Sr Project Manager Battery & Solar Storage (Flexible Carolina's East Location Options)

Duke Energy Corporation; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Duke Energy Corporation in Raleigh, NC, is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects from approval to commercial operation. You will manage safety, scope, cost, schedule, quality, risk, and stakeholder alignment while guiding multidisciplinary teams and EPC partners.

The role emphasizes owner oversight, effective governance, and ensuring operational readiness, asset turnover, and seamless handover.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of related experience, or HS/GED with 11 years.
• Experience leading utility-scale capital projects.
• Experience managing EPC projects and owner/contractor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects from project approval through commercial operation and closeout.
• Own overall project performance, including safety, scope, cost, schedule, quality, risk, and stakeholder alignment.
• Coordinate with EPC contractors and internal stakeholders to ensure objectives are met and issues are resolved.
• Provide transparent project reporting to senior leadership.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

EPC contractor management

Risk management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA

PMP

Job description

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives. Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

The preferred location for this position is Raleigh, NC but the hiring manager will consider other locations from Greensboro, NC and eastwards.

The Senior Project Manager (SrPM) has single-point accountability for the safe, predictable, and successful delivery of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage (BESS) projects from project approval through commercial operation and project closeout.

Reporting to a General Manager within Duke Energy's Project Management & Construction (PMC) organization, the SrPM serves as the owner's lead representative and is responsible for overall project performance, including safety, quality, scope, schedule, cost, risk management, stakeholder alignment, commissioning, operational readiness, and asset handover.

Projects are primarily executed through Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts and range in value between $100M and $500M. The SrPM leads a matrixed team of internal subject matter experts, manages the EPC contractor relationship, and integrates all owner responsibilities required for successful project delivery. This includes coordination with development, engineering, construction, transmission, operations, plant integration, project controls, supply chain, environmental, permitting, stakeholder engagement, and other support organizations to ensure owner-furnished equipment, grid interconnection requirements, operational readiness, and contractual obligations are successfully delivered.

The successful candidate will maintain an owner's mindset, providing effective oversight and governance while ensuring both internal stakeholders and external contractors remain aligned on achieving project objectives.

Build a Smarter Energy Future at Duke Energy

Project Management & Construction (PMC) is responsible for building Duke Energy's next generation of power infrastructure and is supporting one of the largest capital investment programs in the company's history.

As Duke Energy works to meet growing customer demand and advance a reliable, affordable, and increasingly cleaner energy future, PMC is actively constructing utility-scale solar generation, battery energy storage facilities, natural gas generation, advanced nuclear, pumped storage hydro, and other emerging energy technologies across the company's service territories.

PMC serves as Duke Energy's owner organization for project execution, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to transform approved investments into operating assets. Our project leaders are responsible not only for construction delivery, but also for integrating engineering, operations, transmission, supply chain, regulatory, and commercial requirements necessary to safely place assets into service and deliver long-term value for customers.

This role provides the opportunity to lead projects that are helping shape the future of the energy industry while working alongside experienced utility professionals, industry-leading EPC partners, and multidisciplinary teams across Duke Energy.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership

• Lead utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects from project approval through commercial operation and closeout.
• Own overall project performance, including safety, scope, cost, schedule, quality, risk, and stakeholder alignment.
• Lead multidisciplinary matrixed project teams and drive effective coordination across the organization.

EPC Contractor Management

• Serve as Duke Energy's primary interface with EPC contractor leadership.
• Establish strong working relationships while holding contractors accountable for contractual commitments, safety performance, quality, schedule, and project outcomes.
• Lead resolution of project issues, recovery plans, claims, and commercial matters.

Project Integration & Asset Readiness

• Coordinate owner scope, owner-furnished equipment, grid interconnection requirements, and operational readiness activities.
• Partner with receiving asset owner organizations, plant integration teams, and operations personnel to ensure successful turnover and long-term asset performance.
• Manage critical interfaces among EPC contractors, suppliers, transmission organizations, original equipment manufacturers, and internal stakeholders.

Commercial & Risk Management

• Manage project budgets, forecasts, contingencies, change management, and contract compliance.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and ensure timely escalation of significant issues.
• Support resolution of commercial matters, contractor claims, and key business decisions.

Commissioning & Operational Turnover

• Lead commissioning, testing, startup, and commercial operation activities.
• Ensure assets are delivered safely, meet contractual acceptance requirements, and are ready for reliable operation.
• Support project closeout, warranty management, and lessons learned activities.

Executive Communication

• Provide transparent and accurate project reporting to senior leadership.
• Present project risks, opportunities, decisions, and recommendations clearly and effectively.
• Build confidence through proactive communication and issue management.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7 plus years work related experience OR,
• In lieu of Bachelors degree(s) AND 7 year(s) related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND 11 year(s) related work experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Project Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience leading complex capital projects.
• MBA, Master's degree, PMP, PE, AACE, or other relevant professional certification.
• Experience delivering utility-scale solar, battery energy storage, power generation, transmission, industrial, or other major infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing EPC, design-build, or similar contracting arrangements from an owner or contractor perspective.
• Experience managing grid interconnection, commissioning, and operational turnover of utility-scale generation assets.
• Familiarity with utility operations, project controls, commercial management, and contract administration.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

Travel Requirements

Regular travel is an essential function of this role. The Senior Project Manager is expected to maintain a visible presence at assigned project sites, contractor offices, equipment manufacturing facilities, and key stakeholder locations throughout the project lifecycle. Travel will primarily be within the geographic region supported by assigned projects; however, periodic travel outside the region should be expected to support project, supplier, portfolio, or business needs. The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel as required to effectively lead project execution and maintain strong field engagement.

Mobility Classification - Field

• Community Relations
• Finance
• Engineering
• Environmental, Health and Safety
• Enterprise Security
• Global Risk Management and Insurance
• Human Resources
• Quality
• Development
• Project Controls
• Construction Management
• Supply Chain
• Legal Department
• Project Management Center of Excellence (PMCoE)
• Operations
• Corporate Communications
• Regulatory and Compliance
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Fuels
• Others

Travel Requirements

50+%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable) Yes

Represented/Union Position No

Visa Sponsored Position No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.