Senior Technical Manager, Building Codes & Policy

Trellis Group; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) seeks a hybrid/remote Senior Technical Manager to lead Building Codes & Policy, expanding technical capabilities for codes, BPS and building policies across 13 states. You will develop resources, train officials, and represent MEEA as a technical expert in regulatory activities.

You will oversee projects, manage budgets, mentor staff, and build relationships with officials, utilities, and industry partners, while promoting energy efficiency across the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in engineering, architecture, building science, energy systems, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years in energy efficiency, building technologies, codes & standards, appliance or equipment performance, sustainability, or related technical areas.
• Deep understanding of energy codes (IECC, ASHRAE 90.1) and building science principles.
• Effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills, including explaining technical findings to non-technical audiences.
• Track record of designing and leading independent technical research.
• Hands-on experience with residential building energy modeling and cost-effectiveness analysis.
• Proven project management experience, including managing budgets, deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Prior experience directly supervising staff.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a hybrid work model.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver technical training for code officials, builders, design professionals, utilities, and policymakers across the region.
• Coordinate educational and outreach activities to increase awareness and understanding of building energy policy and programs, including the key role of energy efficiency.
• Develop new research concepts and lead research focused on energy codes, BPS, and intersecting research areas.
• Lead residential and commercial energy modeling and cost-effectiveness analyses of proposed codes, amendments, stretch codes and other building policies.
• Develop technical resources including compliance tools, code comparison documents, cost-effectiveness analyses, fact sheets and presentations to improve policy implementation.
• Track construction and building policy trends across the region to serve as a resource for MEEA membership and other MEEA staff.
• Serve as a primary technical representative in code development, code adoption and regulatory stakeholder proceedings.
• Be a regional thought leader on energy codes, BPS, and emerging energy efficient technologies and construction practices.
• Assist the BC&P Director in identifying and developing new strategic projects and initiatives to advance MEEA’s mission and maximize impacts.
• Manage several BC&P projects, including budgeting, reporting, managing subcontractors and ensuring deliverables are met.
• Supervise and mentor one to two BC&P staff, guiding their technical work and professional development.
• Build lasting relationships with state and local officials, utilities, industry partners, and MEEA members and staff.
• Escalate challenges, concerns, or barriers in a timely and constructive manner.
• Operate with a high degree of initiative, accountability, collaboration and adaptability.
• Demonstrate alignment with organizational priorities and decisions.
• Timely and clear communication.
• Model professionalism, collaboration and solutions-oriented leadership.

Skills

Energy codes

Building science

Technical research

Project management

Written & verbal communication

Leadership

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's in engineering/architecture/building science

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

EnergyPlus modeling

Job description

Organization Summary

Mission: The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is a collaborative network, promoting energy efficiency to optimize energy generation, reduce consumption, create jobs and decrease carbon emissions in all Midwest communities.

Vision: MEEA seeks an achievable pathway for all people and communities in the Midwest to receive the economic, environmental and societal benefits of energy efficiency and the larger clean energy economy.

At MEEA, we leverage our expertise to be the Midwest’s leading resource for our members, allies, policymakers and the broader energy sector to promote energy efficiency as the essential pathway to achieve a clean, affordable, equitable and sustainable future. We see energy efficiency as the least cost foundation of the clean energy economy, creating immediate energy savings, providing career pathways, reducing emissions, improving new and existing buildings and boosting Midwest business and industries. MEEA develops connections and engagement opportunities for a diverse group of organizations to collaboratively create practical solutions. MEEA serves as a technical resource and promotes program and policy best practices and highlights emerging technologies, all to maximize energy savings, reduce costs, improve resilience and lower energy burden.

Position Summary

MEEA is seeking a hybrid/remote Senior Technical Manager to join the Building Codes & Policy (BC&P) Team. This position will lead and expand MEEA’s technical capabilities and resources to help advance building energy codes and standards, Building Performance Standards (BPS), and other building policies at the local, state, and regional level across MEEA’s 13-state region.

In this role you will:

1. Develop content and train the code officials, builders, designers and policymakers necessary to ensure the benefits of building policies are realized in the Midwest
2. Lead new research and energy modeling-based analysis to inform building policy decisions
3. Develop new technical resources and tools that industry stakeholders rely on
4. Represent MEEA as a technical expert in building policy and regulatory activities

Success in this role requires a deep technical understanding of energy codes and building science, and the ability to convey complex information to audiences ranging from code officials to legislators. You will work closely with the BC&P Director and collaboratively across all of MEEA’s teams and broader portfolio of work.

