Senior Project Manager – Solar Construction (Hybrid)

93Energy; Evanston (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical coverage

401(k) with company match

Generous PTO

Job summary

93Energy in Evanston, IL is seeking a Senior Project Manager Solar Construction to oversee commercial and utility-scale solar projects from pre-construction through field execution. Hybrid work arrangement; candidate must live within commuting distance in Illinois.

Responsibilities include permitting, interconnection, procurement, vendor management, and field leadership while ensuring safety, cost control, and compliance with regulatory frameworks. Travel up to 25% may be required.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of project management in commercial construction, with 4–6 years in solar or renewable energy.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel up to 25%.
• OSHA 10 required; OSHA 30 preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all pre-construction activities including permitting, interconnection, and design alignment.
• Source and coordinate procurement; manage bids, LOIs, and vendor communications.
• Coordinate with development, legal, engineering, and finance; ensure documentation and submittals are current.
• Oversee field leadership, labor coordination, and safety; track schedule and cost impact.
• Interface with accounting for billing, change orders, and project cost control.
• Oversee project closeout including O&M manuals and warranties.

Skills

Permitting

Interconnection

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's in Construction Management

Tools

Procore

Job description

Located in Evanston, Illinois, 93Energy started operations in 2018. 93Energy is proud to offer businesses in Illinois and around the country. We are seeking a Senior Project Manager Solar Construction who will be responsible for managing all phases of commercial and utility-scale solar construction projects. This comprehensive role ensures that all critical pre-construction milestones-including permitting, utility interconnection, procurement, and subcontractor readiness-are completed on time, on budget, and in full compliance with regulatory frameworks. Following mobilization, the role pivots to drive active field operations, cost controls, safety protocols, and quality assurance. This position directly oversees the site personnel, and junior project management staff. This is a hybrid position. Candidate MUST LIVE WITHIN COMMUTING DISTANCE. No Relocation Assistance provided if out of state. Learn more about 93Energy online at https://93energy.com/

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Pre-Construction Planning, Permitting & Interconnection

• Lead all permitting activities, including zoning, building permits, stormwater management, and environmental reviews.
• Interface directly with local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), specialized consultants, and internal engineering teams.
• Maintain comprehensive permit trackers and monitor critical path timelines to ensure zero project delays.
• Prepare and submit utility interconnection applications; coordinate technical studies, utility reviews, and final utility agreements.
• Track all utility fees, technical deliverables, and milestone schedules closely.
• Maintain rigorous project readiness checklists and operational tracking dashboards.
• Ensure safe harbor compliance and monitor investment tax credit (ITC) procurement thresholds.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders on design finalization, proactive risk mitigation, and complete schedule alignment.

Procurement, Subcontractor & Vendor Management

• Source and coordinate the procurement of long-lead solar equipment and materials; establish and maintain clean procurement logs for accounting records.
• Issue, negotiate, and comprehensively compare vendor/subcontractor bid-day quotes and Request for Proposals (RFPs) for civil, electrical, mechanical, and other specialized site work.
• Process Letters of Intent (LOI) when directed by the Estimator or Owner.
• Communicate project administrative requirements clearly with subcontractors and vendors after an LOI has been issued.
• Establish strong contacts and professional relationships with office and field staff of subcontractors and vendors while clearly setting expectations for work quality.
• Manage third-party engineering contractors to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of project plan sets.
• Manage equipment delivery timelines to guarantee perfect alignment with the master construction schedule.
• Coordinate subcontractor schedules and material/equipment releases to hit targeted on-site installation dates precisely.

Project Administration, Communications & Workflow

• Interface and collaborate across development, construction, legal, engineering, and financial teams.
• Conduct and attend formal turnover meetings from the Estimator to the project management team, including key site personnel.
• Represent the company as the direct, primary point of contact for the CM or GC management team.
• Assist the Project Administrator with specific project requirements needing submission, including tax-exempt documentation and required subcontractor/vendor forms.
• Maintain clean documentation and strict version control over all pre-construction and active construction deliverables.
• Request, review, and process submittals, RFIs, and shop drawings through digital construction management platforms (such as Procore, Aconex, or equivalent) for formal review.
• Communicate review statuses from the Architect/Engineer (A/E) and CM back to subcontractors and vendors, maintaining detailed records and follow-ups.
• Directly address and resolve any coordination or engineering concerns as they arrive from the CM.
• Monitor Architect's Supplemental Instructions (ASIs), Sketches (SKs), Proposal Requests (PRs), and RFI responses, maintaining an active, current log for review at all times.
• Process workflows resulting from changing job conditions from CM updates into the company's file directories and digital plan servers for clear turnover to field and office teams.
• Communicate and discuss all CM/GC-driven changes with management and field staff, reviewing each modification for potential financial or operational conflicts (+/-).

