Senior Project Manager

Energy Solutions
Chicago, IL

Who this role is best for

Best suited to candidates with advanced project management experience working in energy and climate solutions, who excel in cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder coordination.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with experience managing complex programs in energy and climate domains
    — “manages large, complex programs, projects, and client engagements”
  • Candidates who can demonstrate expertise in financial management and budget oversight
    — “Manage program budgets, forecasts, staffing plans, resource allocation activities”

Things to consider

  • This role likely demands a high level of independence and proactive issue resolution
    — “Working independently with limited supervision”
  • Strong client-facing skills are essential due to the primary contact role
    — “Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and key stakeholders”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in optimizing program execution and improving operational efficiency
    — “Optimize project-level procedures and implementation approaches”
  • Showcase your ability to identify and resolve complex workflow dependencies
    — “Anticipate and resolve complex operational exceptions”
  • Emphasize your track record in managing client relationships and stakeholder coordination
    — “Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, utility program administrators”
  • Demonstrate your ability to align program activities with strategic and regulatory goals
    — “Work with leadership and stakeholders to align program activities”
  • Show your experience in leading and mentoring project teams effectively
    — “Supervise/mentor cross-functional implementation teams”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • successful program delivery
  • cross-functional team management
  • client satisfaction
Typical background
project management experienceoperations management

Skills & requirements

Required

Project ManagementTeam ManagementStakeholder CoordinationFinancial ManagementOperational Oversight

Preferred

Continuous ImprovementStrategic Planning

About the role

Original posting from Energy Solutions via Greenhouse

Interested in joining a growing company where you will work with talented colleagues, enhance a supportive and energetic culture, and be part of the climate solution? At Energy Solutions, we focus on the big impacts. And we believe that market-based programs can be a powerful force to deliver large-scale energy, carbon, and water-use savings. Since 1995, we’ve harnessed that power to offer proven, performance-based solutions for our utility, government, and institutional customers.

Energy Solutions is seeking a Senior Project Manager manages large, complex programs, projects, and client engagements that require advanced project management expertise, stakeholder coordination, financial management, and operational oversight. This role is responsible for ensuring successful program delivery through effective planning, execution, risk mitigation, resource management, and client engagement while supporting client and organizational objectives. 

In addition, the Senior Project Manager manages Project Managers and project contributors, supports continuous improvement efforts, contributes to strategic planning activities, and advances operational excellence across assigned programs.  

Working independently with limited supervision, the Senior Project Manager manages program implementation efforts and cross-functional project teams and drives execution strategies that improve participant-facing operations, operational controls, documentation quality, delivery performance, customer participation, and program outcomes. The role identifies recurring operational issues and strengthens workflows, SOPs, quality controls, and delivery practices across assigned programs and workstreams. The role serves as the primary point of contact for clients and key stakeholders, proactively identifying challenges, resolving issues, and ensuring alignment across program activities. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

Manage and oversee large-scale, complex programs, projects, and client engagements from initiation through closeout while ensuring alignment with client objectives, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), contractual requirements, regulatory obligations, and organizational priorities 

Ensures execution of day-to-day program tasks (including timely maintenance of program information across CRM platforms), implementation of activities, delivery planning, and coordination across multiple workstreams 

Monitor and evaluate program performance, milestones, schedules, objectives, deliverables, and operational effectiveness 

Drive accountability for program outcomes, quality standards, client satisfaction, and delivery performance 

Anticipate and resolve complex operational exceptions, workflow dependencies, and delivery challenges across assigned workstreams, escalating material contractual, financial, or strategic risks as appropriate. 

Contribute to development and implementation of program strategies, annual work plans, operational priorities, and continuous improvement initiatives 

Optimize project-level procedures and implementation approaches that improve documentation consistency, participant experience, delivery quality, and operational efficiency 

Recommend and implement approved enhancements that improve operational effectiveness, participation outcomes, client value, and delivery performance 

Support innovation and continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to strengthen program execution, delivery practices, and organizational effectiveness 

Work with leadership and stakeholders to align program activities with evolving business and client needs 

Manage program budgets, forecasts, staffing plans, resource allocation activities, and financial reporting requirements 

Monitor financial performance, expenditures, utilization rates, labor allocations, and delivery costs to ensure alignment with contractual and organizational objectives 

Develop and maintain resource plans, implementation schedules, and operational forecasts 

Support proposal development, budgeting, scope definition, and business planning activities\ 

Review resource needs and recommend adjustments that support the achievement of program objectives 

Serve as the primary client-facing contact for assigned programs and strategic initiatives 

Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, utility program administrators, public-sector partners, trade allies, contractors, and internal stakeholders 

Facilitate client meetings, program reviews, performance discussions, and strategic planning sessions. 

