Project Manager

Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE); San Diego (CA); Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Manager for U.S. Transportation Programs to lead a portfolio aimed at decarbonizing transportation sectors. This role involves managing project scopes, budgets, and schedules while coordinating internal teams to deliver high-quality results. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and project management skills, with a proven track record in client management. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to thought leadership and business development efforts within a dynamic and mission-driven environment. If you are passionate about sustainable transportation and have the skills to drive impactful projects, this is the role for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in project management and client relations.
• Strong leadership skills with a focus on transportation decarbonization.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project budgets, scopes, and schedules for transportation programs.
• Manage client relationships and ensure high levels of satisfaction.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Project Management

Critical Thinking

Problem-Solving

Client Management

Organizational Skills

Time Management

Research Skills

Communication Skills

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Tools

Asana

Teamwork

Projectmanager.com

Salesforce

MS Office Suite

Job description

The Manager, U.S. Transportation Programs, oversees the execution of a portfolio of projects and incentive programs aimed at decarbonizing the light-, medium-, and heavy-duty transportation sectors. The role’s primary responsibility is to manage the scope, schedule, and budget of multi-year projects and programs, coordinate internal matrix teams that support program operations, and maintain strong client relationships and high levels of customer satisfaction. The Manager will contribute to CSE’s thought leadership and support business development efforts and internal process improvement initiatives.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Manage program budgets, scopes of work, service level agreements and implementation timelines to ensure client satisfaction and contractual compliance.
• Manage client relationships, ensuring CSE is a responsive and trusted partner.
• Coordinate activities across CSE’s matrix teams to seamlessly deliver throughout all program life cycle phases.
• Provide critical reviews and ensure a high-quality standard on all work products.
• Prepare monthly client invoices for all work performed.
• Develop budget forecasts, track expenditures, identify monthly variances and consult with internal matrix teams, directors and the finance operations team to correct as necessary.
• Proactively identify program implementation risks and issues, escalate as necessary and take corrective actions.
• Develop long-term program strategies by creating program implementation plans, monitoring their execution, and regularly reviewing and making recommendations for adapting plans as needed.
• Familiarize themselves with relevant legislation and regulations for programs they oversee and ensure program compliance with statutes.
• Contribute to, and occasionally lead, business development efforts, including developing program budgets, drafting responses to solicitations, and identifying project partners.
• Support internal business process improvement initiatives.
• Supervise direct reports, setting performance goals and expectations, providing feedback and coaching for professional development.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Role Specific Responsibilities:

QUALIFICATION

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Required

• Strong leadership and project/program management skills, including mastery of the scope/schedule/budget “triple constraint”.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and strong attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and an ability to distill complex ideas into simple, easy-to-understand terms.
• Demonstrated proficiency in a client-facing customer service role and the ability to work positively with various individuals across departments.
• Proven track record of effective client management that includes the processes and strategies a business uses to build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with clients ensuring their satisfaction and loyalty for long-term success.
• General knowledge of transportation and built environment decarbonization issues, and fundamentals of market transformation and theory of change.
• Strong independent research skills and knowledge of applicable resources, including internet, regulatory and related industry documents.
• Strong organizational, time management and planning skills, and the ability to perform within required deadlines.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, changing priorities and complex assignments.
• Ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns.
• Entrepreneurial, problem-solving mindset.
• Demonstrated high-level of abilities in various project management tools such as Assana, Teamwork, and projectmanager.com.
• Fluency in using standard office software packages such as MS Office: PowerBI, Advanced Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as the ability to learn new software programs as needed.

Preferred

• Experience working with utility and/or state agency clients.
• Working knowledge of managing grant agreements and government contracts.
• PMP certification or equivalent.
• LeanSixSigma certification or equivalent.
• 3-5 years of experience in the clean energy or transportation industry.
• Experience with Salesforce and similar CRM platforms.
• Experience with advanced technology market transformation programs.
• Familiarity with clean transportation policies and landscape.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required; Master’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience.

Licenses, Certificates or Registrations:

N/A

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment:

• Works in a home (remote) or office environment.