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

NextGenEnergyJobs; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Energy Solutions in Chicago, IL, is seeking a Project Manager II for Solar Programs Outreach. Hybrid role requiring 20-30% local travel, responsible for designing and implementing a complex program, managing scope, schedule, and budget, and building client relationships.

You will mentor junior staff, monitor progress, and communicate results to management and clients, using MS Office, Salesforce, and SharePoint.

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 internal partners and 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, and follow 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.

Responsibilities

• Manages the design, implementation, and ongoing outreach for a highly complex program.
• Ensures programs are delivered to scope, schedule, and budget while maintaining quality standards.
• Monitors progress from project inception to completion and communicates updates to management and clients.
• Escalates program challenges and risks to Senior Project Managers or Directors as appropriate.
• Develops and manages program budgets and monitors financial performance.
• Tracks spending trends, forecasts budget performance, and mitigates financial risks.
• Builds and maintains client relationships to communicate program scope, reach, performance, and impacts.
• Presents program results and analysis in a clear and professional manner.
• Assigns project 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 to optimize efficiency, 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.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Client relationships

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder communication

Data analysis

Tools

Microsoft Office

Salesforce

SharePoint

Job description

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

At Energy Solutions we believe in the importance of authentic interactions and equitable opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages the design, implementation, and ongoing outreach for a highly complex program.
• Ensures programs are delivered to scope, schedule, and budget while maintaining quality standards.
• Monitors progress from project inception to completion and communicates updates to management and clients.
• Escalates program challenges and risks to Senior Project Managers or Directors as appropriate.
• Develops and manages program budgets and monitors financial performance.
• Tracks spending trends, forecasts budget performance, and mitigates financial risks.
• Builds and maintains client relationships to communicate program scope, reach, performance, and impacts.
• Presents program results and analysis in a clear and professional manner.
• Assigns project 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 to optimize efficiency, 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.

Requirements

• 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 internal partners and 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, and follow 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 prioritize tasks and 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.