Senior Manager

Energy Solution; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 105,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Job summary

Energy Solutions is seeking a Senior Manager to lead planning, administration, and performance of major energy efficiency programs in the Chicago/Midwest region. You will set strategic direction, drive operational and financial performance, and advance program excellence with cross-functional teams.

You will build organizational capability, guide budgeting, and partner with senior leadership to ensure high-quality execution, QA/QC, and continuous improvement across programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, or related).
• 10+ years leading and managing complex programs or cross-functional initiatives in energy efficiency, utilities, sustainability, or related regulated industries.
• 5+ years leading teams with delivery outcomes and stakeholder alignment.
• Deep understanding of DSM energy-efficiency program design, delivery models, regulatory frameworks, and targets.
• Understanding of midstream program design with distributors and retailers to influence adoption.
• Proven ability to lead program management and service delivery across complex environments.
• Proven capability to manage budgets, forecasting, and profitability within a defined area.
• Ability to manage client relationships and ensure alignment on goals and performance.
• Strong written/verbal communication to present complex information to stakeholders.
• Ability to assess risks, make strategic decisions, and guide execution in ambiguity.
• Experienced developing executive-level client deliverables and dashboards.
• Demonstrated strength in risk mitigation, trade-offs, and high-impact solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence without authority.
• Experience managing subcontractors and delivery partners to meet budgets and outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Establish and evolve program frameworks, procedures, and quality standards for scalable success.
• Collaborate with Directors and cross-functional leaders to align priorities and execution.
• Design program-level operations to improve resource allocation and delivery efficiency.
• Analyze program performance, market conditions, and risks for strategic adjustments.
• Identify opportunities to enhance capabilities, expand services, and increase impact.
• Develop and review cost estimates, staffing plans, and delivery timelines.
• Forecast and monitor profitability with Finance for the solution area.
• Lead contract management to meet budgets and savings goals.
• Define roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations for staff.
• Mentor staff and Project Managers through coaching and feedback.
• Scale program capability by embedding best practices and standards.
• Manage strategic client relationships within the region for long-term partnerships.
• Advise clients on performance, risks, opportunities, and direction.
• Contribute to business development through proposals and client presentations.
• Identify growth opportunities with Senior Director oversight of contracting.
• Ensure regulatory, contractual, and internal policy compliance across programs.
• Monitor program KPIs, budgets, and delivery metrics for quality and timeliness.
• Design risk mitigation strategies and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Program management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Financial forecasting

Regulatory knowledge

Contract management

Risk assessment

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

10+ years program leadership

Experience in energy efficiency / utilities

Understanding of Demand Side Management

Midstream program design experience

Executive-level presentations

Job description

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 looking for a Senior Manager toleadthe planning, administration, and performance of major Energy Efficiency programs.This rolesets strategic directionanddrivesoperational and financial performancefor a defined book of business, with accountability for advancing both program excellence and sustained business growth within their domain.

In addition to program and client oversight, the Senior Manager builds and scales organizational capability by developing staff and establishing and evolving implementation standards.This role shapes budgeting practices for energy efficiency programs and works cross ‑ functionallyto developaccurateenergy ‑ savingsforecasts. The Senior Manager partners closelywithseniorleadership to guide program planning, strengthen delivery frameworks, and ensurehigh ‑ qualityexecution across teams. They oversee contract management,maintainstrong QA/QC standards, and drive continuous improvement to enhance program performance and operational effectiveness.

We are seeking candidates located in the Chicago/Midwest area, preferably with a strong understanding of the region's business landscape.

Responsibilities

• Establish and evolveimplementation frameworks, operating procedures, and quality standards to enable scalable and repeatable program success
• Influence and integratepractice-level priorities bypartneringwith Directors and cross-functional leaders to ensure coordinated execution across teams
• Design and implement program ‑ level operational strategies to improve resource allocation, delivery efficiency, and overall execution quality
• Analyze and interpretprogramperformance trends, market conditions, and risks toinformstrategic adjustments, strengthendeliveryandcontinuous improvement
• Identifyand advanceopportunities toenhance program capabilities,expand service offerings, enhance capabilities, and increase market impactand effectiveness of energy efficiency initiatives
• Develop and reviewcost estimates, staffing plans, and delivery timelines for client engagements and proposal efforts
• Partner withDirectors and Finance toforecast,monitor, and improveprofitability across the solution area
• Leadcontract management to ensure program budgets, performance targets, and savings goals are met
• Define and enforceroles, responsibilities, and performance expectations,holdingstaff accountable for outcomes
• Develop and mentorstaff and Project Managers through coaching, knowledge transfer, and structured performance feedback
• Build and scale–Develop program capability by coaching teams, embedding best practices, and reinforcing operational standards that improve delivery effectiveness
• Develop and managestrategic client relationships within the definedregionarea,ensuringlong-term partnership success
• Engage and adviseclients on program performance,risks,opportunities, and strategic direction
• Drive business development effortsbyleading or contributing toproposals, scopes of work, and client presentations
• Identifyand progressgrowth opportunities,collaborating withSeniorDirectorwhoretainfinal contracting authority
• Ensure compliancewith regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, and internal policies across all programs
• Monitor and evaluateprogram performance using KPIs, budgets, and delivery metrics to ensure quality and timeliness
• Design and implementrisk mitigation strategies anddrivecontinuous improvement across program operations

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, or a related discipline)
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experienceleading and managingcomplex programs, solution areas, or cross ‑ functional initiatives within energy efficiency, utilities, sustainability, or a related regulated industry
• Five or more years of experienceleading teams, initiatives, or programswith accountability for delivery outcomes, stakeholder alignment, and performance
• Deep understanding ofDemand SideManagementenergy ‑ efficiencyprogram design, delivery models, and regulatory frameworks, including how programs achieve savings,cost ‑ effectiveness, and compliancetargets.Understandingofmarket transformation principles and how program strategies influence long ‑ term shifts in technology adoption and market behavior
• Understanding ofmidstream program design and delivery, including engagement with distributors, manufacturers, andretailersto influence stocking practices and drive adoption of efficient products
• Demonstrated ability tolead and advanceprogrammanagement, and service delivery practices across complex program environments
• Proven capability tomanage financial performance, includingoverseeing budgets, forecasting outcomes, and driving profitabilitywithin a defined solution area
• Manage client relationships to ensure alignment on program goals, delivery expectations, and performance outcomes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability topresent complex information clearly and influence stakeholders at multiple levels
• Ability toassess risks, make strategic decisions, and guide executionin complex and ambiguous situations
• Strong analytical skills with the ability tointerpret data, market trends, and performance resultsto inform strategy and operational decisions
• Experiencedeveloping executive-level presentations, client-facing deliverables, and performance dashboards
• Demonstrated strength inanticipatingrisks, evaluating trade-offs, and recommending solutionsin high ‑ impact scenarios
• Strong stakeholder management capability, with the ability toinfluence without authority and sustain productive client relationships
• Manage subcontractors and delivery partners to ensure alignment with program requirements, budgets, and performance goals

Salary Range

The salary range for this role is $105,000 to $137,000, with a target compensation of $105,000 to $123,300 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] .