Project Manager II - Solar Programs Outreach - (Hybrid - Chicago, IL - US)

Energy Solutions - USA; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

ESOP

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Energy Solutions is seeking a Project Manager II for Solar Programs Outreach in Illinois. The hybrid role based in Chicago involves leading outreach for distributed energy programs, managing budgets, client reporting, and ensuring on-scope, on-time delivery for high‑impact solar initiatives.

You will coordinate cross-functional teams, communicate with clients, and mentor junior staff while upholding quality and process standards to accelerate decarbonization efforts.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in project coordination, PM, or related role.
• Willingness to travel locally in IL 20–30%.
• Experience coordinating projects from initiation through completion within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Experience working cross-functionally with internal teams, clients, or partners.
• Strong communication skills for client and internal stakeholders.
• Strong writing and verbal skills for project documentation and stakeholder materials.
• Familiarity with solar incentive programs or ability to learn technical concepts quickly.
• Excellent organizational and PM skills: planning, tracking, dependencies, follow-through.
• Ability to delegate tasks across large teams with clear timelines.
• Proficient use of MS Office, Salesforce, and SharePoint for schedules and reports.
• Ability to work independently with moderate supervision and sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Manages design, implementation, and outreach for a complex program.
• Ensures delivery to scope, schedule, and budget with quality.
• Monitors progress from inception to completion and updates management and clients.
• Escalates challenges and risks to senior PMs or directors.
• Develops and manages program budgets; monitors financial performance.
• Tracks spending trends, forecasts, and mitigates financial risks.
• Builds and maintains client relationships to communicate scope, reach, performance, and impact.
• Presents program results and analyses clearly and professionally.
• Assigns work aligned with employee strengths and development goals.
• Mentors junior staff and provides guidance and task direction.
• Maintains QA across programs and ensures compliance with guidelines.
• Implements process improvements to optimize efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness.
• Applies knowledge of utilities, energy technologies, and market competitors.
• Uses data analytics and reporting tools to inform program decisions and outcomes.

Skills

Project management

Client communication

Budget management

Cross-functional collaboration

Microsoft Office

Salesforce

SharePoint

Tools

Salesforce

SharePoint

Microsoft Office

Job description

Project Manager II - Solar Programs Outreach - (Hybrid - Chicago, IL - US)

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 currently seeking a full‑time Project Manager II - Solar Programs Outreachlocated in Illinois to join our Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) Team. In this role you will assist with driving participation in programs that incentivize the adoption of distributed and community solar. You will be responsible for managing outreach for our largest client including budget management, client reporting, implementation oversight, and ensuring delivery to scope, schedule, and outreach targets. Solar energy is critical in driving our nation’s progress toward a decarbonized grid, and this unique market opportunity, paired with Energy Solutions' mission‑driven approach, creates a perfect environment for individuals who want to have an active voice in shaping the energy future.

The person filling this role will be required to work in a hybrid work environment from our Chicago, IL office and expected to be in the office a minimum of once a week.

Daily responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manages the design, implementation, and ongoing outreach for a highly complex program.
• Ensuresprograms are delivered to scope, schedule, and budget whilemaintainingquality standards.
• Monitors progress from projectinceptionto completion and communicates updates to management and clients.
• Escalates program challenges and risks to Senior Project Managers or Directors asappropriate.
• Develops and manages program budgets andmonitorsfinancial performance.
• Tracks spending trends, forecasts budget performance, and mitigates financial risks.
• Builds andmaintainsclient relationships to communicate program scope, reach, performance, and impacts.
• Presents program results and analysis in a clear and professional manner.
• Assignsproject work aligned with employee strengths and development goals.
• Mentors junior staff and provides guidance and task direction.
• Maintains oversight of quality assurance processes across programs and ensures compliance with program guidelines.
• Implements process improvements tooptimizeefficiency, accuracy, and program effectiveness.
• Applies knowledge of utilities, energy technologies, and market competitors to support program execution.
• Utilizes data analytics and reporting tools to inform program decisions and improve outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of 3 years of professional work experience in project coordination, project management, consulting, or a related role.
• Willingness to conduct frequent (20-30%) business travel locally in IL.
• Experience coordinating assigned projects or workstreams from initiation through completion within defined scope, schedule, and budget parameters.
• Experience working cross functionally with internal teams, clients, or external partners to gather inputs, track progress, and resolve issues.
• Strong professional communication skills, including the ability to interact with clients and internalpartnersand present project updates clearly and confidently.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare project documentation, summaries, and stakeholder-facing materials.
• Working familiarity with solar incentive programs or the ability to learn technical concepts quickly.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including planning, task tracking, dependency management, andfollow through.
• Ability to coordinate and delegate tasks across larger project teams under guidance, ensuring responsibilities and timelines are clearly communicated.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office, Salesforce, SharePoint to develop schedules, trackers, reports, and presentations.
• Ability to work independently with moderate supervision, exercising sound judgment to prioritizetasksand manage complex project requirements.
• Strong quality control practices, including reviewing deliverables for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with requirements.

The salary range for this role is $79,000–$92,000/annually with a target compensation of $79,000 - $87,400/annually 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.

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 [e-mail] .