Project Manager – Utility-Scale Solar & Energy Storage
Location: Austin, Texas
Employment Type: Initial 9 months contract with possibility to be converted to permanent employee
The Project Manager owns the office-based management of utility-scale solar and energy storage projects from Notice to Proceed through Commercial Operation Date. This role receives project handoff from the Preconstruction Manager once a project moves into execution, and partners closely with the field-based Construction Manager, who leads day-to-day site execution. The Project Manager owns project budget, schedule, contract administration, and stakeholder reporting, serving as the central point of project management continuity through construction.
Responsibilities
- Project Handoff & Planning
- Receive project handoff from the Preconstruction Manager at Notice to Proceed, including pursuit documentation, contracts, and baseline budget and schedule.
- Confirm and formalize the project baseline schedule and budget, and set up internal project files, tracking tools, and reporting cadence.
- Participate in project kickoff and mobilization planning alongside the Construction Manager.
- Schedule & Budget Management
- Own the master project schedule, incorporating field progress updates from the Construction Manager to monitor performance against baseline.
- Own the project budget, including cost tracking, forecasting, and variance reporting.
- Review and approve contractor invoicing, pay applications, and change orders in coordination with the Construction Manager and Contracts.
- Contract & Commercial Administration
- Administer EPC and major subcontracts throughout construction, tracking commercial obligations and deliverables.
- Review Requests for Information (RFIs), submittals, and change requests from a commercial and schedule impact perspective.
- Coordinate with Contracts and Legal on contract interpretation, amendments, and support negotiation of change orders and claims.
- Stakeholder & Executive Reporting
- Serve as the primary point of contact for internal leadership on project status, risks, and financial performance.
- Prepare regular project status reports, dashboards, and executive updates, and coordinate stage-gate and milestone reviews.
- Maintain alignment between project execution and the commitments made during pursuit and contracting.
- Coordinate with Procurement on major equipment delivery schedules and logistics tied to the construction schedule.
- Track vendor commitments and flag schedule or budget risks tied to equipment delivery or supplier performance.
- Maintain the project risk register, proactively identifying and escalating schedule, budget, or commercial risks.
- Partner with the Construction Manager to resolve issues affecting execution, and support development of recovery plans when needed.
- Project Closeout & Handover
- Coordinate project documentation and financial closeout, including final change orders, retainage, and contract closeout.
- Support transition of completed projects to Asset Management, and capture lessons learned for future projects.
- Special Projects and Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned, including regular and ad-hoc reporting.
Qualifications
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field required.
- 5+ years of project management experience in utility-scale solar, energy storage, or broader construction or infrastructure required.
- Experience managing project budgets, schedules, and EPC or major subcontracts.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
- Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.
Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
- Strong understanding of EPC contract structures, change orders, and claims processes.
- Proficiency with construction scheduling tools (Primavera P6 or MS Project) and cost tracking and budgeting tools.
- Proficiency with Procore, SharePoint, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Strong financial acumen, comfortable owning project-level budgets and forecasts.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to translate field updates into clear stakeholder reporting.
- Strong organizational skills, able to manage multiple concurrent projects and competing deadlines.
- Structured, analytical problem-solving skills.
Working Conditions
- Onsite based role in Brownwood, TX
- May require extended hours during major milestones, contract negotiations, or reporting deadlines.
Typical Project Scope
Projects supported by this role typically include:
- Battery Energy Storage Systems: 50 MW – 300+ MWac