Field Leadership, Team Development & Labor Coordination

• Oversee and supervise the site Foremen, and all field personnel to ensure installations are executed safely and timely.
• Partner and coordinate directly with local union halls to secure a reliable labor supply. Oversee and process labor portability compliance and administrative requirements across varying jurisdictions in accordance with collective bargaining agreements.
• Supervise, mentor, and actively train Assistant Project Managers (APMs) and site assistants to foster professional development, operational excellence, and team growth.
• Update internal construction schedules and provide comprehensive 4-week look-ahead updates to subcontractors, vendors, and senior management.
• Accurately determine needed resources, including field manpower, materials, and heavy equipment.
• Track construction schedules continuously to advise of potential cost impacts or roadblocks, immediately informing subcontractors and suppliers when appropriate.
• Attend weekly PM meetings and relay all pertinent scheduling, resource, and safety data to the Field Operations and site Foremen.
• Verify internally and externally that all subcontractors and vendors are working off approved documents and have proper site clearance (including badges, insurance, PO execution, and site safety training).
• Verify that appropriate, mandatory training is in place for field personnel using heavy equipment or signing off on critical safety frameworks like scaffolding and stair towers.
• Ensure mandatory site Toolbox Talks are occurring regularly, reviewing labor utilization and scheduling constraints with the site Foremen, and field crews.

Financial Control, Change Orders & Accounting Collaboration

• Interface and collaborate with Accounting and Finance as necessary to ensure financial alignment.
• Code vendor invoices, field receipts, and subcontractors' AIA progress billings accurately for processing and payment per the terms of the subcontract.
• Communicate formal acceptance or rejection of billings and payment information clearly to subcontractors and vendors.
• Coordinate with accounting for formal AIA billing preparation, reviewing monthly progress billings for approval while tracking and communicating allowances.
• Summarize and submit detailed Time & Materials (T&M) work for change orders, following up with the Owner for official signatures and notarization.
• Prepare, submit, and monitor change order proposals and change orders, inputting them directly into the company's project accounting software.
• Finalize contract cost revisions in the project accounting software immediately upon receiving executed change orders.
• Issue official change orders to subcontractors and vendors when applicable, keeping the Owner informed of all requests and subsequent approvals.

Project Closeout

• Request, process, and submit final closeout documentation, including Operations & Maintenance (O&M) manuals, warranties, asset training records, and attic stock.
• Log all project materials and follow through diligently with completions and formal approvals, keeping the closeout log current at all times.
• Coordinate, track, and verify the successful completion of the project punch list.
• Conduct all project interactions in a professional manner that preserves and builds relationships for continued business with clients, CMs, GCs, Owners, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• 5-10 years of project management experience in commercial construction, with a minimum of 4-6 years of demonstrated experience in solar or renewable energy project management (ideally spanning pre-construction through active field execution).
• Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or equivalent practical work experience is highly preferred.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of utility interconnection pathways, AHJ permitting, procurement tracking, and full commercial construction documentation (RFIs, Submittals, Change Orders).
• Experience managing Field Operations, site personnel and Junior project management staff.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, digital document management tools, construction management software, and project accounting software architectures.
• Strong communication, leadership, team mentorship, contract negotiation, and vendor coordination skills.
• Must have a valid driver's license and the ability to travel up to 25% to project sites. Valid OSHA 10 training certification is required; OSHA 30 is highly preferred.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Base Salary: $120,000 - $155,000 per year (commensurate with experience).
• Benefits: Full medical coverage. 401(k) retirement plan with a company match up to 3% of salary.
• Paid Time Off: 3+ weeks of paid vacation, plus federal holidays and sick leave.
• Location: 1326 Greenleaf Ave, Evanston, IL 60202

93Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer AI may have been used during the recruiting process. See (link) to learn how.