Senior Project Manager, Renewables

Trellis Group; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Employer paid Medical, Short Term and Long-Term Disability

Retirement plan with 5% employer matching

Generous PTO and Vacation Policy

Job summary

A leading sustainability organization is seeking a Senior Project Manager for their Renewables Program in Portland, OR. This role requires construction management expertise to oversee complex solar and energy efficiency projects from pre-development to closeout. Candidates should have at least 5-8 years of project management experience along with strong problem-solving and communication skills. The position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and a hybrid work schedule.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–8 years in project or program management.
• Experience managing solar PV or energy efficiency construction projects.
• Strong independent judgment and effective prioritization skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project budgets and ensure compliance with standards.
• Manage project execution from pre-construction to closeout.
• Develop and oversee compliance procedures for project requirements.

Skills

Construction management

Compliance expertise

Solar PV systems knowledge

Project management

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Project management software

Job description

Senior Project Manager, Renewables Program

BEF is seeking a Senior Project Manager for our Renewables Program who brings a strong blend of construction management expertise and compliance acumen. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, self-directed professional who can manage the full lifecycle of solar and energy efficiency construction projects — from pre-development through closeout — while maintaining rigorous adherence to grant, contract, and prevailing wage requirements. This person thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and is energized by the complexity of managing multiple projects, contractors, and compliance obligations simultaneously.

Beyond coordinating projects, this role requires someone who can think critically and problem-solve through project challenges, anticipate risk, and develop practical solutions that protect project timelines and budgets. The ideal candidate brings hands-on familiarity with solar PV systems and energy efficiency construction, and is motivated by the opportunity to deliver projects that create meaningful economic benefits for underserved communities across Oregon.

Primary Duties

Project Management

1. Oversee project and partner budgets, forecast financial needs, and ensure efficient, strategic use of resources in alignment with financial controls and compliance standards.
2. Oversee compliance with funding-source-specific reporting, wage, and labor requirements for Company projects and contractors.
3. Develop and incorporate contract provisions to ensure contractor adherence to grant terms, regulatory obligations, and funder requirements.
4. Establish and manage compliance procedures for federal and state prevailing wage compliance, including requirements associated with federal tax credits and applicable state labor regulations, and oversee documentation review and verification to ensure funding eligibility and audit readiness.
5. Support renewable energy project pre-development and development activities, including directing contractor work for site assessments, managing and tracking solar designs, and coordinating utility interconnection applications.
6. Manage project execution from pre-construction through closeout, including scope management, schedule oversight, subcontractor coordination, and site activity monitoring to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with contract requirements.
7. Proactively identify, elevate, and resolve construction-phase issues (including scope gaps, contractor performance concerns, design conflicts, and site conditions), developing practical solutions that protect project timelines, budgets, and compliance obligations.
8. Manage, comply with and track tax credit applications, reservations, and certifications and coordinate with other staff, FinOps and external partners to complete these activities.
9. Manage Operations and Maintenance of completed solar projects. Including compliance, program reporting, monitoring, directing corrective maintenance, and coordination with external stakeholders and FinOps for monthly payments and financial reconciliation.

Processes, Systems, and Data Management

1. Develop and oversee program workflow and compliance monitoring systems including project management and prevailing wage tracking software and other tools to maintain operational efficiency and defensible regulatory compliance.
2. Ensure partners, contractors and activities comply with funding requirements, reporting standards, and internal policies.
3. Evaluate and manage contracting and project development risks by interpreting grant and regulatory requirements, and implementing contract administration procedures and project controls that mitigate financial and compliance exposure.
4. Design and structure project implementation pathways, managing delivery risk and ensuring alignment with grant terms, funder requirements, and internal policies.
5. Identify compliance gaps and, in partnership with internal teams, develop and document standard operating procedures (SOPs) to address them.
6. Other projects and tasks as assigned by the Program Director.

Partnership Building

1. Manage project partnerships, contracts, budgets, and timelines, serving as a primary point of contact for contractors, subcontractors, and community partners.
2. Support capacity building and workforce development initiatives that position small, emerging, and nonprofit partners to successfully execute Renewables Program projects.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required or equivalent experience.
2. Minimum 5–8 years in project or program management, with increasing responsibility and a track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder construction projects.
3. Experience managing solar PV or energy efficiency construction projects, including familiarity with system design, installation sequencing, and coordination with utilities, engineers, and installers.
4. Experience interpreting or administering labor standards and contractor compliance requirements, including prevailing wage, apprenticeship utilization, Oregon BOLI, or similar state labor regulations.
5. Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, contracts, and compliance obligations across multiple concurrent projects.
6. Strong independent judgment and ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements for diverse audiences.
8. Strong interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Desired

1. Familiarity with energy efficiency measures such as weatherization, HVAC, and building envelope improvements, and associated construction workflows.
2. Experience working with diverse populations including tribes, community-based organizations, utilities, contractors, engineers, and local, state, and federal agency staff.
3. Experience building and maintaining partner and stakeholder relationships across industries.
4. Experience developing and implementing publicly funded programs and large-scale project deployments.
5. Ability to navigate diverse political, geographic, and cultural contexts.

What’s in it for you?

1. Salary Range: $88,000 – $102,000 per year DOE.
2. 100% Employer paid Medical, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Life insurance for employees; 75% subsidized for family/dependents.
3. Retirement plan with 5% employer matching contribution.
4. Generous PTO and Vacation Policy including alternative care and self-care leave.
5. Four Week paid sabbatical after first 6 years, then every 5 years thereafter
6. Opportunity to grow through training and development including a generous paid professional development budget.
7. Hybrid work schedule.

Location

Hybrid; Portland, OR

Bonneville Environmental Foundation is an EEO employer.