Job Description

Return | OCC Team Lead | Full-time | Amsterdam HQ

About Return

Return is the leading European independent energy storage provider, committed to revolutionizing the energy sector. Headquartered in Amsterdam, Return offers innovative, sustainable solutions to store and intelligently manage energy, ensuring power is used efficiently when and where it's needed most. With a growing presence across Europe, Return is at the forefront of the energy transition, integrating large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) to support grid stability, renewable energy integration, and Europe's net-zero goals. Driven by a team of experts, Return aims to provide reliable energy storage that powers the future of clean energy.
To support our continued growth and ensure 24/7 operational excellence, we are looking for an Operations and Control Center (OCC) Team Lead to lead our operational control function. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will actively monitor and control our growing asset base while building and developing the OCC team.

Your Role

As OCC Team Lead, you will be responsible for the safe, reliable 24/7 operations of our battery energy storage assets across Europe. This is a hands-on operational role where you will work shifts alongside your team while providing leadership and ensuring operational excellence. Major responsibilities include:

• Operational Control: Actively monitor and control Return's BESS assets during operational shifts, ensuring safe and optimal performance at all times

• Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop a small team of OCC operators, fostering a culture of safety, reliability, and continuous learning

• Shift Work: Participate in the shift rotation, working alongside operators to maintain 24/7 coverage and lead by example

• Incident Response: Act as escalation point during critical incidents, coordinating response efforts and communication with stakeholders

• Process Improvement: Refine and optimize operational procedures, work instructions, and response protocols based on practical experience

• Coordination: Liaise with, customers, asset management, trading, maintenance, and technical teams to ensure smooth operations and effective issue resolution

• Knowledge Building: Help build operational knowledge within the team through training, documentation, and sharing of learnings

Your Profile

General Profile

• Strong safety mindset

• HBO (Bachelor's) level of thinking

• 5+ years of 24/7 leadership experience in control rooms, technical operations, or process operations

• Experience with shift work and 24/7 operational environments

• Calm under pressure with clear decision-making abilities during incidents

• Clear communicator in both Dutch and English (written and verbal)

• Familiarity with SCADA systems and remote monitoring platforms

• Willing to work in shift rotation including nights and weekends

Nice to Haves

• Experience with BESS, power plants, substations, or other energy infrastructure

• Working proficiency in Spanish and/or German

• Basic understanding of energy markets and grid operations

Our Offer

• Hands-on leadership role in a mission-driven company at the forefront of energy transition

• A unique opportunity to shape operational excellence in a growing company

• New, high tech, and comfortable OCC

• Working with cutting-edge energy storage technologies

• Supportive and collaborative team environment

• Professional development opportunities

• Competitive salary and benefits package including shift allowances

Application Process

• Introductory call

• Interview

• Personal meetings with people from the Asset management team

• Call with senior management

• Offer

Due to the nature of this role, a background check (screening) may be conducted as part of the application process.

Why join Return?

At Return, we don’t just talk about impact — we build it. You’ll join a passionate and skilled team where your contributions help shape real-world solutions and directly support a more sustainable future. Our entrepreneurial and collaborative culture is dedicated to accelerating the energy transition at scale.

No Recruiting

We do not work with recruitment agencies or external recruiters for our hiring process. Applications should be submitted directly through our careers page.