Project Director, Solar & Battery Energy Storage

Duke Energy; United States; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy is seeking a Project Director to oversee the pre-construction delivery of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects. This role reports to the General Manager within the Project Management & Construction group, shaping scope, schedule, cost, and risk management across EPC contracts and internal stakeholders.

The PD will negotiate contractor and supplier agreements, lead cross-functional teams, and ensure projects transition to construction with low risk and on-schedule

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 9+ years of related work experience.
• HS/GED with 13+ years of related work experience as an alternative.
• Experience leading complex capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects after initiation and through contracting.
• Own pre-construction performance: scope, cost, schedule, risk, stakeholder alignment.
• Lead multidisciplinary matrixed project teams and coordinate across the organization.
• Serve as EPC contractor interface; hold contractors accountable for commitments and schedule.
• Coordinate owner scope, owner-furnished equipment, grid interconnection, and readiness activities.
• Establish project budgets, forecasts, contingencies, and contract execution; mitigate risks.
• Provide transparent project reporting to senior leadership and present risks/opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Project Management, or related field

High School/GED with 13+ years of related experience

Job description

Job Summary

This Project Director (PD) role is responsible for the predictable and successful pre-construction delivery of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage (BESS) projects, with activities beginning after project initiation, through funding approval, and culminating with construction kickoff with the selected contractor. Reporting to a General Manager within Duke Energy's Project Management & Construction (PMC) organization, the PD is responsible for setting up our most complex projects for timely and low-risk construction, to include establishing scope, schedule, cost, risk management, and stakeholder alignment. Instrumental to this position is successful negotiation of contractor and equipment supplier agreements that are vital to these large construction projects. Our projects are primarily executed through Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts and range in value between $100M and $500M. The PD leads a matrixed team of internal subject matter experts, originates the EPC contractor relationship, and integrates all owner responsibilities required for successful project delivery. This includes coordination with development, engineering, construction, transmission, operations, plant integration, project controls, supply chain, environmental, permitting, stakeholder engagement, and other support organizations to ensure owner-furnished equipment, grid interconnection requirements, operational readiness, and contractual obligations are successfully delivered. Build a Smarter Energy Future at Duke Energy Project Management & Construction (PMC) is responsible for building Duke Energy's next generation of power infrastructure and is supporting one of the largest capital investment programs in the company's history. As Duke Energy works to meet growing customer demand and advance a reliable, affordable, and increasingly cleaner energy future, PMC is actively constructing utility-scale solar generation, battery energy storage facilities, natural gas generation, advanced nuclear, pumped storage hydro, and other emerging energy technologies across the company's service territories. PMC serves as Duke Energy's owner organization for project execution, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to transform approved investments into operating assets. Our project leaders are responsible not only for construction delivery, but also for integrating engineering, operations, transmission, supply chain, regulatory, and commercial requirements necessary to safely place assets into service and deliver long-term value for customers. This role provides the opportunity to lead projects that are helping shape the future of the energy industry while working alongside experienced utility professionals, industry-leading EPC partners, and multidisciplinary teams across Duke Energy.

Responsibilities

• Lead utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects after initiation, through funding approval and contracting.
• Own pre-construction project performance, including scope, cost, schedule, risk, and stakeholder alignment.
• Lead multidisciplinary matrixed project teams and drive effective coordination across the organization.
• EPC Contractor Management Serve as Duke Energy's primary interface with EPC contractor leadership. Establish strong working relationships while holding contractors accountable for contractual commitments, schedule, and project outcomes. Lead resolution of project issues, recovery plans, claims, and commercial matters.
• Project Integration & Execution Readiness Coordinate owner scope, owner-furnished equipment, grid interconnection requirements, and operational readiness activities. Partner with internal project development teams to ensure projects that are originated will be constructed within scope, schedule, and cost expectations and within acceptable risk levels. Manage critical interfaces among EPC contractors, suppliers, transmission organizations, original equipment manufacturers, and internal stakeholders.
• Commercial & Risk Management With internal partners, establish project budgets, forecasts, contingencies, and execute contracts. Identify and mitigate project risks and ensure timely escalation of significant issues. Support resolution of commercial matters, contractor claims, and key business decisions.
• Executive Communication Provide transparent and accurate project reporting to senior leadership. Present project risks, opportunities, decisions, and recommendations clearly and effectively. Build confidence through proactive communication and issue management.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Project Management, or a related field and 9 plus years' related work experience.
• In lieu of Bachelors degree(s) AND 9 plus year(s) related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND 13 plus year(s) related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible experience leading complex capital projects.
• MBA, Master's degree, PMP, PE, AACE, or other relevant professional certification.
• Experience delivering utility-scale solar, battery energy storage, power generation, transmission, industrial, or other major infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing EPC, design-build, or similar contracting arrangements from an owner or contractor perspective.
• Experience managing engineering, grid interconnection, and/or operations of utility-scale generation assets.
• Familiarity with utility operations, project controls, commercial management, and contract administration.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel (up to 20%) is an essential function of this role. To develop and maintain relationships, the PD will be expected to travel to current and future project sites, visit supplier manufacturing locations, and attend internal and external face-to-face meetings as needed. Travel Requirements 15-25%.

Location

Location: Duke Energy Plaza, Charlotte, NC but other Carolina's locations may be considered by hiring manager. Selected candidate required to reside within a 50-mile radius of the listed work location.

Mobility Classification

Hybrid. Mobility Classification - Hybrid.

Relocation Assistance

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable) Yes

Visa Sponsorship

Visa Sponsored Position No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Diversity & Inclusion

Read about our commitment to supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Duke Energy values ideas that come from a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we’re dedicated to providing a work environment where all people are valued, respected and able to reach their full potential. Duke Energy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including but not limited to lactation, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military status, or protected veteran status. Duke Energy complies with all applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination.

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