strategy/operations, or project/program management
• Proven experience overseeing development-related activities (e.g., interconnection, permitting, environmental, offtake/RFP) and managing cross-functional execution
• Management consulting experience
• Demonstrated track record of delivering results in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with a high degree of professionalism
• Ability to lead projects independently—scope work, build plans, engage stakeholders, and drive outcomes
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills with executive presence; adept at simplifying complex, technical topics for decision-making
• Strong critical-thinking and analytical skills to navigate complex contexts and situations
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)
• Bilingual (English/Korean)—excellent verbal and written communication in both languages, with the ability to present and explain complex information clearly

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Project development experience in the renewable energy sector (solar, storage, wind) or EPC industry; other project-based development backgrounds (infrastructure, industrials, utilities, technology)
• Renewable energy or EPC industry experience highly preferred
• Master’s degree in Business Administration or related field

EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
• Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
• Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
• Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
• Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
• Travel: up to 10% as needed

EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regular professional, office business setting
• Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
• Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)
• Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department

Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by Qcells USA Corp are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations at hr-usa@qcells.com.