COO Italy
Pubblicato il 22-08-2026 - GÉNÉRALE DU SOLAIRE in Milano
About
Created in 2008, GÉNÉRALE DU SOLAIRE is a French independent producer of renewable electricity. Present across the entire value chain, the group is an expert in the development, engineering, construction, financing and operation of photovoltaic power plants. Backed by innovation and expertise in new photovoltaic technologies, GÉNÉRALE DU SOLAIRE offers solutions tailored to each market. In France and Italy, the Group manages all ground-mounted, pond-mounted, rooftop and shaded solar projects, from development to operation. GÉNÉRALE DU SOLAIRE employs 130 employees based in France and in Italy. The group generated €100M in revenue in 2025 and forecasts €140M in revenue in 2026 across all its activities.
GDS SOLE is the Italian branch of the GÉNÉRALE DU SOLAIRE Group. Headquartered in Milan with activities spanning across all Italy, it employs 9 people with a 450MW pipeline under development (of which 52MW already under operation).
Job Description
Reporting to the Managing Director Italy (CEO), the COO Italy supervises the development of the company’s activities across commercial, development and construction phases. He/She plays a key role in structuring and accelerating growth in the Italian market, acting as a true right hand to the Managing Director. With strong market expertise, the Operation Manager interacts with strategic stakeholders such as local authorities, partners, and key clients.
MAIN TASKS AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Commercial & Business Development
- Support the Managing Director in defining and executing the commercial strategy for the Italian market
- Identify, evaluate and secure new business opportunities, including partnerships,
project acquisitions and market expansion initiatives
- Lead or contribute to negotiations with clients, partners, landowners and investors
- Participate in the structuring of competitive offers, tenders and PPA negotiations
- Monitor market trends, regulatory evolution and competitor activity to proactively adapt the company’s positioning
Project support
- Oversee the full lifecycle of solar PV projects in Italy, from early-stage development to commissioning
- Ensure effective coordination between development, engineering and construction teams to guarantee project consistency and performance
- Monitor project planning, budgets and risk management, ensuring delivery on time, within scope and cost constraints
- Implement performance tracking tools to ensure operational excellence across all projects
- Anticipate and resolve operational bottlenecks, ensuring smooth execution across multiple concurrent projects
Stakeholder Management & Representation
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including local authorities, permitting bodies, regulators and strategic partners
- Represent the company in high-level meetings, public consultations and negotiations
- Ensure all projects comply with local regulations,
permitting requirements and administrative procedures
- Facilitate smooth communication between headquarters and local stakeholders to align strategic and operational objectives
- Manage sensitive or complex stakeholder situations, ensuring positive outcomes for the company
Leadership & internal coordination
- Act as a key relay and right hand to the Managing Director, contributing to strategic decision-making and operational steering
- Coordinate cross-functional teams in Italy, fostering collaboration, efficiency and alignment with group objectives
- Provide guidance, mentorship and operational support to team members to strengthen capabilities and performance
- Contribute to the structuring and scaling of the Italian organization in a high-growth environment
- Promote a culture of accountability, performance and continuous improvement
Preferred Experience
- Master’s degree in engineering, with specialization in energy
- 5-8 years’ experience in renewable energy, preferably solar PV
- Proven experience in the Italian market
- Strong experience in project development, construction or operations
- Strong knowledge of Italian regulatory framework
- Project management and execution skills
- Financial and commercial acumen
- Fluent in Italian and English, French would be a plus
- Leadership and team management
- Strategic thinking
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Autonomy and solution-oriented mindset
Additional Information
- Contract Type: Full-Time
- Start Date: 01 June 2026
- Location: Milano
- Education Level: Master's Degree
- Occasional remote authorized