Manage resolution of complex stakeholder and participant issues by coordinating across program teams, documenting decisions and corrective actions, and communicating outcomes to appropriate stakeholders 

Supervise/mentor cross-functional implementation teams by clarifying project objectives, priorities, responsibilities, and delivery expectations 

Mentor and support Project Managers, Project Associates, Coordinators, and other project contributors to strengthen project management capabilities, consistent applications of program requirements, SOPs, documentation standards and delivery performance 

Provide guidance on project management methodologies, stakeholder engagement, financial management, and program execution practices 

Promote consistent use of CRM platforms, project management systems, operational trackers, and approved documentation practices across assigned project teams 

Oversee quality reviews of program records, reports, participant-facing materials, and operational deliverables to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance 

Assess and mitigate program risks through proactive planning, issue management, corrective actions, and escalation where necessary 

Monitor and review adherence to established SOPs, KPIs, financial performance measures, quality indicators, operational metrics, and customer satisfaction outcomes 

Maintain reporting frameworks, governance controls, documentation practices, and quality assurance processes 

Exercise independent judgment when evaluating trade-offs, managing competing priorities, resolving issues, and making program delivery decisions 

Review quality findings, participant feedback, operational exceptions, and program-system trends to mitigate emerging risks and strengthen program delivery control and continuous improvement of governance practices 

Minimum Qualifications:   

Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, or related field  

8 years of experience managing complex programs, projects, or initiatives within energy efficiency, sustainability, consulting, utilities, or a related industry 

Demonstrated experience managing large-scale or complex client-facing programs with accountability for delivery performance, stakeholder engagement, budgets, and operational outcomes 

Experience leading cross-functional project teams and coordinating activities across multiple business functions and stakeholder groups 

Experience managing implementation efforts, client communications, financial performance, and operational execution 

Experience contributing to proposal development, scope of development, client presentations, contract modifications, and business development activities 

Experience overseeing participant-facing or transaction-based program operations, such as incentive or rebate workflows, customer support processes, eligibility or documentation reviews, or comparable regulated program activities 

Strong knowledge of project and program management methodologies, governance practices, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and operational planning 

Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex initiatives and balance multiple priorities simultaneously 

Demonstrated ability to apply and reinforce SOPs, documentation controls, quality assurance practices, and corrective-action processes across complex projects or program workstreams 

Ability to coach, mentor, and support project management staff while promoting continuous improvement, accountability, and delivery excellence. 

Strong client relationship management skills, including the ability to influence stakeholders, facilitate consensus, and manage competing priorities without direct authority 

Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate program data, budgets, KPIs, and performance metrics. 

Strong stakeholder management, negotiation, and problem-solving capabilities 

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including executive and client-facing presentations 

Experience developing reports, dashboards, executive summaries, and program performance analyses 

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Smartsheet, Monday.com, or similar project management platforms 

The salary range for this role is $92,000 - $125,000 with a target compensation of $92,000 - $106,250 based on experience and qualifications. 

Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a generous retirement package. Energy Solutions provides an excellent benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, other pre-tax contribution plans and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

AI Use

At Energy Solutions we believe in the importance of authentic interactions and equitable opportunities. We base our candidate selection on one’s own skills, knowledge, and experience. To ensure the integrity and fairness of our interview process, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools (including Generative AI) or other means to generate or assist with responses during interviews is strictly prohibited. This practice supports our commitment to create a transparent and equitable space where skills, knowledge and experience can truly shine.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Energy Solutions is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. We afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law. Energy Solutions conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Office Locations and a Remote Workforce

Energy Solutions operates as a predominantly remote workforce with offices in  six different locations. Employees who reside within 40 miles of an office (except New York) will be assigned to that location, though in-office attendance requirements may vary by team. At this time, we are not accepting applications from candidates residing in the following states: Delaware, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, and North Dakota.

Background Check Information

Information will be requested to perform the compulsory background check. A drug screen and authorization to work in the U.S. indefinitely are preconditions of employment. Energy Solutions is an equal opportunity employer.

Reasonable Accommodations 

Energy Solutions is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodations in completing this application, interviewing, and/or completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email accommodation@energy-solution.com.

Privacy Notice for Job Applicants 

Source: Energy Solutions careers (Greenhouse)

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