Project Manager (Utility Scale Solar)

Vanguard Energy Partners LLC; Branchburg Township (NJ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard Energy Partners LLC is seeking a Project Manager to lead solar, battery energy storage, and microgrid construction projects in New Jersey. The PM will oversee design review, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and turnover while ensuring safety and profitability.

Travel is required. The role requires coordinating with engineering and estimating teams, managing subcontractors and vendors, and maintaining schedules, budgets, and compliance with permits and regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• 5–7 years of project management experience.
• Electrical experience preferred.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage construction projects for PV, BESS, Microgrid installations and related systems.
• Review subcontractor/shop drawings for compliance with VEP specs.
• Create scopes of work and issue RFPs to subs/contractors.
• Review quotes, bids, and estimates for materials and labor.
• Log and respond to RFIs, document admissible information in written form.
• Ensure permits are obtained and properly displayed and closed out.
• Coordinate logistics, scheduling, and field services; maintain safety program.
• Manage project budget, cost reports, and cash flow; control changes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Harsh field conditions

Budgeting & cost controls

Scheduling & planning

Subcontractor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

The Project Manager (PM) is responsible for the successful management of the construction of Solar, BESS, and Microgrid projects while ensuring a safe workplace and profitability through the integrated performance of the team. This position will require travel.

The PM’s major responsibilities include design review, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and turnover. The utilization of strong contract administration, client relations, cost controls, financial management, schedule performance, quality assurance/ control, project administration, change control, and safety will be mandatory. Other responsibilities include environmental compliance, licensing, permits, public relations, labor relations, site security, and general site logistics will be relied on to the extent required for a successful project.

The PM is ultimately responsible for establishing the project’s objectives, the project plan, and the project budget and schedule. The PM provides the necessary direction to the project team to ensure satisfactory performance by the functional departments thru all phases of the project including closeout and final report preparation.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage construction projects for the installation of Photo Voltaic, Battery Energy Storage Systems, Microgrid, and other Distributed/Onsite Energy Systems.
• Review subcontractor and vendor Shop Drawings to ensure conformity with VEP specifications.
• Generate scopes of work and issue RFPs from trades/subcontractors.
• Review Quotes/Bids/Estimates for all materials and labor.
• Create, transmit and log RFI’s to properly document unclear work.
• Ensure all submitted RFI’s are responded to promptly and the information is properly cataloged.
• Confirm that all responses from the RFI process are in written form and meet the VEP standards.
• Ensure all permits are properly applied for, obtained, and properly displayed and maintained.
• Schedule and witness all inspections and ensure permits are properly closed out once passed.
• Assist with all utility interconnection and state incentive paperwork.
• Responsible for scheduling all labor, materials, onsite services, and inspections.
• Maintains a positive relationship with all parties involved to ensure delivery of the highest quality product.
• Communicates as required to ensure subcontractor and vendor work is being done by the contract.
• Ensure we have an executed contract with each subcontractor before the commencement of any work.
• Confirms that all necessary insurance coverage is in effect and documented.
• Save all project documents in the appropriate folders in the shared drives.
• Manage the project Superintendents to ensure a safe and quality project.
• Coordinate material and equipment logistics with the project superintendent.
• Creates and maintains a Microsoft Project schedule for the entire project and updates monthly.
• Reviews project schedule with leadership at monthly project review meetings.
• Interacts with Engineering and Estimating with feedback on estimates, cost, best practices, etc.
• Schedules monthly on-site internal VEP review meetings with O&M group to ensure smooth turnover.
• Be an active member of VEP’s safety program.
• Responsible to ensure costs are being properly coded, entered, and tracked in accounting software.
• Create a monthly report which accurately forecasts the estimated final cost
• Review cost report with the VP of Operations and/or President at monthly project review meetings.
• Generate and deliver project AIAs to Accounting and the client to ensure positive cash flow monthly.
• Directly manage all subcontractor(s) invoices and provide written support for any discrepancies.
• Provide direct guidance to Accounting on the release of funds and any progress payments due.
• Work directly with the VP of Operations, Accounting, and/or the President regarding all AP/ AR issues.
• Must be predictive and strategic.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in project management.
• Electrical experience preferred.
• A combination of education and appropriate experience will be considered.
• Adept at identifying goals, priorities, key personal and possible disruptions
• Will be required to effectively manage all essential job duties and meet assigned deadlines.
• Exceptional leadership skills and ability to work under harsh field conditions
• Ability to successfully manage owners, clients, inspectors, tradespeople, and other VEP personnel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly motivated, driven, and results-oriented, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to interact and communicate with people on all levels, under all conditions
• Strong organizational skills.
• A conceptual knowledge of Racking systems, Panels, Inverters, DC wiring, AC wiring, Interconnection, DAS, Battery, Gensets, Turbines, ATS, Switchgear, NEC, Rapid Shutdown will be beneficial