What You’ll Do

Training & Education

1. Design and deliver virtual and in-person technical training for code officials, builders, design professionals, utilities, and policymakers across the region
2. Coordinate educational and outreach activities to increase awareness and understanding of building energy policy and programs, including the key role of energy efficiency

Research and Analysis

1. Develop new research concepts and lead research focused on energy codes, BPS, and intersecting research areas
2. Lead residential and commercial energy modeling and cost-effectiveness analyses of proposed codes, amendments, stretch codes and other building policies

Technical Resources and Tools

1. Develop technical resources including compliance tools, code comparison documents, cost-effectiveness analyses, fact sheets and presentations to improve policy implementation
2. Track construction and building policy trends across the region to serve as a resource for MEEA membership and other MEEA staff

Codes & Regulatory Engagement

1. Serve as a primary technical representative in code development, code adoption and regulatory stakeholder proceedings
2. Be a regional thought leader on energy codes, BPS, and emerging energy efficient technologies and construction practices

Project Management and Team Management

1. Assist the BC&P Director in identifying and developing new strategic projects and initiatives to advance MEEA’s mission and maximize impacts
2. Manage several BC&P projects, including budgeting, reporting, managing subcontractors and ensuring deliverables are met
3. Supervise and mentor one to two BC&P staff, guiding their technical work and professional development
4. Build lasting relationships with state and local officials, utilities, industry partners, and MEEA members and staff

Leadership Expectations

1. Escalate challenges, concerns, or barriers in a timely and constructive manner
2. Operate with a high degree of initiative, accountability, collaboration and adaptability
3. Demonstrate alignment with organizational priorities and decisions
4. Timely and clear communication
5. Model professionalism, collaboration and solutions-oriented leadership

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be expected to have the following minimum qualifications:

1. B.A. or B.S. in engineering, architecture, building science, energy systems, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience
2. Minimum 6 years of experience in energy efficiency, building technologies, energy codes & standards, appliance or equipment performance, sustainability, or related technical areas
3. Deep understanding of energy codes (IECC, ASHRAE 90.1) and building science principles
4. Effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills, including explaining technical findings to non-technical audiences
5. Track record of designing and leading independent technical research
6. Hands-on experience with residential building energy modeling and cost-effectiveness analysis
7. Proven project management experience, including managing budgets, deadlines and shifting priorities
8. Prior experience directly supervising staff
9. Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a hybrid work model

The following qualifications are preferred:

1. Advanced degree in relevant field
2. Experience with building design, construction, or project management
3. Experience developing and delivering training or presenting building science topics in a professional setting
4. Proficiency in residential and commercial building energy modeling (e.g., EnergyPlus)
5. Experience conducting energy and economic energy code analyses
6. Familiarity with BPS design and implementation

We recognize that qualified candidates bring different combinations of education, professional experience, and technical expertise. If you are excited about this role but do not meet every preferred qualification, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation & Benefits

The Senior Technical Manager, Building Codes & Policy position starts within an annual salary range of $85,000.00-$110,500.00. Compensation for a selected candidate will be commensurate with experience. MEEA offers a competitive employment benefits package that includes:

1. 10 days of annual leave in the first year, 8 days of sick/personal leave, 9 holidays and 3 floating holidays
2. Health insurance, including vision and dental insurance, and an employer sponsored healthcare reimbursement account
3. A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
4. 6 weeks of paid parental leave
5. Pre-tax commuter benefits and employer paid benefits such as term life and disability insurance

Work Location & Flexibility

MEEA operates in a flexible hybrid work environment, with an office in downtown Chicago. This position may be based in the Chicago area or work remotely.

We welcome fully remote candidates, with a preference for candidates within MEEA’s 13‑state region. While we value opportunities for employees to work together in person, we are equally open to qualified candidates who will work remotely.

The position requires travel of up to 25%, primarily within the Midwest, for trainings, stakeholder meetings, and conferences.

MEEA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination with regard to race, sex, gender, color, age, religion, creed, class, sexual orientation, national origin, and disability.